WAV to MP3 Converter
Convert WAV to MP3 in your browser at 128, 192 or 320 kbps. A 3-minute WAV shrinks from 30 MB to about 4 MB. Free, private, no upload.
How it works
- Choose a WAV file.
- Pick a bitrate.
- Convert and download the MP3.
Tips
- 192 kbps suits most music, 320 kbps tracks you care about, 128 kbps speech.
- Keep the WAV as your master if you might edit the audio later; MP3 is for listening and sharing.
WAV vs MP3
WAV stores uncompressed PCM audio. CD quality (16-bit, 44.1 kHz, stereo) runs at 1,411 kbps, about 10 MB per minute. MP3 uses perceptual compression to drop detail most listeners cannot hear, so at 192 kbps the same minute is about 1.4 MB, roughly seven times smaller.
That makes MP3 the practical format for sharing, email, podcasts and phones, while WAV stays the format for recording and editing. MP3 is lossy: converting it back to WAV will not restore what was removed.
WAV to MP3: measured example
A 3-minute, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo WAV (30.24 MB), in desktop Chrome on an Apple Silicon Mac:
| Bitrate | MP3 size | Smaller by | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 128 kbps | 2.74 MB | 91% | 1.7 s |
| 192 kbps (default) | 4.12 MB | 86% | 1.5 s |
| 320 kbps | 6.86 MB | 77% | 1.5 s |
Which bitrate should I pick?
| Bitrate | Size per minute | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 128 kbps | 0.9 MB | Podcasts, voice-overs, audiobooks |
| 192 kbps | 1.4 MB | Music for listening and sharing |
| 320 kbps | 2.3 MB | Music you want as close to the WAV as MP3 allows |
High-resolution WAV and limits
24-bit and 96 kHz WAV files work: MP3 tops out at 48 kHz, so such files are resampled to 48 kHz automatically. Mono WAVs stay mono.
Files up to 500 MB on a computer, about 49 minutes of CD-quality WAV, and 100 MB on a phone, about 10 minutes. AIFF, FLAC, M4A and the audio track of any video convert the same way.
FAQ
What is the WAV to MP3 converter?
It compresses WAV audio to MP3 at 64–320 kbps in your browser: a 3-minute, 30 MB WAV becomes an MP3 of about 4 MB at 192 kbps. Your file is never uploaded.
How do I change a .WAV file to MP3?
Choose the WAV, keep 192 kbps or pick another bitrate, click Extract MP3 and download it.
How can I convert WAV files to MP3 on my iPhone?
Open this page in Safari or Chrome, choose the WAV from Files and tap Extract MP3. Files up to 100 MB work on a phone, about 10 minutes of CD-quality WAV.
What program can convert WAV to MP3?
Desktop apps such as Apple Music, Audacity and VLC can, once installed. This page converts in the browser with nothing to install.
Is MP3 quality good enough?
For listening, yes: at 192–320 kbps most people cannot tell an MP3 from the WAV on everyday speakers and headphones. Keep the WAV if you will mix or master the audio.
How much smaller will my file be?
About 86% smaller at 192 kbps for CD-quality audio: our 3-minute, 30.24 MB WAV became a 4.12 MB MP3.
Can I convert 24-bit or 96 kHz WAV files?
Yes. They are resampled to 48 kHz, the highest rate MP3 supports.
Can I convert several files at once?
Not yet: one file at a time. Each conversion takes a second or two for a typical song.