How to convert WAV to MP3
- Add WAV files. Drop one or more WAV files into the box above. Large files are fine.
- Choose MP3 quality. 192 kbps is recommended for music, and 128 kbps is plenty for speech.
- Convert. Press Convert to MP3 and watch each file's progress.
- Download. Save each MP3, or get them all in one ZIP file.
Why convert WAV to MP3?
WAV files from recorders, DAWs and CD rips are uncompressed and very large: about 10 MB for every minute of stereo audio. That's too big for most email attachments, slow to upload and quick to fill a phone. MP3 uses perceptual compression to remove detail the ear can't easily hear. A 50 MB WAV song becomes a 5–7 MB MP3 that sounds virtually the same to most listeners.
- Share recordings by email, WhatsApp, Telegram or Slack without hitting size limits.
- Publish podcasts and demos to platforms that prefer or require MP3.
- Save space on phones, USB sticks and cloud storage.
- Play anywhere: MP3 works in every car stereo and media player.
How much smaller will my files be?
| MP3 bitrate | Size vs. 16-bit stereo WAV | A 4-minute song |
|---|---|---|
| 320 kbps | about 4.4× smaller | ≈ 9.6 MB |
| 192 kbps | about 7.3× smaller | ≈ 5.8 MB |
| 128 kbps | about 11× smaller | ≈ 3.8 MB |
| 96 kbps | about 15× smaller | ≈ 2.9 MB |
Need files even smaller? The Audio Compressor can also switch to mono and lower the sample rate.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WAV to MP3 converter free?
Yes. Convert as many WAV files as you like, free and without an account.
Which bitrate should I use?
Use 192 kbps for music, 320 kbps if you want the highest MP3 quality, and 96–128 kbps for voice recordings.
Does it support 24-bit and 32-bit WAV files?
Yes. 16-bit, 24-bit and 32-bit float WAV files at common sample rates are all supported.
Are my WAV files uploaded?
No. Encoding runs in your browser, so large files convert quickly and privately without any upload.