How to convert MP3 to WAV
- Choose channels and sample rate – or keep them as in the file – and optionally a start and end time in seconds.
- Choose your MP3 files or drop them on the page.
- Listen to the WAV in the player, then download it – or all files together as a ZIP.
When do you need WAV?
- Audio editing: some editors, samplers and DJ software work best with – or only accept – uncompressed WAV.
- Audio CDs: burning programs often expect WAV in CD format: 44.1 kHz, 16-bit, stereo.
- Devices and systems: announcement players, phone systems, toys and some hardware only play WAV.
- Speech tools: many transcription and speech recognition programs prefer WAV input.
- Games and apps: sound effects are often added as short WAV files.
What converting to WAV can't do
MP3 compression permanently removes some sound information, and converting back to WAV cannot restore it: the WAV sounds exactly like the MP3, it is just uncompressed – and about ten times larger, roughly 10.6 MB per minute of CD-quality stereo.
| Setting | Choose |
|---|---|
| Sample rate | 44.1 kHz for CDs and music, 48 kHz for video projects, otherwise as in the file |
| Channels | Stereo for music, mono for speech or devices that need it |
| Format | Always 16-bit PCM – the most widely supported WAV format |
Frequently asked questions
Does converting MP3 to WAV improve the sound?
No. The WAV contains exactly the sound of the MP3. It only becomes uncompressed, which some programs and devices require.
Why is the WAV file so large?
WAV stores every sample without compression: about 10.6 MB per minute for CD-quality stereo, compared with about 1.4 MB for a 192 kbps MP3.
Which sample rate should I choose?
44.1 kHz for audio CDs and most music, 48 kHz for video editing. If you have no special requirement, keep the rate of the file.
Are my files uploaded?
No. The conversion runs in your browser, and your audio files stay on your device.