Convert WAV to MP3 Online Free
WAV is an uncompressed, lossless audio format used in recording and production. MP3 is the most universally compatible lossy audio format for music and voice. FileConverter turns your WAV into MP3 online in seconds - free, privacy-first, and with no software to install or account to create.
Convert WAV to MP3
MP3 is already selected. Add your WAV file to start.
Documents
Images
Videos
Audio
Add a WAV file above to start the conversion.
WAV to MP3 compresses studio masters for distribution, podcasts, and email-friendly attachments.
What changes when you convert WAV to MP3
MP3 is a lossy format, so the file shrinks considerably compared with your WAV. Choose a healthy bitrate if fidelity matters; for casual listening the difference is usually inaudible.
About the WAV format
WAV stores raw, uncompressed PCM audio, delivering perfect fidelity at the cost of large files. It is the standard for studio recording, editing, and mastering before exporting to a compressed format. In everyday use, WAV is chosen for studio recording and editing, audio mastering source files and sound effects and samples. It opens in all audio editors and media players.
About the MP3 format
MP3 compresses audio to small sizes with quality that is more than good enough for most listening. It plays on every device and app, which is why it remains the default for music, podcasts, and voice recordings. In everyday use, MP3 is chosen for music libraries and playlists, podcasts and voice recordings and sharing audio that must play everywhere. It opens in every phone, browser, car stereo, and media player.
WAV vs MP3
WAV is best known for lossless, studio-grade quality, while MP3 stands out for plays on essentially every device. Choosing between them comes down to where the file needs to go next.
Common use cases
People convert WAV to MP3 for jobs such as music libraries and playlists, podcasts and voice recordings and sharing audio that must play everywhere. It is especially common when a WAV file arrives from one system but needs to work in another that standardises on MP3.
When to convert WAV to MP3
Reach for WAV to MP3 when your destination expects MP3 — for example music libraries and playlists, podcasts and voice recordings and sharing audio that must play everywhere. It is the right move when you receive a WAV file but the app, website, or person you are working with cannot use it. Bear in mind that lossy, so not ideal for mastering or archiving, so keep your original WAV if you might need it again.
How to convert WAV to MP3
- Upload your WAV file to the converter at the top of this page - MP3 is already selected as the output.
- Check the size limit shown on this page, then drag and drop or browse for your file.
- Confirm MP3 is still the target format, or pick a different one from the grid.
- Start the conversion and download your MP3 file the moment it is ready.
Quality tips
For voice and podcasts, a moderate MP3 bitrate is plenty. For music you plan to edit later, keep a lossless master before exporting to MP3.
Platform compatibility
The WAV to MP3 converter runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS - anywhere with a modern browser, with no plugins or permissions required. Once exported, MP3 opens in every phone, browser, car stereo, and media player.
File size limits
Video/audio up to 2GB
Troubleshooting
- MP3 is lossy, so each re-save loses a little more detail. Convert from your original WAV rather than from an earlier MP3 export.
- If the file exceeds the limit shown below, compress images, trim video, or split archives before retrying.
- If conversion fails, confirm the extension matches the real format — renaming a file alone does not change its contents.
- Converting a lossy file to a lossless format will not improve its sound quality.
Explore more: audio Conversion Hub · File format guides · All tools