WAV to FLAC Converter
Inspect your WAV file metadata in the browser, compare WAV vs FLAC specs, and copy a ready-to-run FFmpeg command to convert losslessly.
WAV Metadata Inspector
Drop a WAV file to read its bit depth, sample rate, channels, and estimated FLAC size.
Convert with FFmpeg
Free, cross-platform, and preserves full bit depth automatically:
ffmpeg -i input.wav output.flac
Replace input.wav with your file path.
Download FFmpeg free at ffmpeg.org.
To force 24-bit output explicitly: ffmpeg -i input.wav -c:a flac -bits_per_raw_sample 24 output.flac
GUI alternatives
- Audacity — open file, then File > Export Audio > FLAC (free, all platforms)
- fre:ac — drag files in, select FLAC encoder, click Convert (free, open-source)
- dBpoweramp — best for batch conversions, Windows / macOS (paid)
- XLD (macOS) — X Lossless Decoder, converts WAV and CDs to FLAC (free)
Drop a WAV file on the left to inspect its metadata
No file is uploaded — everything runs in your browser
Reading WAV metadata...
Duration
—
Sample Rate
—
Bit Depth
—
Channels
—
WAV File Size
—
Bitrate
—
Estimated FLAC Output Size
Best case
—
~40% of WAV
Typical
—
~55% of WAV
Dense audio
—
~65% of WAV
Estimates vary by audio content. Classical / acoustic music compresses more; heavily limited electronic music compresses less.
Your FFmpeg Command
ffmpeg -i input.wav output.flac
WAV vs FLAC — Format Comparison
| Property | WAV | FLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | None (raw PCM) | Lossless (40–60% smaller) |
| Quality loss | None | None — bit-perfect decode |
| Max bit depth | 32-bit float / 32-bit int | Up to 32-bit integer |
| Max sample rate | Unlimited (spec) | Up to 655,350 Hz |
| Metadata / tags | Limited (INFO chunk) | Rich Vorbis comment tags |
| DAW support | Universal | Most modern DAWs |
| Device support | Universal | Wide but not all devices |
| Streaming | Not ideal (large files) | Supported (seekable) |
| Best for | Recording, DAW exchange | Archiving, distribution |
When to Keep WAV vs. Use FLAC
Keep WAV when...
- Sending files to a DAW or recording session
- Delivering stems to mixing engineers or clients
- Uploading to platforms that require WAV (some broadcast systems)
- Working with hardware that does not support FLAC
Use FLAC when...
- Archiving a large music library to save storage
- Distributing hi-res audio where metadata tags matter
- Playback on audiophile streamers (Roon, Plex, Naim, etc.)
- Backing up recordings where disk space is limited
Summary
Inspect your WAV file metadata in the browser, compare WAV vs FLAC specs, and copy a ready-to-run FFmpeg command to convert losslessly.
How it works
- Drop any WAV file onto the inspector panel to read its metadata via the browser File API.
- The inspector parses the WAV header to extract bit depth, sample rate, channels, and duration.
- An estimated FLAC output size is calculated based on typical 50–60% lossless compression ratios.
- The FFmpeg command block is updated with your actual filename for a one-click copy.
- Use the copied command in a terminal, or follow the Audacity / fre:ac GUI instructions below.
Use cases
- Reduce WAV archive size by 40–60% without any quality loss using FLAC.
- Prepare studio-quality 24-bit / 96 kHz WAV recordings for long-term FLAC archival.
- Check WAV bit depth and sample rate before importing into a DAW or mastering chain.
- Estimate how much storage a batch WAV-to-FLAC conversion will recover.
- Convert WAV files for playback on audiophile hardware that prefers FLAC containers.
- Verify stereo vs. mono layout and channel count without opening a DAW.
- Generate the correct FFmpeg command without memorizing flag syntax.
- Understand whether WAV or FLAC is the better choice for your specific use case.