Compare
FLAC vs WAV
FLAC is a lossless compression format that can reconstruct the original PCM audio. WAV is an audio container commonly used for uncompressed PCM, but its internal codec should be checked.
Which format should you choose?
Choose FLAC to keep PCM audio reversible while reducing storage needs. Choose WAV when an editing or recording workflow calls for PCM delivery, and confirm the codec and audio parameters.
Good fit for FLAC
Music archiving
- Keeping a lossless master while making smaller listening copies
Good fit for WAV
Recording and editing
- Keeping a source recording at a known sample rate and bit depth
Basic information
| Field | FLAC | WAV |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | .flac | .wav |
| MIME type | audio/flac | audio/wav |
| Common uses | Music archiving | Recording and editing |
| How to open | Open with a FLAC-capable player, media library, or audio editor. | Open with a media player, DAW, or audio editor and inspect the stream properties. |
| Export or convert | Keep the original FLAC when making an MP3 distribution copy; lossy encoding cannot be reversed. | For distribution, export to a supported format such as MP3 while keeping the editing original. |
Choose by use case
Keeping a lossless master while making smaller listening copies
Music archiving
FLACKeeping a source recording at a known sample rate and bit depth
Recording and editing
WAVKey point 1
FLAC uses lossless compression and can reproduce the original PCM data after decoding.
More on the differencesKey point 2
WAV is a container; uncompressed PCM is common, but the extension alone does not identify its codec.
More on the differencesMore on the differences
Check sample rate, bit depth, codec, and support in the target player or editor. Do not assume every WAV is uncompressed or every device supports FLAC.
- FLAC often takes less space than WAV containing the same PCM audio.
- WAV is widely used for recording and editing handoffs; the required format depends on the software workflow.
- WAV files are often uncompressed PCM and convenient for editing, but can be large.
Frequently asked questions
Is WAV always uncompressed?
No. WAV is a container, so inspect the codec and audio parameters stored inside it.
Does converting WAV to FLAC reduce audio quality?
FLAC is lossless for supported PCM input, so decoding preserves the samples; verify that the conversion did not change bit depth or sample rate.