Compare
MP3 vs FLAC
MP3 uses lossy audio compression to reduce file size; FLAC compresses audio losslessly and can restore the original PCM samples. Choose according to delivery size, playback support, and whether an editing or archival master must be preserved.
Which format should you choose?
Use MP3 when compact delivery and broad playback support matter; use FLAC for a lossless archive or source for future exports, and keep the original when making lossy copies.
Good fit for MP3
Music and speech distribution
- Sending compact listening copies to devices with broad MP3 support
Good fit for FLAC
Music archiving
- Keeping a lossless master while making smaller listening copies
Basic information
| Field | MP3 | FLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | .mp3 | .flac |
| MIME type | audio/mpeg | audio/flac |
| Common uses | Music and speech distribution | Music archiving |
| How to open | Open with a standard media player or music app. | Open with a FLAC-capable player, media library, or audio editor. |
| Export or convert | Converting MP3 to WAV changes the container and decoded representation, but does not recover lost audio detail. | Keep the original FLAC when making an MP3 distribution copy; lossy encoding cannot be reversed. |
Choose by use case
Sending compact listening copies to devices with broad MP3 support
Music and speech distribution
MP3Keeping a lossless master while making smaller listening copies
Music archiving
FLACKey point 1
MP3 discards audio information during lossy encoding.
More on the differencesKey point 2
FLAC can reproduce the input PCM samples after decoding.
More on the differencesMore on the differences
Keep a lossless source before creating MP3 versions. Compare the actual listening result and file sizes on intended devices; converting MP3 to FLAC does not restore discarded audio information.
- MP3 is a lossy coding format commonly used for distribution.
- FLAC is a lossless audio format suited to preservation and later conversion.
- A FLAC file is usually larger than a comparable lossy MP3, though size depends on content and settings.
Frequently asked questions
Will converting MP3 to FLAC improve its sound?
No. FLAC can store the decoded MP3 result losslessly, but cannot restore information removed by MP3 encoding.