| MP3 | WAV | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless |
| Metadata | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open / royalty-free | ✓ | - |
| Defined by | - | Microsoft / IBM |
| Since | 1993 | - |
| Best for | music and podcasts for any device | recording and editing |
MP3
The universal lossy audio format.
WAV
Uncompressed PCM. Lossless, large, editable everywhere.
Questions
MP3 or WAV: which is smaller?
MP3, by a lot, because it discards detail. WAV keeps everything and weighs more.
Can I convert MP3 to WAV?
Yes, in your browser, nothing uploaded.
And WAV to MP3?
Yes, as well.