Will converting WMA to WAV make the file sound better?

No. The sound quality will match the original WMA—no better, no worse. WAV is uncompressed, but any quality loss from the original WMA compression cannot be undone. The benefit is easier editing and compatibility, not improved audio fidelity.

Why is the WAV file so much bigger than the WMA?

WAV stores raw, uncompressed audio. A 4-minute song at CD quality (44.1 kHz, 16-bit stereo) is about 42 MB. The same song as a 128 kbps WMA is under 4 MB. The size jump is normal and expected after converting to WAV.

Can I play WMA files on a Mac or iPhone?

Not without extra software. macOS and iOS do not support WMA by default. Some third-party apps like VLC can play them, but Apple’s built-in players will not. Converting to WAV makes your audio playable everywhere.

Is WAV the best format for long-term storage?

WAV is excellent for editing and archiving, as it is open and widely supported. For long-term storage with smaller size, FLAC is preferred. FLAC is lossless, about half the size of WAV, and preserves all audio data.

Does this converter keep any video or album art from the WMA?

No. The preset decodes only the audio stream to WAV. Any video, images, or metadata in the WMA are not included in the output. The result is always a pure audio WAV.

Can I convert WMA to WAV on my phone?

You can use this page in Chrome or Safari on Android or iOS, but large files may strain the device’s memory. For small voice notes or short music clips, browser conversion works fine. For long files, a desktop is safer.

Should I keep the original WMA after converting?

Yes, until you confirm the WAV plays and edits as needed. If space is tight, you can delete the WMA later. For rare or irreplaceable recordings, always keep a backup in the original format.

What if I need to compress the WAV after converting?

After converting to WAV, you can use a separate tool to compress to MP3, M4A, or FLAC. This reduces file size for sharing or storage. WAV itself is not meant for compact storage—it's for editing and archiving.

WMA → WAV

WMA to WAV Converter

Drop a file here

Click to browse, or paste a file from the clipboard.

Choose file

A WMA to WAV converter opens a Windows Media Audio file and decodes it to standard uncompressed 16-bit PCM WAV. This makes the audio easy to edit, burn to CD, or play on any device. The output is always audio-only. Any video track in the WMA is ignored.

How to convert WMA to WAV

Drop your WMA file above or click Browse to pick it from your computer.
Check the file name and length. Settings are fixed for WAV output.
Click Convert and wait until the progress bar reaches 100%.
Download the WAV file when ready. It stays only on your device.

Why convert WMA to WAV?

WMA (Windows Media Audio) was common in the early 2000s, especially on Windows XP and Vista. Many people still have voice recordings, music, audiobooks, or lecture archives in WMA from old PCs, recorders, or downloads. However, WMA has compatibility problems. Macs, iPhones, most car stereos, and modern DAWs (digital audio workstations) usually refuse to open WMA. Even on Windows 10 and 11, support is not universal—Photos and some music apps skip WMA.

WAV, on the other hand, is the baseline uncompressed audio format. Every editor, CD burner, and audio software can open 16-bit PCM WAV. Converting to WAV lets you edit, trim, merge, or burn the file anywhere. WAV is also the safest format for long-term archiving, as it is open and not tied to a single company.

For a typical 4-minute WMA song at 128 kbps, the file is about 3.8 MB. After converting to WAV, the same audio is roughly 42 MB (44.1 kHz, 16-bit stereo). This is because WMA is lossy and compressed, while WAV is raw audio. There is no quality gain, but you get maximum compatibility. If you need to edit, re-export, or use the file in a professional workflow, WAV is the right move.

However, if you only want to play the file on Windows, or you need to save space, there is no reason to convert. WAV is large—about 10 times the size of WMA for music. Use this conversion when you need editability, CD burning, or cross-platform support.

Need to cut silence or trim the WAV? Use the audio trimmer. To compress the WAV for sharing, try FLAC or MP3 conversion.

WMA vs WAV: what’s the difference?

Property	WMA	WAV
Extension	.wma	.wav
Type	Lossy compressed audio	Uncompressed PCM audio
Typical size (4 min)	3.8 MB (128 kbps stereo)	42 MB (16-bit stereo)
Quality	Lossy (quality lost at encoding)	Exact PCM, no further loss
Device support	Windows legacy, some Android	Universal (Windows, Mac, Linux, CD, DAW)
Editing	Limited, needs conversion	Fully editable, all DAWs and editors

WMA is a proprietary audio format from Microsoft, designed for small file size with some quality loss. WAV is an uncompressed audio format storing raw PCM samples—universally supported and easy to edit.

Does converting WMA to WAV change quality?

No new loss is introduced. The converter decodes the WMA to uncompressed 16-bit PCM WAV. The sound is as close as possible to the original WMA quality. You cannot restore quality lost when the WMA was first made, but no further compression happens.

There is no bitrate or quality slider for WAV output. The only setting is the standard: 44.1 kHz, 16-bit stereo PCM. This matches CD and is the safest option for editing or archiving.

Any video or image track in a WMA (rare, but possible) is ignored. The output is audio-only.

If you need a smaller file after converting to WAV, you can compress to MP3, M4A, or FLAC as a separate step. WAV is meant for editing, not storage or sharing.

Alternatives: Can I convert WMA to WAV without Videozify?

Windows users can use VLC Media Player: Media > Convert/Save, pick WMA, choose WAV as output. Audacity (free on Windows, Mac, Linux) can also open WMA (with the FFmpeg plugin) and export as WAV. On Mac, QuickTime and Finder will not open WMA by default; iTunes used to convert but now skips WMA. Most phones and tablets do not support WMA or WAV conversion natively.

Videozify runs the conversion in your browser, no install, and never uploads your files. For single files, it is simpler than opening a full editor. For large batches, dedicated desktop software is faster and does not require keeping a browser tab open.

Frequently asked questions

Will converting WMA to WAV make the file sound better?: No. The sound quality will match the original WMA—no better, no worse. WAV is uncompressed, but any quality loss from the original WMA compression cannot be undone. The benefit is easier editing and compatibility, not improved audio fidelity.
Why is the WAV file so much bigger than the WMA?: WAV stores raw, uncompressed audio. A 4-minute song at CD quality (44.1 kHz, 16-bit stereo) is about 42 MB. The same song as a 128 kbps WMA is under 4 MB. The size jump is normal and expected after converting to WAV.
Can I play WMA files on a Mac or iPhone?: Not without extra software. macOS and iOS do not support WMA by default. Some third-party apps like VLC can play them, but Apple’s built-in players will not. Converting to WAV makes your audio playable everywhere.
Is WAV the best format for long-term storage?: WAV is excellent for editing and archiving, as it is open and widely supported. For long-term storage with smaller size, FLAC is preferred. FLAC is lossless, about half the size of WAV, and preserves all audio data.
Does this converter keep any video or album art from the WMA?: No. The preset decodes only the audio stream to WAV. Any video, images, or metadata in the WMA are not included in the output. The result is always a pure audio WAV.
Can I convert WMA to WAV on my phone?: You can use this page in Chrome or Safari on Android or iOS, but large files may strain the device’s memory. For small voice notes or short music clips, browser conversion works fine. For long files, a desktop is safer.
Should I keep the original WMA after converting?: Yes, until you confirm the WAV plays and edits as needed. If space is tight, you can delete the WMA later. For rare or irreplaceable recordings, always keep a backup in the original format.
What if I need to compress the WAV after converting?: After converting to WAV, you can use a separate tool to compress to MP3, M4A, or FLAC. This reduces file size for sharing or storage. WAV itself is not meant for compact storage—it's for editing and archiving.