Compare
MP3 vs WAV
MP3 is a lossy audio coding format commonly used for compact delivery. WAV is a container often used for recording and editing, frequently carrying uncompressed PCM audio but capable of other encodings. Check the actual audio data and workflow requirements.
Which format should you choose?
Use MP3 for smaller distribution files when lossy encoding is acceptable; consider WAV for recording, editing, or exchanging PCM audio when the receiving workflow expects it.
Good fit for MP3
Music and speech distribution
- Sending compact listening copies to devices with broad MP3 support
Good fit for WAV
Recording and editing
- Keeping a source recording at a known sample rate and bit depth
Basic information
| Field | MP3 | WAV |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | .mp3 | .wav |
| MIME type | audio/mpeg | audio/wav |
| Common uses | Music and speech distribution | Recording and editing |
| How to open | Open with a standard media player or music app. | Open with a media player, DAW, or audio editor and inspect the stream properties. |
| Export or convert | Converting MP3 to WAV changes the container and decoded representation, but does not recover lost audio detail. | For distribution, export to a supported format such as MP3 while keeping the editing original. |
Choose by use case
Sending compact listening copies to devices with broad MP3 support
Music and speech distribution
MP3Keeping a source recording at a known sample rate and bit depth
Recording and editing
WAVKey point 1
MP3 discards some audio information to reduce size.
More on the differencesKey point 2
WAV is a container, not a guarantee that the audio is uncompressed PCM.
More on the differencesMore on the differences
Keep the original recording or a lossless master before making MP3 copies. Inspect WAV encoding, sample rate, bit depth, and channel layout; test the exported file in the target player or editor.
- MP3 is usually smaller and convenient for delivery.
- WAV is common in recording and editing workflows and can carry PCM audio.
- Converting a lossy MP3 to WAV does not restore the removed audio information.
Frequently asked questions
Is every WAV file uncompressed?
No. WAV is a container and can contain encodings other than uncompressed PCM; inspect the stream.