What happens when you convert MP3 to WMA
- The audio is decoded and written as WMA version 2 at 192 kbps.
- Going from one lossy format to another adds a small generation loss. Choose a bitrate at least as high as the source to keep it inaudible.
How to convert MP3 to WMA online
- Press "Choose MP3 files" and select one or more files, or drag them onto the box. You can add files of any size your device can hold in memory.
- Adjust the settings if you need to: the bitrate controls quality and size. The defaults suit most people.
- Press "Convert to WMA". The first audio or video conversion downloads the converter engine, about 32 MB, which your browser then keeps for next time.
- Save each WMA with its download button. Close the tab and every trace of the files is gone from memory.
Why convert MP3 to WMA?
MP3 files usually come from music libraries, podcasts and anything that has to play everywhere. People convert them to WMA because WMA is what older Windows software and some in-car systems play.
In short, MP3 is good at what it was made for, and WMA is the more practical choice when the file has to play on another device or app. MP3 plays in every browser, phone, car stereo and media player, while WMA does not play in browsers; plays in Windows Media Player.
How to convert MP3 to WMA on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android
On Windows
Open this page in Chrome, Edge or Firefox, drag your MP3 files in from File Explorer, and press Convert. Each WMA is saved to your Downloads folder. If you prefer a desktop program, VLC can also convert MP3 to WMA: choose Media, then Convert / Save.
On a Mac
Safari, Chrome and Firefox all work. Drag the MP3 files from Finder onto the drop zone and the WMA files land in Downloads.
On iPhone and iPad
Open the page in Safari and tap Choose MP3 files. You can pick from Photos or from the Files app. The converted WMA appears in Files, in the Downloads folder.
On Android
Open the page in Chrome, tap Choose MP3 files and pick them from Files or your gallery. The WMA is saved to the Download folder, where any file manager can find it. Keep the screen on while a long video converts, because Android may pause a tab in the background.
Best settings for MP3 to WMA
WMA is a lossy format, so the bitrate decides both the sound quality and the file size. Size grows in a straight line with bitrate: double the bitrate and the file doubles.
| Bitrate | Size per minute | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 320 kbps | about 2.4 MB | the highest quality, for music you will keep |
| 256 kbps | about 1.9 MB | excellent music quality |
| 192 kbps | about 1.4 MB | the default: transparent for most listeners |
| 128 kbps | about 1.0 MB | good for music on the go and for podcasts |
| 96 kbps | about 0.7 MB | speech and audiobooks |
| 64 kbps | about 0.5 MB | voice notes and spoken word only |
The MP3 was already compressed, so pick a bitrate at least as high as the original. Going higher does not add quality back, it only makes the file bigger.
MP3 vs WMA: the differences
| MP3 | WMA | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MPEG-1 Audio Layer III | Windows Media Audio |
| Type | audio | audio |
| Created by | the Fraunhofer Institute | Microsoft |
| First released | 1993 | 1999 |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Usually contains | MP3 audio, typically 128 to 320 kbps | WMA Standard, Pro or Lossless |
| In a browser | plays in every browser, phone, car stereo and media player | does not play in browsers; plays in Windows Media Player |
| Common uses | music libraries, podcasts and anything that has to play everywhere | CDs ripped with Windows Media Player and old music stores |
| MIME type | audio/mpeg | audio/x-ms-wma |
About MP3 and WMA files
What is an MP3 file?
MP3 is the most widely supported audio format there is, which is its whole appeal. At 320 kbps most listeners cannot tell it from the original; at 128 kbps cymbals and applause start to smear.
What is a WMA file?
WMA was Microsoft's answer to MP3 and was the default for CD ripping on Windows for years. No browser plays it and Apple devices never supported it, which is why old music libraries often need converting.
MP3 to WMA not working? Common problems
- The conversion is slow. Audio and container changes take seconds, but re-encoding video runs on your own processor. Lower the resolution to 720p, close other tabs, and keep the device plugged in.
- The tab stops or reloads on a very large file. Browsers limit how much memory one tab can use, around 2 GB and less on phones. Split long recordings or convert them on a computer.
- Song titles are missing. Tags such as title and artist are copied when WMA can store them, but cover art is not carried over.
Convert MP3 to WMA with ffmpeg
This converter runs ffmpeg inside your browser. If you would rather use the ffmpeg command line on your own computer, this command produces an equivalent WMA with the same kind of settings:
ffmpeg -i input.mp3 -vn -c:a wmav2 -b:a 192k output.wmaReplace input.mp3 with the name of your file. For a whole folder of MP3 files, run the command in a loop, or drop them all on the converter above, which processes them one after another.
MP3 to WMA converter FAQ
Will I lose quality converting MP3 to WMA?
A little. Both formats are lossy, so re-encoding compounds the loss slightly. Keep the default bitrate or higher and the difference is rarely noticeable.
Why is the WMA a different size from the MP3?
It depends on the settings. At the defaults, the WMA usually comes out close in size to the MP3; lower the bitrate for a smaller file.
Are my MP3 files uploaded anywhere?
No. The conversion runs inside this browser tab using ffmpeg compiled to WebAssembly, so your files stay on your device. You can disconnect from the internet after the page and converter engine have loaded and it still works.
Can I convert several MP3 files to WMA at once?
Yes. Select or drop as many files as you like; they are converted one after another and each gets its own download button.
How do I open a WMA file?
WMA does not play in browsers; plays in Windows Media Player. WMA is common for CDs ripped with Windows Media Player and old music stores.
Is this MP3 to WMA converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no watermark and no limit on how many files you convert. The site is paid for by advertising, and because conversions run on your device there is no server cost per file.
Can I convert MP3 to WMA on my phone?
Yes. The converter works in Safari on iPhone and iPad and in Chrome on Android. Converted files are saved to the Downloads folder.