What is a FLAC file?
FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec. It was created by Josh Coalson and the Xiph.Org Foundation and first released in 2001. FLAC shrinks audio to about half to two thirds of WAV size without losing a single sample, so it can be decoded back to a bit-identical copy of the original.
| Type | audio |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless |
| Usually contains | FLAC lossless audio, up to 32-bit and 655 kHz |
| In a browser | plays in current browsers and most Android devices; iPhones play it in the Files app |
| Common uses | CD rips, hi-res music stores and audio archives |
| MIME type | audio/flac |
Which format should you convert FLAC to?
- FLAC to MP3 to play on any device, car stereo or website.
- FLAC to M4A for iPhone, iTunes and Apple Music.
- FLAC to WAV to edit in an audio editor or burn to CD.
- FLAC to MP4 to upload somewhere that only accepts video.
FLAC is lossless, so converting it to a lossy format is where the file gets much smaller.
How to open a FLAC file
Whether a FLAC 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, FLAC 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 | FLAC plays in current browsers and most Android devices; iPhones play it in the Files app. |
Want the technical details? See what a .flac file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
FLAC compared with other audio formats
How FLAC stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLAC | Lossless | FLAC lossless audio, up to 32-bit and 655 kHz | 2001 | CD rips, hi-res music stores and audio archives |
| 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 |
| OGG | Lossy | Vorbis, sometimes Opus or FLAC | 2000 | video games, desktop streaming apps and open-source software |
How to use the FLAC converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your FLAC files on the box, or press Choose FLAC 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 FLAC files without losing quality
FLAC is lossless, so it is a good source for any conversion. Converting it to a lossy format is where the file gets much smaller, and converting it to another lossless format keeps every sample.
- 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 FLAC files from the command line
Everything this page does can also be done in a terminal. The most common FLAC conversion, to MP3, looks like this with ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.flac -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.
FLAC converter FAQ
What is a FLAC file?
FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec, an audio format created by Josh Coalson and the Xiph.Org Foundation in 2001. FLAC shrinks audio to about half to two thirds of WAV size without losing a single sample, so it can be decoded back to a bit-identical copy of the original.
How do I open a FLAC file?
FLAC plays in current browsers and most Android devices; iPhones play it in the Files app. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common FLAC conversion?
FLAC to MP3 is the conversion people search for most. The audio is decoded and written as MP3 at 192 kbps.
Does converting FLAC files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your FLAC files never leave your device.
Is the FLAC converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many FLAC files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert FLAC files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your FLAC files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several FLAC files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.