Is converting FLAC to AIFF lossless?

Yes. FLAC is a losslessly compressed format — the decoder reconstructs every audio sample bit-for-bit. AIFF stores those same samples uncompressed in a PCM container. No audio data is changed or discarded during the conversion.

What is the fastest way to convert FLAC to AIFF?

Use FFmpeg: `ffmpeg -i input.flac output.aiff`. No codec flags are required — FFmpeg decodes FLAC and writes standard big-endian PCM into the AIFF container. For a specific bit depth, add `-c:a pcm_s24be` (24-bit) or `-c:a pcm_s16be` (16-bit).

Why is the AIFF file larger than the FLAC source?

FLAC compresses audio losslessly, reducing file size by 40–60% compared to raw PCM. AIFF stores uncompressed PCM data, so the AIFF output is always larger than the FLAC source. A 30 MB FLAC file typically produces a 50–80 MB AIFF, depending on duration, sample rate, and bit depth.

What bit depth should I use when converting to AIFF?

Match the source bit depth to avoid any resampling artefacts. If your FLAC was recorded at 24-bit, export a 24-bit AIFF (`pcm_s24be`). Use 16-bit only if you need CD-compatible output or you are distributing to consumer platforms. 32-bit float is rarely needed in AIFF since most DAWs perform 32-bit processing internally.

Does FFmpeg preserve metadata when converting FLAC to AIFF?

Yes. FFmpeg copies Vorbis comment tags from the FLAC file into AIFF metadata chunks by default. To suppress metadata, add `-map_metadata -1` to the command.

Can I batch-convert a folder of FLAC files to AIFF?

Yes. On macOS or Linux: `for f in *.flac; do ffmpeg -i "$f" "${f%.flac}.aiff"; done`. On Windows PowerShell: `Get-ChildItem *.flac | ForEach-Object { ffmpeg -i $_.FullName ($_.BaseName + ".aiff") }`.

FLAC to AIFF Converter

Name: FLAC to AIFF Converter
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Inspect a FLAC file in your browser, then follow the FFmpeg command guide or use the quality settings builder to convert FLAC to lossless AIFF.

Inspect a FLAC File

Drop a FLAC file to preview metadata and audio. Nothing is uploaded to any server.

Drop FLAC here or click to browse FLAC recommended; WAV, OGG, M4A also accepted

FLAC vs. AIFF — At a Glance

FLAC

Lossless compression (40–60% smaller)
Rich Vorbis comment metadata
Open standard, cross-platform
Not natively supported in Logic Pro / GarageBand

AIFF

Uncompressed PCM — zero decoding overhead
Native in Logic Pro, GarageBand, Pro Tools
Supports loop, marker, and instrument metadata chunks
Larger file size (uncompressed PCM)

Drop a FLAC file on the left to inspect it

Or scroll down to use the FFmpeg guide and quality builder directly

FFmpeg Command Builder

Choose your settings and copy the ready-to-run terminal command.

Input Filename

Output Filename

Output Bit Depth

Strip all metadata from output

ffmpeg -i input.flac -c:a pcm_s16be output.aiff

AIFF Bit Depth Reference

Bit Depth	FFmpeg Codec	Dynamic Range	Size / min (stereo 44.1 kHz)
16-bit	pcm_s16be	96 dB	~10.1 MB
24-bit	pcm_s24be	144 dB	~15.2 MB
32-bit int	pcm_s32be	192 dB	~20.2 MB

AIFF uses big-endian byte order. All sizes above assume stereo, 44.1 kHz, 60 seconds of audio.

Batch Conversion Commands

macOS / Linux (bash)

for f in *.flac; do ffmpeg -i "$f" -c:a pcm_s16be "${f%.flac}.aiff"; done

Windows (PowerShell)

Get-ChildItem *.flac | ForEach-Object { ffmpeg -i $_.FullName -c:a pcm_s16be ($_.BaseName + ".aiff") }

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Summary

Inspect a FLAC file in your browser, then follow the FFmpeg command guide or use the quality settings builder to convert FLAC to lossless AIFF.

How it works

Drop or select a FLAC file to load it into the browser audio engine.
The tool reads the audio stream and displays duration, sample rate, channel count, and file size.
Use the built-in player to preview the audio before converting.
Copy the generated FFmpeg command and run it in your terminal to produce the AIFF file.
Use the quality settings builder to customise sample rate and bit depth for your DAW.
Your file is never uploaded — all metadata reading and playback happens locally in your browser.

Use cases

Prepare lossless FLAC tracks for import into Logic Pro or GarageBand on macOS.
Convert FLAC music archives to AIFF for playback on Apple hardware and iTunes.
Supply AIFF files to sample libraries or instruments that require the format.
Round-trip between FLAC and AIFF without any quality loss.
Verify FLAC metadata (sample rate, bit depth, duration) before batch conversion.
Generate the correct FFmpeg command for scripted or automated batch conversion.
Understand file-size trade-offs between compressed FLAC and uncompressed AIFF.
Convert FLAC stems to AIFF for mixing sessions in Pro Tools or Nuendo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-09 · Reviewed by Nham Vu