Compare
WAV vs Ogg
WAV is a RIFF-family container often used for uncompressed PCM recording and editing. Ogg is a container for audio and other media, commonly paired with codecs such as Vorbis or Opus for delivery. The extension alone does not identify the encoding or sound quality.
Which format should you choose?
Choose WAV for PCM production assets and workflows that expect it. Consider Ogg for compressed delivery when the target players support the codec inside.
Good fit for WAV
Recording and editing
- Keeping a source recording at a known sample rate and bit depth
Good fit for OGG
Audio distribution
- Serving an identified Vorbis or Opus stream to a compatible player
Basic information
| Field | WAV | OGG |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | .wav | .ogg |
| MIME type | audio/wav | audio/ogg |
| Common uses | Recording and editing | Audio distribution |
| How to open | Open with a media player, DAW, or audio editor and inspect the stream properties. | Open with an Ogg-capable player; if playback fails, inspect the internal codec. |
| Export or convert | For distribution, export to a supported format such as MP3 while keeping the editing original. | Before converting to MP3, check the original codec and audible effects of lossy re-encoding. |
Choose by use case
Keeping a source recording at a known sample rate and bit depth
Recording and editing
WAVServing an identified Vorbis or Opus stream to a compatible player
Audio distribution
OGGKey point 1
WAV is a container and often holds PCM, though other encodings are possible.
More on the differencesKey point 2
Ogg is a container; check whether its audio stream uses Vorbis, Opus, or another codec.
More on the differencesMore on the differences
For editing masters or broad production workflows, use the encoding and WAV variant required by the receiving tool. For distribution, select an Ogg codec supported by your audience's players. Compare codec, sample rate, bit depth or bitrate, and playback support—not just the filename extension.
- WAV commonly carries uncompressed PCM, but WAV is not itself a codec.
- Ogg can carry different codecs, whose compression and compatibility differ.
- File size and audio quality depend on the codec and encoding settings.
Frequently asked questions
Is every WAV file uncompressed?
No. WAV is a container that often carries PCM, but it can contain other encodings. Inspect the stream details.