Format comparison
AIFF vs WAV
By Suprabhat Updated How we write these
The short answer
AIFF and WAV hold exactly the same uncompressed audio, so they sound identical and are about the same size. AIFF is Apple’s and keeps song tags neatly in Music and Logic; WAV is the Windows and broadcast standard that every program on every system opens.
Audio Interchange File Format
Choose AIFF when
- Your library lives in Apple Music, Logic or GarageBand
- You want artist and title tags kept with lossless files
- Everyone involved uses a Mac
Waveform Audio File
Choose WAV when
- Windows, game engines, broadcast and most audio software
- Sending lossless audio to someone else
- Samples and stems for a mix or a producer
Side by side
| Property | AIFF | WAV |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Audio Interchange File Format | Waveform Audio File |
| Compression | Uncompressed | Uncompressed |
| Audio | — | — |
| Typical quality | 16-bit PCM | 16-bit PCM, 44.1 or 48 kHz |
| Typical size | About 10 MB a minute at CD quality | About 10 MB a minute at CD quality |
| Support | Almost everywhere | Opens everywhere |
| Opens on | Macs, iPhones and pro audio software; some Windows and web apps prefer WAV | Every computer, audio editor and DAW, and most phones |
| Best for | Audio production on Macs, and importing into Logic or GarageBand | Editing, mastering and software that insists on WAV |
| Introduced | 1988 | 1991 |
Watch out with AIFF
AIFF stores samples in the opposite byte order to WAV; tools that assume WAV turn it into loud static.
Watch out with WAV
A WAV made from an MP3 is ten times bigger but sounds exactly like the MP3; the lost detail doesn’t come back.
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Questions
Is AIFF better than WAV?
AIFF and WAV hold exactly the same uncompressed audio, so they sound identical and are about the same size. AIFF is Apple’s and keeps song tags neatly in Music and Logic; WAV is the Windows and broadcast standard that every program on every system opens.
Which is smaller, AIFF or WAV?
They are about the same size for the same content. AIFF: About 10 MB a minute at CD quality. WAV: About 10 MB a minute at CD quality.
How do I convert AIFF to WAV?
Use the free AIFF to WAV converter. It runs in your browser, so the file is never uploaded.
How do I convert WAV to AIFF?
Use the free WAV to AIFF converter. It works the same way, entirely on your device.
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MP3 vs WAV: which should you use?
WAV is uncompressed, perfect audio about ten times the size of an MP3. MP3 at 192 kbps or more sounds the same to almost everyone, so use it for listening and sharing, and WAV for recording, editing and mastering. - Format comparison
M4A vs MP3: which should you use?
M4A (AAC audio) sounds a little better than MP3 at the same bitrate and is the default for iPhones and iTunes. MP3 is older and slightly less efficient, but every car stereo, speaker and player ever made can play it. - Format comparison
FLAC vs MP3: which should you use?
FLAC is lossless: it keeps CD quality in roughly half the space of WAV. MP3 throws detail away to be about a fifth of FLAC’s size. Keep FLAC as your archive and convert to MP3 for phones, cars and sharing. - Format comparison
FLAC vs WAV: which should you use?
FLAC and WAV sound identical, bit for bit. FLAC is compressed without loss to about half the size and carries proper tags and artwork; WAV is uncompressed and opens in every audio editor.