Convert WAV to FLAC. Keep the audio samples.

For supported integer PCM sources, this converter preserves audio sample values, frame count, sample rate, bit depth and mono or stereo channel layout. FLAC compresses the samples; it does not need to discard audio detail. The output file bytes and headers differ from WAV even when the decoded samples match.

The converter compares the source PCM checksum with the checksum recorded by the encoder. This checks the audio values, not the source’s provenance or the contents of other WAV chunks. Tags, artwork, markers, broadcast metadata and other non-audio chunks are not copied. A WAV made from previously lossy audio does not regain missing detail.

FLAC is often smaller than PCM WAV, but size depends on the audio and metadata. Random or very complex signals may compress little or even produce a larger file. Compare actual file sizes and keep the original if needed. Our FLAC versus WAV guide explains the tradeoffs.

The input must be RIFF/WAVE with 16- or 24-bit integer PCM, mono or stereo, at 8–192 kHz. For extensible WAV, the valid bit depth must match its container, and the channel mask must be unspecified or match mono/stereo. Both input and output must fit 50 MiB; input must be no longer than five minutes. Files that fail validation or checksum verification are rejected.

Floating-point WAV, 8- or 32-bit PCM, compressed WAV, RF64, segmented audio and multichannel layouts are not supported here. Use a desktop converter that supports the source format when those details matter. The WAV file inspector can show stored format information but does not compare audio samples.

To convert the other way, use FLAC to WAV for supported checksum-bearing FLAC files. This encoder uses @audio/encode-flac, which includes libFLAC through libflac.js. See the encoder license and libFLAC and wrapper notices.