What is a WMA file?
WMA stands for Windows Media Audio. It was created by Microsoft and first released in 1999. 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.
| Type | audio |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy |
| Usually contains | WMA Standard, Pro or Lossless |
| In a browser | does not play in browsers; plays in Windows Media Player |
| Common uses | CDs ripped with Windows Media Player and old music stores |
| MIME type | audio/x-ms-wma |
Which format should you convert WMA to?
- WMA to MP3 to play on any device, car stereo or website.
- WMA to M4A for iPhone, iTunes and Apple Music.
- WMA to WAV to edit in an audio editor or burn to CD.
- WMA to FLAC to archive without losing any quality.
- WMA to MP4 to upload somewhere that only accepts video.
WMA is already lossy, so converting it to a lossless format makes the file bigger without improving it; pick a lossless target only if a program requires one.
How to open a WMA file
Whether a WMA 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, WMA 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 | WMA does not play in browsers; plays in Windows Media Player. |
Want the technical details? See what a .wma file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
WMA compared with other audio formats
How WMA stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMA | Lossy | WMA Standard, Pro or Lossless | 1999 | CDs ripped with Windows Media Player and old music stores |
| 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 WMA converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your WMA files on the box, or press Choose WMA 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 WMA files without losing quality
WMA is lossy, so some detail was already discarded when the file was made. Converting it cannot bring that back. Converting to a lossless format preserves what is left exactly but makes the file larger; converting to another lossy format adds a small extra loss, which is invisible at sensible settings.
- 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 WMA files from the command line
Everything this page does can also be done in a terminal. The most common WMA conversion, to MP3, looks like this with ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.wma -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.
WMA converter FAQ
What is a WMA file?
WMA stands for Windows Media Audio, an audio format created by Microsoft in 1999. 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.
How do I open a WMA file?
WMA does not play in browsers; plays in Windows Media Player. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common WMA conversion?
WMA to MP3 is the conversion people search for most. The audio is decoded and written as MP3 at 192 kbps.
Does converting WMA files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your WMA files never leave your device.
Is the WMA converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many WMA files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert WMA files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your WMA files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several WMA files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.