Convert WAV to MP3
Convert WAV to MP3 right in your browser — free, private, nothing is uploaded. Pick a bitrate (32–320 kbps) and shrink the file dramatically.
Convert WAV to MP3 →Free · Private — runs in your browser, nothing is uploaded
WAV stores raw, uncompressed PCM samples — the audio equivalent of a bitmap. Files are huge, but every editor, DAW and operating system opens them without a second thought.
MP3 is the most widely supported audio format there is — a lossy codec that shrinks audio to a fraction of its uncompressed size and plays on virtually anything with a speaker.
Converting WAV to MP3 trades a sliver of fidelity for a dramatic drop in size: a WAV recording that hogs storage becomes an MP3 file you can email, message or stream. It's the classic move for sharing voice memos, publishing spoken audio and fitting a music library onto a phone.
WAV vs MP3
| WAV | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | lossless — nothing discarded | lossy — some detail traded for size |
| Codec / container | uncompressed 16-bit PCM in a RIFF container | MPEG Layer III audio |
| Typical file size | very large — roughly 10 MB per minute of 16-bit stereo | small — about 1.4 MB per minute at 192 kbps |
| Best for | editing, DAWs and audio production | sharing, podcasts and everyday listening |
| Strength | universal uncompressed PCM — ideal for editing | plays everywhere; small files |
| Watch out for | huge files for what they hold | lossy — encoding discards some audio detail to save space |
| Compatibility | universal — opens in every editor and OS | universal — effectively every device and app |
How the conversion works
- Choose your WAV file (up to 10 MiB). The button above opens the converter with MP3 already selected as the target format.
- Pick a bitrate between 32 and 320 kbps — the default 192 kbps is transparent for most material, and values outside the range are clamped.
- Run the conversion and download the result — the output keeps your filename with a .mp3 extension. Everything happens locally: the page runs ffmpeg compiled to WebAssembly, so your audio is never uploaded to a server.
What to expect
This step is lossy. The bitrate decides how much detail the MP3 keeps: 192 kbps (the default) is transparent for most music, 128 kbps suits voice recordings, and 256–320 kbps is the choice for archiving. Your WAV original keeps every sample, so hold on to it.
Embedded album art is dropped along the way: cover images ride along as a video stream, which audio-only outputs like MP3 can't carry.
FAQ
How much quality do I lose converting WAV to MP3?
At the default 192 kbps, MP3 is transparent for most listeners and most material — you'd struggle to tell it from the WAV original. Push the bitrate to 256–320 kbps for archiving, or drop to 128 kbps for voice recordings where size matters most.
What bitrate should I pick for the MP3 file?
The converter accepts 32–320 kbps and defaults to 192 kbps, which is a good balance for music. Use 128 kbps for voice where size matters and 256–320 kbps for archiving. Values outside the range are clamped.
Is my WAV file uploaded when converting to MP3?
No. The page downloads an ffmpeg WebAssembly build once, then converts your file locally in the browser tab — the audio never leaves your device. Input files up to 10 MiB are supported.