WAV to MP3 Converter
Convert large WAV files to MP3 in your browser and make them up to 10 times smaller. Choose 128 to 320 kbps and trim the audio. No upload.
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Your files never leave your device
About this tool
This WAV to MP3 converter turns big, uncompressed WAV files into MP3s that are easy to email, upload and play anywhere. WAV stores every sample as raw PCM, so one minute of CD-quality stereo takes about 10 MB. The same minute as a 192 kbps MP3 is about 1.4 MB, roughly seven times smaller, and most listeners cannot hear the difference. The file is converted inside your browser, so unreleased songs and private recordings stay on your device.
How to convert WAV to MP3
- Drop the WAV file on the page or click to choose it.
- MP3 is selected. Pick 128, 192, 256 or 320 kbps.
- Optionally trim the start and end, or tick Mono for a spoken recording.
- Click Convert to MP3, listen to the result and download it.
How much space does MP3 save?
| Format | Size per minute | A 4 minute song |
|---|---|---|
| WAV, 24-bit 48 kHz stereo | about 16.5 MB | about 66 MB |
| WAV, 16-bit 44.1 kHz stereo (CD) | about 10.1 MB | about 40 MB |
| MP3 320 kbps | about 2.3 MB | about 9.2 MB |
| MP3 192 kbps | about 1.4 MB | about 5.5 MB |
| MP3 128 kbps | about 0.94 MB | about 3.7 MB |
Which bitrate should I pick?
A WAV is the best possible source, because nothing has been compressed yet. That means the MP3 quality depends only on the bitrate you choose:
- 320 kbps for finished mixes, masters you send to a client and music you want to keep.
- 192 kbps for demos, rehearsal recordings and anything you share in a chat.
- 128 kbps for interviews, voice-overs, lectures and phone call recordings.
Tips
- Email limits: a 25 MB attachment fits only about 2.5 minutes of CD WAV, but about 18 minutes of 192 kbps MP3.
- High sample rates: 88.2 or 96 kHz studio files are saved at 48 kHz, which is all MP3 supports.
- Surround WAVs are mixed down to stereo.
- Keep the WAV if you will edit the audio again. Converting an MP3 back to WAV does not restore the lost detail.
Have a video with the sound you need? Use the MP4 to MP3 converter. Need a voice-over from a script? Text to speech reads your text aloud.
Features
- Turns uncompressed WAV into MP3 up to 10 times smaller
- Choose 128, 192, 256 or 320 kbps
- Shows the sample rate and channels of your WAV first
- Trim silence or count-ins at the start and end
- Mono option for voice recordings
- Runs in your browser: the WAV is never uploaded
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert WAV to MP3 for free?
Drop the WAV file on this page, choose a bitrate such as 320 or 192 kbps and click Convert to MP3. The MP3 is created in your browser and ready to download, with no sign-up or watermark.
How much smaller is an MP3 than a WAV?
A CD-quality WAV uses about 10 MB per minute. At 320 kbps the MP3 is about 4 times smaller, at 192 kbps about 7 times smaller and at 128 kbps about 11 times smaller.
What bitrate should I use for WAV to MP3?
320 kbps for finished music and masters, 192 kbps for demos and sharing, and 128 kbps for speech such as interviews and lectures.
Will converting WAV to MP3 lose quality?
MP3 is lossy, so some detail is removed, but at 256 or 320 kbps it is very hard to hear. Keep the original WAV if you plan to edit or remaster the audio later.
Is my WAV file uploaded?
No. The conversion runs entirely in your browser on your device. Your recording never leaves your computer or phone.
Can I convert a very large WAV file?
Yes. There is no fixed size limit; it depends on your device's memory. Hour-long WAV files of several hundred MB work on most laptops.