Convert and compress audio files in your browser. 100% free and private.

Want smaller audio files without ruining the sound? You’ve got two solid paths: lossless compression (no quality loss) or transparent lossy (no audible loss for most listeners). Here’s how to do both in your browser, free and fast.

What “without losing quality” really means

Lossless keeps the original data intact (perfect for archiving and editing). Transparent lossy removes inaudible data but sounds identical in practice for most ears—great for everyday listening with much smaller files.

Option A — True lossless compression (FLAC)

Converting WAV to FLAC typically cuts size by ~30–60% with zero quality loss. Use this if you want perfect fidelity or plan to edit later.

  1. Go to Free Audio Converter Online
  2. Add your files (WAV, AIFF, etc.)
  3. Select FLAC as output format
  4. Tip: keep channels and sample rate as in the source (don’t downsample if you need exact fidelity)
  5. Click Convert Files and download

Option B — “Transparent” lossy (tiny files, same perceived quality)

For portable listening and sharing, use settings that are effectively indistinguishable from the original:

Extra savings: downmix to Mono if the content is voice‑only and stereo isn’t needed.

Recommended settings in this tool

Batch & ZIP

Drag multiple files, convert them in one go, then click Download All as ZIP to grab everything at once.

✅ Try it now → Compress audio without losing quality

FAQs

Is FLAC smaller than WAV?
Yes — typically 30–60% smaller with identical quality.
Can MP3/AAC be truly lossless?
No. They’re lossy. But at high/transparent settings, most people can’t hear a difference.
What bitrate should I pick?
For music: MP3 VBR high or AAC 192–256 kbps. For speech: AAC 64–96 kbps mono works great.

Written by Free Audio Converter Online · Last updated: July 2025

Audio Glossary

Bitrate:

The amount of data processed per second in an audio file, usually measured in kbps (kilobits per second). Higher bitrate means better quality and larger file size.

Sample Rate:

The number of audio samples captured per second, measured in Hz. Common values are 44.1 kHz (CD quality) and 48 kHz (video standard).

Channels:

Audio can be mono (1 channel) or stereo (2 channels). Stereo offers a more immersive sound experience.

CBR (Constant Bitrate):

Encoding mode where the bitrate stays the same throughout the entire file. Predictable file size, lower efficiency.

VBR (Variable Bitrate):

Encoding mode where the bitrate varies based on audio complexity. Higher efficiency and potentially better quality at the same average bitrate.

Lossy Compression:

A type of compression that removes some audio data to reduce file size. Formats like MP3, AAC, and OGG are lossy.

Lossless Compression:

Preserves 100% of the original audio data. Formats like FLAC and ALAC are lossless and ideal for archiving or editing.

WAV:

An uncompressed audio format offering high quality but large file size. Suitable for editing or archiving.

FLAC:

A lossless compressed format that maintains original quality while reducing file size. Great for storage and high-fidelity playback.

MP3:

The most widely supported audio format, using lossy compression to balance quality and size. Ideal for casual listening and sharing.

Audio Format Compatibility

Compare common audio formats and choose the best one for your needs.

Format Compression Quality File Size Streaming Recommended For
MP3 Lossy Good Small ✅ General listening, sharing
AAC Lossy Better than MP3 at same bitrate Small ✅ Streaming, mobile
OGG Lossy Comparable to AAC Small ✅ Open-source use
WAV Uncompressed Excellent Very Large ❌ Editing, archiving
FLAC Lossless Excellent Large ❌ High-quality storage

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