MP3 and WAV are the two best-known audio formats, and they're used for different things. Understanding the difference helps you avoid losing quality or filling up your storage unnecessarily.
WAV: uncompressed
WAV stores sound exactly as it was recorded, uncompressed. It's the preferred format for recording, editing and mixing, because it loses no information. The trade-off is that the files are huge.
MP3: compressed
MP3 cuts the size a lot by discarding parts of the sound the ear barely notices. That's why an MP3 is light, easy to send, and plays on practically any device. The cost is that what was discarded can't be recovered.
How big is one minute of audio
| Format | Approximate size per minute (stereo) |
|---|---|
| WAV (CD quality) | 10 MB |
| MP3 at 320 kbps | 2.4 MB |
| MP3 at 192 kbps | 1.4 MB |
| MP3 at 128 kbps | 1 MB |
A four-minute song in WAV is about 40 MB; as an MP3 at 192 kbps, under 6 MB.
Which to choose
- Editing or producing audio: work in WAV and export to MP3 at the end.
- Sharing, publishing a podcast or saving music: MP3 at 192 kbps or higher.
- Voice notes or interviews: MP3 at 128 kbps is enough.
- Equipment or programs that only accept WAV: convert with MP3 to WAV.
What to keep in mind
- Going from MP3 to WAV doesn't improve the sound; the file will be bigger, but it will sound the same.
- Converting back and forth between compressed formats gradually wears down quality. Always keep the original.
- To shrink a recording, use WAV to MP3 and choose the quality you need.
If your audio comes in another format, the audio to MP3 tool accepts most of the common ones.