Convert WAV to MP3 Online
Free, private WAV to MP3 converter. Your files never leave your browser. All processing happens locally on your device.
Drag & drop files here
images, PDFs, documents, audio, video, and more
No Server Uploads
FormatShift converts files directly in your browser. Your files never leave your device, so there's nothing to intercept or leak.
Instant Export
Files convert on your machine, so downloads are ready right away, even on slow connections.
High Fidelity
Good encoding keeps your files looking and sounding right, even at smaller sizes.
Built for Privacy
Your files are processed entirely in your browser. They never leave your device.
How to convert WAV to MP3
Drop your WAV file
Drag your file onto the converter above, or click to browse your files. Your files stay on your device.
Automatic conversion
FormatShift converts your file right in your browser using WebAssembly. No server involved, so your data stays completely private.
Download your MP3 file
Once the conversion finishes, click the download button and you are done. The converted file is ready to use.
Why convert WAV to MP3?
WAV files are huge because they store uncompressed audio. A 3-minute WAV song takes about 30 MB, while the same song as MP3 takes about 3 MB. Converting makes the file practical for sharing, uploading, or portable listening.
What is a WAV file?
Waveform Audio File Format: WAV stores audio without any compression. What you hear is exactly what was recorded, with no quality loss. The trade-off is large file sizes, a 3-minute song takes about 30 MB.
Created by: Microsoft and IBM, first released in 1991
Used for: Music production, audio editing, CD-quality masters, sound effects
Technical details: Uncompressed PCM audio. Supports various sample rates and bit depths. A standard CD-quality WAV uses 44.1 kHz, 16-bit stereo.
Compatibility: Plays on virtually every device and audio application.
What is a MP3 file?
MPEG-1 Audio Layer III: MP3 is the most widely used audio format. It uses lossy compression to shrink music files to roughly a tenth of their original size while keeping quality that most people find perfectly acceptable for everyday listening.
Created by: Fraunhofer Society, standardized in 1993
Used for: Music files, podcasts, audiobooks, portable audio, streaming
Technical details: Lossy compression with variable or constant bitrate. Common bitrates are 128, 192, and 320 kbps. Higher bitrate means better quality and larger files.
Compatibility: Plays on every device, browser, media player, and audio application in existence.
WAV vs MP3
| Feature | WAV | MP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Waveform Audio File Format | MPEG-1 Audio Layer III |
| Best for | Music production, audio editing, CD-quality masters, sound effects | Music files, podcasts, audiobooks, portable audio, streaming |
| Compatibility | Plays on virtually every device and audio application. | Plays on every device, browser, media player, and audio application in existence. |
| Pros | Perfect audio quality, no compression artifacts, widely compatible | Tiny file sizes, universal compatibility, good enough quality for most listeners |
| Cons | Very large file sizes, not practical for streaming or portable listening | Lossy compression means some audio detail is permanently removed |