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WAV FORMAT

WAV Converters

Convert audio files to and from uncompressed WAV format.

About WAV

WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) is an uncompressed audio format developed by Microsoft and IBM in 1991. It stores raw PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) audio data, preserving every sample from the original recording without any quality loss. WAV supports 16/24/32-bit depth, sample rates from 8 kHz to 192 kHz (commonly 44.1/48 kHz), and up to 65,535 channels. It's the standard working format for audio professionals in recording studios, broadcast facilities, and sound design workflows worldwide.

Learn more: WAV on Wikipedia

The main tradeoff is file size: a 3-minute stereo track at CD quality (44.1kHz, 16-bit) is approximately 30 MB. While this makes WAV impractical for streaming or portable devices, it remains essential for editing, archiving, and any workflow where audio quality is paramount. Converting to MP3 reduces file size by 90% or more while maintaining perceptually transparent quality for most listeners.

Quick Facts

Extension
.wav
Developed By
Microsoft / IBM
Year Introduced
1991
Compression
Uncompressed (PCM)
Bit Depths
8, 16, 24, 32-bit
Sample Rates
8-192 kHz
Channels
Mono, Stereo, Multi
Use Case
Professional Audio

Convert from WAV (3 tools)

Convert to WAV (9 tools)

WAV Guides & Articles