Before Spotify, Apple Music, and other audio streaming services, the MP3 file format was the staple of mobile music. Compared to the typical Waveform Audio File Format (WAV), MP3 is considerably more compact, which makes it ideal for small-storage devices and streaming purposes.
In this guide, we’ll talk about how to convert WAV to MP3 simply and easily. We’ll also share key details about both audio file formats, including their distinguishing features, differences, and appropriate uses.
Overview: WAV vs MP3 Audio Formats
WAV stands for Waveform Audio File Format. It‘s an uncompressed audio format that represents sound recordings as raw pulse-code modulation (PCM) data.
Key qualities of WAV files:
- Uncompressed lossless audio quality
- No data/quality loss from original recording
- Supports up to 32-bit/96 kHz audio bitrate
- Large file sizes
- Compatible with majority of platforms & devices
- Easy editing with audio software
- Standard CD-quality audio format
MP3 stands for MPEG Audio Layer III. It revolutionized audio distribution by greatly reducing file sizes through "lossy" compression algorithms.
Key qualities of MP3 files:
- Lossy "perceptual" audio encoding
- Compresses data while maintaining good quality
- Smaller file size (roughly 1/10th the size of a WAV file)
- Supports up to 320 kbps bitrate
- Compatible with all modern devices
- Easy to stream & share online
- Dominant digital music format since the 1990s
The tradeoff between WAV and MP3 comes down to quality vs file size. WAV maintains the highest fidelity sound, while MP3 compresses audio to make it space-efficient for storage and sharing.
Converting WAV to MP3 reduces file size substantially while maintaining decent audio quality – which is exactly what we want for mobility and convenience.
Now let‘s go through the step-by-step process…
#1: Convert WAV to MP3 Using VLC Media Player
Outside of specialized audio software, VLC media player is one of the best free solutions for converting WAV files into MP3 format.
To convert WAV to MP3 using VLC, follow these steps:
Step 1: Import the WAV File
First, launch VLC media player on your computer. Click Media > Convert/Save or press CRTL+R to open the conversion window.
Click Add and browse to the desired WAV file(s) you want to convert. Select it and click Open to add it to the conversion queue.
Step 2: Configure Audio Profile
Click the Convert/Save button at the bottom. In the Audio Profile dropdown, select Audio – MP3 to auto-load encoding presets.
Click the Edit Selected Profile button to customize settings:
On the Audio Codec tab, adjust the audio Bitrate quality. 320kbps is highest quality for MP3. Click Save to apply the changes.
Higher bitrate = better sound quality and larger file size. 128-320kbps is recommended for MP3.
Step 3: Convert the WAV File
Lastly, click Browse to set destination folder for the new MP3 file. Then click Start to convert WAV into MP3!
The process should take just seconds. You now have an MP3 version with greatly reduced file size.
#2: Convert WAV to MP3 Using iTunes
iTunes is another popular option for WAV to MP3 audio conversion on both Windows and Mac:
Step 1: Configure Encoding
Open iTunes > Preferences > Import Settings and choose MP3 Encoder from the dropdown menu:
Click OK to save changes. This sets iTunes to convert new file imports into the MP3 format.
Step 2: Import WAV File
Next, add the WAV file(s) you want to convert into your iTunes media library.
Click File > Add to Library and select your audio file(s) to load them into iTunes. Alternatively, manually drag/drop tracks onto the iTunes window.
Step 3: Convert to MP3
With the WAV files imported, highlight them in your media library.
Go to File > Convert > Create MP3 Version. iTunes will automatically convert copies over to 128kbps MP3 by default.
The process happens quickly in the background. You now have MP3 duplicates of the original WAV files.
#3: Convert WAV to MP3 with Audacity
Audacity is an open-source, cross-platform audio recording/editing app. The free software also allows WAV to MP3 audio conversion:
Step 1: Import WAV File
Download and launch the Audacity app. Go to File > Open and browse to the WAV file to open/import it:
Audacity will now display the WAV as a visualized audio waveform.
Step 2: Export as MP3
Go to File > Export > Export as MP3 to open encoding options:
Choose quality Preferences:
- Bit Rate Mode: Constant
- Quality: 192 kbps
- Channel Mode: Joint Stereo
Pick an export destination and filename. Click Save to convert the WAV into an MP3 file.
The status bar will display real-time encoding progress. Shortly after, your new MP3 file will be available in the designated location.
#4: Use An Online Audio Converter
Don‘t want to download any software? You can use an online audio converter website to quickly change WAV files into MP3 online:
Some top audio converter sites include:
The process is very straightforward:
- Go to one of the sites above
- Click "Convert" and choose WAV ➜ MP3
- Upload your WAV file
- Click "Convert" and download the MP3 result
Online converters provide quick, one-off audio format changes. However, free sites limit file size and don‘t allow batch converting multiple files at once.
Comparing WAV to MP3 Audio Quality
Since the MP3 is a "lossy" compressed format, it achieves smaller files by losing some data from an original recording. But don‘t assume this always degrades quality substantially.
In many cases, the differences between a WAV file and even a highly compressed 96kbps MP3 may be indistinguishable to casual listeners. The ear naturally masks artifacts at this intensity.
However, compression artifacts can become noticeable if you critically listen on high-end audio gear, or heavily distort the sound through editing.
As a rule of thumb for portable use:
- Encode MP3s at 160-320kbps for transparent quality
- Always archive/store original WAV masters when possible
- If concerned about quality loss, consider intermediate formats like FLAC
So while WAV is technically superior, the MP3 format still sounds fantastic for everyday music playback.
The choice depends largely on your priorities…
WAV vs MP3: Which to Use?
| Audio Format | Key Benefits | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|
| WAV | No compression, Highest raw fidelity | Audio editing/manipulation Archival masters |
| MP3 | Small size, Portability, Device support | Streaming, Podcasts Mobile music |
In summary:
- WAV is primarily used where quality is king – like archiving recordings or production editing.
- MP3 reigns for consumer listening on portable devices and sharing online.
Converting uncompressed WAV audio into a common MP3 format gives you the best of both worlds!
We‘ve covered several easy ways to convert your WAV files into portable, widely-compatible MP3s.
Here are some final best practices when converting between audio formats:
- When possible, archive original WAV recordings before converting – don‘t overwrite source files.
- Higher bitrate = better MP3 quality. 160-320kbps is recommended.
- Expect file sizes ~10 times smaller after converting WAV ➜ MP3
- Adding ID3 tags helps organize your converted MP3 music library.
- Batch convert groups of files for efficiency using software tools.
We hope this guide has helped you better understand audio formats and how to easily convert WAV into MP3 files. Please leave any questions below in the comments!
How do I convert WAV to MP3 for free?
Use one of the software options covered above like VLC Media Player or Audacity. Or an online audio converter if you have just a few files to process.
Can you convert WAV to MP3 without losing quality?
There will always technically be quality loss since MP3 is not an uncompressed format like WAV. However, the sound degradation is often negligible (especially at higher bitrates).
Is it better to master WAV or MP3?
WAV is always preferred for audio mastering work since it‘s an uncompressed, lossless format. The MP3 compression algorithm introduces some data loss by design, so you want to avoid it when producing audio masters intended for distribution.
Can I increase the audio quality if I convert MP3 back to WAV?
Unfortunately no. The compression of MP3 leads to irreversible data loss, so converting back to WAV won‘t regain the full quality. This is why it‘s advisable to archive original WAV recordings separately before converting to MP3.
What is a good audio converter for Windows 10?
On Windows 10, some top options for converting WAV to MP3 include VLC Media Player, iTunes, Audacity, FFmpeg or programs like dbPoweramp. Online audio converters also work for basic format conversion needs.
