Format at a glance
- Full name
- Waveform Audio File Format
- File extensions
- .wav
- MIME types
- audio/wav
- Category
- Audio
- Compression
- Depends on the contained codec
- Transparency
- Not applicable
- Animation
- Not applicable
- Properties
Suitable tools
What is this format?
WAV normally uses the RIFF structure and divides audio and supporting information into chunks. Although PCM is most common, the container can carry other audio encodings, so the extension alone does not guarantee a particular codec.
For PCM, sample rate, bit depth and channel count determine the data rate. Stereo at 48 kHz and 24 bit requires much more storage than mono speech at 22.05 kHz and 16 bit.
What is it used for?
- Recording and lossless intermediate editing
- Sound effects and samples for audio or video projects
- Master files before exporting compressed versions
- Compatible exchange of linear PCM audio
Which programs can open it?
- Audacity, Adobe Audition, Reaper and other editors
- VLC and common media players
- Windows Media Player and QuickTime Player
- FFmpeg and professional digital audio workstations
Support across devices and browsers
PCM WAV is supported natively and by almost every audio application.
QuickTime, music software and editors open common WAV files.
Players, editors and command-line tools broadly support WAV.
Many players open PCM WAV, although unusual contained codecs may not work.
Files, audio and editing apps support typical PCM WAV files.
Current browsers usually play PCM WAV; less common codecs inside WAV can fail.
Advantages
- PCM can preserve the audio signal without quality loss
- Well suited to editing and further processing
- Broad support in professional and general audio software
Disadvantages
- Uncompressed PCM creates very large files
- The container can hold codecs that are not supported everywhere
- Metadata conventions are less consistent than MP3 or M4A
Comparison with alternatives
FLAC preserves PCM losslessly while using much less storage; WAV is often simpler to edit directly.
MP3 is much smaller but removes audio data and is a poorer choice for an editing or archive master.
AIFF serves a similar purpose and is historically associated with Apple workflows; both commonly contain PCM.
LocalFileLab support
Supported WAV variants can be decoded locally; uncommon contained codecs remain browser- or FFmpeg-dependent.
WAV can be written locally through a configured PCM audio path.
Sample rate, channel count and target settings can be reduced; FLAC is often better for a smaller lossless file.
Supported WAV files can play locally and be displayed as a waveform.
Complete preservation of every RIFF chunk and application-specific metadata is not guaranteed.
Container and codecs
The LocalFileLab statements below come from the FFmpeg/WASM and WebCodecs paths actually configured in the repository. Decoders or tracks not explicitly evidenced in code are marked unverified.
- Container
- RIFF / WAVE
- Typical video codecs
- Typical audio codecs
- PCM, IEEE Float, ADPCM
| Codec | Type | Input | Output | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCM | Audio | Unverified | Supported | The project does not enumerate the FFmpeg/WASM input decoder per codec. A concrete FFmpeg/WASM encoder is configured in the repository. |
| IEEE Float | Audio | Unverified | Not supported | The project does not enumerate the FFmpeg/WASM input decoder per codec. This codec is not offered as an output for this container. |
| ADPCM | Audio | Unverified | Not supported | The project does not enumerate the FFmpeg/WASM input decoder per codec. This codec is not offered as an output for this container. |
Tracks and metadata
- Subtitle tracks
- Unverified
- Multiple audio tracks
- Not supported
- Chapters
- Unverified
- Metadata
- Configurable
Known combinations
Related formats
Frequently asked questions
Is every WAV file uncompressed?
No. WAV is a container and can carry several audio encodings, although uncompressed linear PCM is by far the most common.
Why are WAV files so large?
PCM stores direct sample values. File size and data rate rise with sample rate, bit depth, channel count and duration.
Is WAV or FLAC better for archiving?
Both can be lossless. FLAC usually needs much less space, while PCM WAV is exceptionally straightforward for editing software.