What is .wav?
.wav (Waveform Audio File Format) is a raw or lightly compressed audio container developed by Microsoft and IBM. It is most commonly used to store uncompressed PCM audio, making it a standard for professional recording, editing, and archiving when maximum quality is required.
This quick guide explains when to use .wav files, how to open them on any device, and how to share them instantly with FileXhost.
When to use .wav files
- You are recording, mixing, or mastering audio in a professional workflow.
- You need lossless, uncompressed audio for editing or further processing.
- You are exporting stems or assets for other engineers, musicians, or sound designers.
- You need high-quality sound effects or samples with no compression artifacts.
How to open .wav files
WAV files open natively on all major operating systems using built-in players (Windows Media Player, QuickTime, Groove, etc.) and in virtually all digital audio workstations (DAWs). Browsers can play .wav files via the HTML5 audio element, and you can upload them to FileXhost to share or embed for high-fidelity playback.
Algorithm details
WAV is a container based on RIFF (Resource Interchange File Format). Most commonly, it stores PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) audio, which represents sound as a series of amplitude samples at a fixed sample rate and bit depth (for example, 44.1 kHz/16-bit or 48 kHz/24-bit). Because PCM is uncompressed, WAV files are large but preserve every detail of the recording.
Browser & platform support
- Desktop: Fully supported by modern browsers via the HTML5 audio element.
- Mobile: Supported on iOS and Android, though large file sizes may impact performance and data usage.
- OS: Native support on Windows, macOS, Linux, and most embedded systems.
Format comparison
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Quality | Lossless and uncompressed, ideal for production and archiving. |
| File Size | Much larger than MP3 or AAC for the same duration due to lack of compression. |
| Use Case | Best for editing, mixing, and sound design; less ideal for distribution. |
| Alternatives | FLAC offers similar quality with lossless compression and smaller file sizes. |
How to create wav files
- DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, FL Studio, Reaper.
- Audio Editors: Audacity, Adobe Audition, Sound Forge.
- Recorders: Hardware audio recorders and many field recorders (Zoom, Tascam).
- Export: Most audio tools can export final mixes or stems as WAV.
How to convert wav files
- FileXhost: Upload WAV for sharing or use your own tools to convert to MP3 for distribution.
- Desktop: Audacity, dBpoweramp, XMedia Recode (WAV ↔ MP3/FLAC/AAC).
- CLI: FFmpeg (ffmpeg -i input.wav output.mp3) or (ffmpeg -i input.mp3 output.wav).
Advantages & disadvantages
Advantages
- Uncompressed, lossless audio quality
- Ideal for professional production and detailed editing
- Widely supported in DAWs and audio tools
- Simple PCM structure makes it easy to analyze and process
Disadvantages
- Very large file sizes compared to compressed formats
- Not bandwidth-friendly for web or mobile streaming
- No built-in compression; storage requirements grow quickly for long recordings
Tools & software
Players
Windows Media Player, VLC, iTunes legacy, QuickTime, browser audio players
Editors/DAWs
Audacity, Adobe Audition, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Reaper, Ableton Live
Converters
FFmpeg, dBpoweramp, XMedia Recode, SoX
Frequently asked questions
Is WAV better than MP3?
For recording, editing, and archiving, yes—WAV preserves all audio detail with no compression. For everyday listening and distribution, MP3 or AAC is usually preferable because the files are much smaller and still sound good to most listeners.
Why are my WAV files so large?
Uncompressed PCM audio stores every sample without compression. A stereo 44.1 kHz/16-bit WAV is about 10.1 MB per minute. Higher sample rates or bit depths increase size further.
Should I use WAV or FLAC for archiving?
Both are lossless. WAV is simpler and widely supported in DAWs; FLAC offers lossless compression and smaller files. For production workflows, WAV is common; for long-term storage, FLAC is often preferred.
Can I upload WAV files to the web?
Yes, but due to their size, it’s usually better to use WAV for source/master files and convert to MP3, AAC, or Opus for streaming. FileXhost can host WAV files, but using compressed formats reduces load times and bandwidth usage.
Technical specs
- File type
- Audio
- Extension
- .wav
- MIME type
- audio/wav, audio/x-wav, audio/wave
- Compression
- Uncompressed
- Max file size on FileXhost
- Up to 25 MB per file on the free plan and up to 1 GB on Pro FileXhost accounts.
Share .wav files instantly
Upload your .wav file to FileXhost to get a clean, shareable URL in seconds. View the file in a modern browser, protect access with optional settings, and let others download it without any confusing ads or cluttered file pages.
Upload .wav file