In this guide
AIFF and WAV are audio containers commonly used for uncompressed PCM. When they store the same PCM samples with equivalent properties, the decoded audio can be identical. Choose for compatibility and metadata needs, and verify the actual encoding and source history.
AIFF and WAV are audio file containers commonly used for uncompressed PCM audio. If an AIFF and a WAV contain the same PCM samples at equivalent settings, their decoded audio can be identical. The practical choice is usually which file and metadata the receiving app or collaborator supports.
The extension alone is not a complete quality description. WAV can hold encodings other than PCM, and AIFF-C is a related variant that can contain compressed audio. Check the actual file’s encoding, sample rate, bit depth, channel layout and source history before comparing or converting it.
AIFF vs. WAV at a glance
| Question | AIFF | WAV |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Audio Interchange File Format, commonly with PCM audio. | Waveform Audio File Format, a container often used with PCM audio. |
| Audio quality | Uncompressed PCM can preserve the samples supplied to it. | Uncompressed PCM can preserve the same samples at equivalent settings. |
| File size | For equivalent uncompressed PCM, audio payload depends on rate, bit depth, channels and duration. | Equivalent PCM has the same payload size; headers and metadata can differ. |
| Compatibility | Supported by many audio apps, including compatible software on different platforms. | Widely supported by audio editors and delivery systems; check the actual encoding. |
| Metadata | May contain additional chunks such as markers or other information. | Can also contain metadata, but tools vary in what they read and preserve. |
The Library of Congress documents AIFF and WAVE as structured audio formats. Both can carry more than the audio samples themselves.
Does AIFF sound better than WAV?
Not inherently. If two files decode to the same samples at the same rate and channel layout and use the same playback path, the container name does not change those decoded samples. Differences people hear can come from different masters, conversion settings, gain, resampling, playback processing or mismatched files.
A higher number in a file’s properties also does not prove that its source was higher quality. Converting an MP3 to PCM AIFF or WAV cannot restore information removed by the earlier lossy encoding. Keep the best available original and its history.
Which takes more space?
For uncompressed PCM, estimate the audio payload as sample rate × bits per sample × channels × duration ÷ 8. At 44,100 samples per second, 16 bits, stereo and one minute, that is 10,584,000 bytes—about 10.6 decimal MB—before headers and metadata. Equivalent PCM AIFF and WAV have the same audio payload size; their complete file sizes can differ slightly because their containers and metadata differ.
For 48 kHz, 24-bit stereo, one minute of PCM audio is approximately 17.28 decimal MB before overhead. The audio file size calculator can estimate other durations and settings; compare the actual saved file when an upload limit matters.
Which should you use?
- For collaboration: Ask the recipient for the required container, PCM encoding, sample rate, bit depth, channels and delivery method. Test a short file in their actual editor.
- For editing: Use a format your DAW supports reliably and retain the original media and editable project. WAV or AIFF can both be suitable when they contain the required PCM.
- For preservation: Keep a verified master and backups. Document source history, settings and metadata rather than assuming a filename proves quality.
- For smaller listening copies: MP3 or another lossy format may be more convenient, but keep a suitable source. Lossless FLAC can also reduce storage for supported PCM; see FLAC vs. WAV.
How to convert AIFF to WAV without changing supported samples
- Keep the original. Work from a separate copy and note the original’s rate, bit depth, channels and any markers or tags you need.
- Check the source. The AIFF-to-WAV converter accepts uncompressed mono or stereo 8-, 16-, 24- or 32-bit PCM AIFF at 8–192 kHz, up to five minutes and 50 MiB. AIFF-C is not supported, and the output must fit its size limit.
- Convert and inspect. For supported files, the tool preserves sample values, sample rate, bit depth and channels without resampling or lossy encoding. Download the WAV and open it in the intended application.
- Check non-audio information. The converter does not copy AIFF tags, artwork, markers, loops or other non-audio chunks. Keep the AIFF if those matter and verify them separately.
Repackaging PCM can change file bytes and byte order even when the decoded sample values are preserved. A whole-file hash is therefore not a meaningful test of audio equality across different containers. For an independent check, decode both to the same PCM representation, align them and compare sample values with a suitable tool.
What if the WAV is smaller or sounds different?
Inspect its codec, sample rate, bit depth, channels and duration. It may contain compressed audio, fewer channels, a shorter range or a different sample representation. A conversion may also have resampled or applied gain. Compare matched audio and settings before attributing a difference to the container.
The WAV file inspector reads supported WAV header properties locally, including encoding, rate and channels. It does not prove a file’s original source or detect every earlier processing step. For more detail, see how to check WAV properties.
Common questions
Is AIFF only for Mac?
No. Compatible applications on different operating systems can read AIFF. Verify the specific application and encoding rather than assuming support from the platform name.
Is every WAV lossless PCM?
No. WAV is a container and can hold different encodings. Inspect the audio format inside the file.
Does converting AIFF to WAV improve sound quality?
No. A sample-preserving conversion can retain the supported source audio, but it does not repair distortion or recover information lost earlier.