Format comparison
MP3 vs WAV
By Suprabhat Updated How we write these
The short answer
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.
MPEG-1 Audio Layer III
Choose MP3 when
- Listening, sharing and uploading
- Podcasts, audiobooks and music libraries
- Storage or data are limited
Waveform Audio File
Choose WAV when
- Recording and editing in a DAW
- Sending to a mastering engineer or broadcaster
- Keeping a perfect master copy
Side by side
| Property | MP3 | WAV |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MPEG-1 Audio Layer III | Waveform Audio File |
| Compression | Lossy | Uncompressed |
| Audio | — | — |
| Typical quality | 128–320 kbps | 16-bit PCM, 44.1 or 48 kHz |
| Typical size | About 1 MB a minute at 128 kbps, 2.4 MB at 320 kbps | About 10 MB a minute at CD quality |
| Support | Opens everywhere | Opens everywhere |
| Opens on | Every phone, computer, car stereo, speaker and app | Every computer, audio editor and DAW, and most phones |
| Best for | Music and voice that has to play on anything | Editing, mastering and software that insists on WAV |
| Introduced | 1993 | 1991 |
Watch out with MP3
Converting a low-bitrate MP3 to 320 kbps makes it bigger without making it sound any better; what was thrown away is gone.
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 MP3 better than WAV?
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.
Which is smaller, MP3 or WAV?
MP3 is usually smaller for the same content. MP3: About 1 MB a minute at 128 kbps, 2.4 MB at 320 kbps. WAV: About 10 MB a minute at CD quality.
How do I convert MP3 to WAV?
Use the free MP3 to WAV converter. It runs in your browser, so the file is never uploaded.
How do I convert WAV to MP3?
Use the free WAV to MP3 converter. It works the same way, entirely on your device.
More format comparisons
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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. - Format comparison
OGG vs MP3: which should you use?
Ogg Vorbis is an open format that sounds a little better than MP3 at the same bitrate and is common in games and on Android. MP3 plays on far more devices, so it is the safer choice for anything you share.