How to convert WAV to MP3
- Choose the MP3 bitrate and channels – and, if needed, start and end times in seconds.
- Choose your WAV files or drop them on the page. The conversion starts right away and shows its progress.
- Listen to the result in the player, then download the MP3 – or all files together as a ZIP.
WAV vs MP3: size per minute
| Format (stereo) | Data rate | Size per minute |
|---|---|---|
| WAV, 24-bit, 48 kHz | 2304 kbps | about 17.3 MB |
| WAV, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz (CD quality) | 1411 kbps | about 10.6 MB |
| MP3, 320 kbps | 320 kbps | about 2.4 MB |
| MP3, 192 kbps | 192 kbps | about 1.4 MB |
| MP3, 128 kbps | 128 kbps | about 1 MB |
A one-hour WAV recording in CD quality (about 635 MB) becomes roughly 86 MB as an MP3 at 192 kbps.
Choosing the settings
- Music: 192 kbps is the recommended default; 256 or 320 kbps for critical listening.
- Speech, interviews, lectures: 128 kbps and Mono are plenty.
- Sample rate: keep it as in the file unless a device needs 44.1 or 48 kHz.
- Multichannel WAV: MP3 has at most two channels, so surround recordings are mixed down to stereo.
Common WAV formats such as 16- and 24-bit PCM and 32-bit float are supported.
Frequently asked questions
Will the MP3 sound worse than the WAV?
MP3 removes sound details that are hard to hear. At 192 kbps or more, most listeners hear no difference in normal listening – but keep the WAV if you still want to edit or archive the recording.
Can I convert large WAV files?
Yes, up to 1.5 GB – about two and a half hours of CD-quality stereo. The audio is decoded in memory, so very long recordings need a computer with enough RAM.
Should I choose mono or stereo?
Stereo for music; mono for speech recorded with a single microphone, where both channels carry the same sound anyway.
Are my files uploaded?
No. The conversion runs in your browser, and your recordings never leave your device.