What is a CAF file?
CAF stands for Core Audio Format. It was created by Apple and first released in 2005. CAF is Apple's container with no practical size limit, while WAV and AIFF stop at 4 GB. It shows up mostly in iOS development and GarageBand projects.
| Type | audio |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy or lossless |
| Usually contains | PCM, AAC, ALAC, Opus and others |
| In a browser | plays in Safari and Apple apps; not in Chrome or Firefox |
| Common uses | GarageBand loops, iOS app sounds and long recordings |
| MIME type | audio/x-caf |
Which format should you convert CAF to?
- CAF to MP3 to play on any device, car stereo or website.
- CAF to M4A for iPhone, iTunes and Apple Music.
- CAF to WAV to edit in an audio editor or burn to CD.
- CAF to MP4 to upload somewhere that only accepts video.
CAF is lossy or lossless depending on how it was saved, so check what a program needs before converting.
How to open a CAF file
Whether a CAF file opens with a double click depends on the device. Here is what works on each, without buying software:
| Windows | Films and TV and Media Player open the common formats; VLC opens almost any audio file, CAF included. |
|---|---|
| Mac | QuickTime Player opens formats Apple supports; VLC or IINA open the rest. |
| iPhone and iPad | The Files app plays formats Apple supports. For others, a player such as VLC for iOS, or converting the file here, is the easiest route. |
| Android | Most gallery and music apps play the common formats; VLC for Android plays almost everything. |
| Web browser | CAF plays in Safari and Apple apps; not in Chrome or Firefox. |
CAF compared with other audio formats
How CAF stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAF | Either | PCM, AAC, ALAC, Opus and others | 2005 | GarageBand loops, iOS app sounds and long recordings |
| MP3 | Lossy | MP3 audio, typically 128 to 320 kbps | 1993 | music libraries, podcasts and anything that has to play everywhere |
| WAV | Lossless | uncompressed PCM, usually 16-bit at 44.1 or 48 kHz | 1991 | recording, editing, sound effects and CD audio |
| M4A | Either | AAC, or ALAC for lossless files | 2001 | iTunes purchases, iPhone voice memos and Apple Music downloads |
| FLAC | Lossless | FLAC lossless audio, up to 32-bit and 655 kHz | 2001 | CD rips, hi-res music stores and audio archives |
How to use the CAF converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your CAF files on the box, or press Choose CAF files. Several files can go in at once.
- Adjust the settings if you need to; the defaults suit most people.
- Press Convert and save each file with its Download button. Nothing is uploaded at any point.
Tips for converting CAF files without losing quality
CAF can be lossy or lossless depending on how the file was saved. Either way, converting to a lossless format keeps exactly what is there, and converting to a lossy one trades a little detail for a much smaller file.
- Keep a lossless master. If you have WAV, FLAC, AIFF or ALAC, keep it, and make lossy copies such as MP3 or AAC from it when you need them.
- Avoid converting one lossy format into another more than once. Each MP3, AAC or OGG encode throws away a little more, and the losses add up.
- Match the bitrate to the content: 192 kbps and up for music, 96 to 128 kbps for podcasts, 64 kbps for voice notes.
- Stick to 44.1 kHz for music and 48 kHz for audio that goes with video; resampling between them is harmless but pointless.
Convert CAF files from the command line
Everything this page does can also be done in a terminal. The most common CAF conversion, to MP3, looks like this with ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.caf -vn -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k output.mp3Change the output extension to pick another format. The converter above runs the same ffmpeg engine inside your browser, so you get the result without installing anything.
CAF converter FAQ
What is a CAF file?
CAF stands for Core Audio Format, an audio format created by Apple in 2005. CAF is Apple's container with no practical size limit, while WAV and AIFF stop at 4 GB. It shows up mostly in iOS development and GarageBand projects.
How do I open a CAF file?
CAF plays in Safari and Apple apps; not in Chrome or Firefox. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common CAF conversion?
CAF to MP3 is the conversion people search for most. The audio is decoded and written as MP3 at 192 kbps.
Does converting CAF files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your CAF files never leave your device.
Is the CAF converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many CAF files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert CAF files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your CAF files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several CAF files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.