WAV to MP3 Converter
Convert WAV audio to MP3 format.
Drop your WAV file here
or click to browse · max 500 MB
Settings
128k for speech · 192k for general use · 320k for music
FFmpeg WASM (~25MB) will be downloaded on first use and cached by your browser.
WAV to MP3 Converter
Converts uncompressed WAV audio to compressed MP3 format using the industry-standard LAME encoder. MP3 compression typically reduces file size by 90% while maintaining perceptually transparent quality. LAME VBR ensures optimal quality-to-size ratio.
What is it used for?
- Reducing audio file size for sharing and streaming (90% smaller)
- Converting recordings for music platforms (Spotify, Apple Music accept MP3)
- Podcast distribution - MP3 is the universal podcast format
- Mobile device storage optimization
- Email attachments (WAV files are too large for email)
Step-by-Step Guide
- Upload your WAV file
- Adjust audio bitrate in the settings panel
- Click 'Convert to .MP3'
- Preview the compressed audio
- Download your MP3 file - compare the dramatic size reduction
How it works
Upload a WAV file. FFmpeg encodes with LAME at VBR quality 2, producing approximately 190kbps average bitrate. This setting is considered transparent quality for most listeners.
Tips & Best Practices
- 192kbps VBR is the sweet spot for quality vs size
- For archival purposes, consider FLAC instead of MP3
- MP3 at 320kbps is practically indistinguishable from WAV for most listeners
Frequently Asked Questions
What bitrate should I use?
192kbps (default) is excellent for most uses. Use 128kbps for speech/podcasts, 256-320kbps for critical music listening. Most people can't distinguish 192kbps from lossless in blind tests.
How much smaller will the MP3 be?
Approximately 90% smaller. A 50MB WAV file becomes about 5MB as MP3 at 192kbps.
Is VBR or CBR better?
This tool uses VBR (Variable Bit Rate) which allocates more bits to complex passages and fewer to simple ones, resulting in better quality per file size than CBR.
Privacy & Security
This tool uses FFmpeg compiled to WebAssembly (WASM). The WASM binary (~25MB) is downloaded from a CDN on first use and cached by your browser. All file processing happens locally on your device - your files are never uploaded to any server. This makes it safe for sensitive, private, or confidential media files. Large files may take longer to process depending on your device's CPU and available memory.