How to Convert MP3 to WAV, and When You Should
Converting MP3 to WAV is one of the most common requests, and it is also one of the most misunderstood. Here is what it really does.
What it does
An MP3 stores compressed audio. A WAV stores the same sound as plain, uncompressed samples. When you convert MP3 to WAV, the converter decodes the MP3 and writes the result as PCM. Nothing is added: the WAV contains exactly what the MP3 sounded like, no better.
So converting MP3 to WAV does not improve quality. The detail the MP3 encoder discarded is gone for good.
Why convert anyway?
- Compatibility: many editing tools, devices, phone systems and datasets require WAV.
- Further editing: editing a WAV and saving it again does not compress the audio again, unlike editing and re-saving an MP3.
- Project specifications: voice-data projects usually ask for WAV at a given sample rate and bit depth.
How big does it get?
A lot bigger. A 128 kbps MP3 takes about 1 MB per minute. As a 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo WAV it takes about 10.6 MB per minute, roughly ten times more. As a 16 kHz mono WAV it takes about 1.9 MB per minute. See bit depth explained for the calculation.
Step by step
- Open the Sayvoi converter and add your MP3 files.
- Choose WAV as the output format.
- Set the sample rate and channels your project needs, or leave them on Original.
- Press Convert all, then download the files or use the ZIP button.
The WAV files written by the converter are 16-bit PCM.
Things to know
- MP3 decoders sometimes add a very short stretch of silence at the start, because of how MP3 is built. It is tiny, but it matters if your project asks for exact margins.
- If you have the original WAV or FLAC, use that instead of the MP3. Always convert from the best source you have.
Convert your audio files for free in your browser, without uploading them to any server.
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