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WAV vs FLAC

Comparing Waveform Audio File Format and Free Lossless Audio Codec - which format should you use?

	WAV	FLAC
Full Name	Waveform Audio File Format	Free Lossless Audio Codec
Extension	.wav	.flac
MIME Type	audio/wav	audio/flac
Category	audio	audio

WAV Pros

+Perfect audio quality (uncompressed)
+Universal support on all platforms
+No encoding/decoding artifacts
+Industry standard for audio production

WAV Cons

-Very large files (10 MB per minute at CD quality)
-No metadata/tag support in basic format
-Impractical for streaming or mobile use
-No compression

FLAC Pros

+Lossless - zero quality degradation
+50-70% compression vs uncompressed
+Free and open source
+Wide device and software support
+Supports metadata and album art

FLAC Cons

-Larger than lossy formats (MP3, AAC, OGG)
-Not supported by all portable devices
-No DRM support
-Streaming can be bandwidth-intensive

Use WAV when...

-Audio recording and production
-Sound effects libraries
-Master recordings
-Professional audio editing

Use FLAC when...

-Music archival and preservation
-Audiophile listening
-Music production masters
-CD ripping for highest quality

Learn more about WAV Learn more about FLAC