What is a WAV file?
WAV is audio stored exactly as it was recorded, with nothing thrown away. It is what you want while recording, editing or mastering, but the files are large, so it is rarely what you send to someone. You can convert WAV files here, both into the format and out of it.
Specification
| Full name | Waveform Audio File Format |
|---|---|
| Extensions | .wav, .wave |
| Media type | audio/wav |
| Compression | Uncompressed |
| Transparency | — |
| Animation | — |
| Multiple pages | — |
| Colour depth | 8 to 32 bit, any sample rate |
| Size limits | — |
| Introduced | 1991 |
| Developed by | Microsoft and IBM |
| Standard | Open |
| Browser support | Every browser, including older ones |
What WAV is used for
- Recording and multitrack editing masters
- Sample libraries and game audio assets
- CD authoring and broadcast delivery
- Any step where further processing will happen
Strengths and limitations
What WAV does well
- Exactly as recorded, with nothing to unpack before it plays
- Universally readable by audio software
- Sample-accurate editing without generation loss
Where WAV falls short
- Roughly ten times the size of a good MP3
- The classic format caps out at 4 GB per file
- Track titles and artwork are barely supported
Convert WAV to
Every target this format can be written out as, each on its own page.
Convert to WAV
Everything that can be turned into a WAV file.
Tools that accept WAV
Questions about WAV
What is a .wav file?
WAV is audio stored exactly as it was recorded, with nothing thrown away. The extension .wav or .wave identifies it, and its media type is audio/wav.
How do I open a WAV file?
Any current browser will open it directly, so dragging the file into a tab is usually enough. Most operating systems also preview it without extra software.
Is WAV lossy or lossless?
Uncompressed. Nothing is discarded, so repeated saves never degrade the contents.
What is WAV good for?
Exactly as recorded, with nothing to unpack before it plays. Universally readable by audio software. Sample-accurate editing without generation loss. In practice that makes it a good fit for recording and multitrack editing masters, and Sample libraries and game audio assets.
What are the drawbacks of WAV?
Roughly ten times the size of a good MP3. The classic format caps out at 4 GB per file. Track titles and artwork are barely supported.