Compare Audio Formats
Explore all the audio formats supported by OfflineConvert and learn about their differences.
OfflineConvert lets you convert between all major audio file types directly in your browser. Whether you need lossless quality, efficient compression, or maximum compatibility, this comparison chart helps you choose the right format for your specific use case.
Understanding the differences between formats like MP3, WAV, FLAC, and AAC can help you optimize your audio for storage efficiency, quality requirements, or device compatibility while maintaining the audio quality you need.
Format Comparison
| Format | Compression | Browser Support | Audio Quality | Metadata | File Size | Notes | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MP3 | Lossy | Universal | Good | ✓ | Small (e.g., 3MB - 8MB) | Most widely supported audio format. Excellent for music and podcasts with adjustable quality. | Convert MP3 |
WAV/WAVE | Lossless | Universal | Perfect | ✓ | Very Large (e.g., 30MB - 50MB) | Uncompressed audio format. Excellent quality but very large files. Used in professional audio. | Convert WAV/WAVE |
OGG | Both | Modern | Perfect | ✓ | Small (e.g., 2.5MB - 7MB) | Open-source audio format with excellent compression. Better quality than MP3 at same bitrate. | Convert OGG |
AAC | Lossy | Universal | Good | ✓ | Very Small (e.g., 2.5MB - 6.5MB) | Advanced audio codec with better compression than MP3. Standard for iTunes and streaming services. | Convert AAC |
FLAC | Lossless | Modern | Perfect | ✓ | Medium (e.g., 15MB - 25MB) | Lossless audio compression. Perfect quality with file size reduction. Popular among audiophiles. | Convert FLAC |
M4A | Both | Universal | Perfect | ✓ | Very Small (e.g., 2.5MB - 6.5MB) | Apple audio format using AAC compression. Excellent quality and compatibility with Apple devices. | Convert M4A |
AIFF/AIF | Lossless | Limited | Perfect | ✓ | Very Large (e.g., 30MB - 50MB) | Apple uncompressed audio format. Excellent quality but very large files. Used in professional audio. | Convert AIFF/AIF |
Opus | Lossy | Modern | Good | ✓ | Extremely Small (e.g., 2MB - 5MB) | Modern audio codec with excellent compression. Very efficient for speech and music. | Convert Opus |
Universal audio format with excellent compatibility. Perfect for music, podcasts, and general audio.
Uncompressed audio format with perfect quality. Standard for professional audio recording and editing.
Advanced audio codec with superior compression efficiency. Standard for streaming and Apple devices.
Apple audio container format with AAC compression. Excellent quality and Apple ecosystem integration.
Apple uncompressed audio format with perfect quality. Standard for professional audio on Apple platforms.
Modern audio codec with superior compression efficiency. Excellent for streaming and web applications.
Recommended Formats for Use Cases
Best for Music
Optimal for music playback and storage
Best for Podcasts
Efficient compression for speech content
Best for Professional Audio
High-quality formats for recording and editing
Best for Web Streaming
Optimized for online audio delivery
Ready to Convert Your Audio?
Choose from any of the formats above and start converting your audio files instantly. No uploads required - everything happens locally in your browser.
Start ConvertingFrequently Asked Questions
For general music use, MP3 offers good compatibility and reasonable file sizes. For higher quality, use AAC for better compression or FLAC for lossless quality. Consider your storage space and quality requirements.
Lossy formats (MP3, AAC, OGG) remove some audio data to reduce file size, which may slightly reduce quality. Lossless formats (WAV, FLAC, AIFF) preserve all original audio data but result in larger files.
Newer formats use advanced compression algorithms that can achieve 20-30% smaller file sizes compared to MP3 while maintaining the same or better audio quality. This means more music on your device and faster streaming.
Check the "Browser Support" column in our comparison table above. Universal formats work everywhere, Modern formats work in recent browsers, and Limited formats have specific browser requirements.
For podcasts, use MP3 for maximum compatibility or AAC for better quality. For voice content, Opus is excellent as it's specifically optimized for speech and provides very small file sizes.
It depends on your needs. Convert to AAC if you want better quality at the same file size, or FLAC if you want lossless quality. However, converting from lossy to lossless won't restore lost quality - it's better to convert from the original source.
Yes! Our converter supports all the formats listed above. You can convert from any format to any other. Check the "Convert" links in the table for quick access to specific format conversions.
For MP3: 128-320 kbps depending on quality needs. For AAC: 96-256 kbps (AAC is more efficient than MP3). For FLAC: Use the highest available as it's lossless. For podcasts: 64-128 kbps is usually sufficient.
MP3 and AAC are universally supported on mobile devices. AAC offers better quality at the same file size. FLAC is supported on most modern devices but results in larger files. Consider storage space and quality preferences.
Audio formats are optimized specifically for audio content and provide better compression and quality than audio extracted from video files. For best results, use dedicated audio formats rather than extracting from video.