Convert WAV to MP3 online for free. Reduce file size up to 90%. No software needed.
Drop your WAV file hereTap to choose your WAV file
or
Also supports M4A, FLAC, OGG, AAC, WMA, AIFF, OPUS • Max 100 MB
Drag and drop your WAV file into the converter above, or click Choose WAV File to browse your device.
Click Convert to MP3. Our server converts your file in seconds using high-quality encoding.
Click Download MP3 to save the converted file. That's it — no registration, no email required.
WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) is an uncompressed audio format developed by Microsoft and IBM. It stores raw PCM (Pulse-Code Modulation) audio data, preserving every detail of the original recording with zero quality loss.
WAV is the standard format for professional audio editing, music production, and CD mastering. The downside is file size — a 4-minute song at CD quality (44.1 kHz, 16-bit stereo) takes up approximately 40 MB, roughly 10x larger than an equivalent MP3.
MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer 3) is the most widely supported audio format in the world. Developed in the early 1990s, it became the standard for digital music distribution.
Every device, media player, car stereo, and operating system supports MP3 playback. MP3 achieves its small file size by using perceptual audio coding — removing sounds that human ears can't easily detect. At high bitrates (256–320 kbps), the quality difference from WAV is virtually inaudible.
| Feature | WAV | MP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | None (uncompressed PCM) | Lossy (perceptual coding) |
| Audio quality | Perfect (lossless) | Near-transparent at 256+ kbps |
| File size (4 min song) | ~40 MB | ~4–5 MB at 192 kbps |
| Typical bitrate | 1,411 kbps (CD quality) | 128–320 kbps |
| Device compatibility | All computers, most players | Universal (all devices) |
| Streaming/sharing | Impractical (too large) | Ideal for sharing and streaming |
| Metadata support | Limited | Full ID3 tags (artist, album, art) |
| Best for | Editing, mastering, archival | Sharing, playback, portable devices |
A 40 MB WAV file becomes a 4 MB MP3 with no perceptible quality loss at high bitrates. This saves storage space and makes files practical to share via email, messaging apps, or cloud storage.
While WAV plays on most computers, many portable devices, car stereos, and web platforms prefer or require MP3. Converting ensures your audio works everywhere.
Smaller MP3 files upload and download 10x faster than WAV. This matters when sharing files online, uploading to websites, or sending via email attachments with size limits.
MP3's ID3 tags let you embed artist name, album title, track number, and album art directly in the file. WAV has limited metadata support, making MP3 better for music libraries.