A WAV file is a common audio file format that usually stores sound with no compression, so nothing is thrown away. The name is short for Waveform Audio File Format, and the file ends in .wav. It sounds as good as the original recording, and that is why studios, DAWs and editors use it. If you have a WAV and want the notes out of it, the WAV to MIDI converter can do that for free in your browser.
What Is a WAV File? Format, Quality, Size and When to Use It
October 27, 2026
A WAV file is uncompressed digital audio that keeps every detail of the sound. Learn how WAV works, why it is so big, how it compares to MP3, and how to use it.
wav
audio formats
lossless
mp3
midi
What does WAV stand for?
WAV is short for Waveform Audio File Format. It is also written WAVE, but the file extension is always .wav. The format was created for computers running Windows, and it now works on Mac, Linux, phones and most audio software.
How does a WAV file store sound?
Sound in the air is a smooth wave. To save it on a computer, the recorder measures that wave many times per second. Each measurement is a number. A WAV file stores that long list of numbers.
Two settings decide how detailed the list is:
- Sample rate. How many measurements are made each second. CD audio uses 44,100 per second, written 44.1 kHz. Video and studio work often use 48 kHz or higher.
- Bit depth. How precisely each measurement is stored. CDs use 16 bits. Studios often record at 24 bits, which leaves more room for quiet sounds.
Because the file keeps all of these numbers as they are, it is called uncompressed audio. You can open it, edit it and save it again without a loss of quality.
Why are WAV files so big?
Storing every measurement takes a lot of space. A minute of CD-quality stereo audio comes to about 10.6 MB. A song of 4 minutes 44 seconds comes to about 50 MB as a WAV.
For comparison, the stems we make at Unmix Studio are MP3s at 320 kbps. In our own test, each stem from a 4 minute 44 second song was about 10.9 MB. That is a fifth of the size of the same length in CD-quality WAV, which is why MP3 is easier to share.
WAV vs MP3
| WAV | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | None, usually | Lossy: removes sound the format guesses you will not miss |
| File size | Large | Much smaller |
| Quality | Identical to the recording | Very close at high bitrates, but not identical |
| Best for | Recording, editing, mastering, archiving | Sharing, streaming, phones |
| Repeated editing | Safe | Each re-save can lose more |
If you are going to keep working on a sound, keep it as WAV. If you are going to send it to someone or play it on a phone, MP3 is usually enough.
WAV vs other formats
- FLAC also keeps all the sound, but compresses the file so it takes less space. It is a lossless format, like WAV. See What Is a FLAC File? for the details.
- AIFF is a similar uncompressed format, common on Apple software.
- AAC and M4A are lossy formats like MP3.
When should you use a WAV file?
- Recording. Capture voice or instruments at the best quality you can.
- Editing and mixing. Work in WAV so each change starts from clean audio.
- Sampling. A clean source gives you cleaner chops.
- Mastering and archiving. Keep one full-quality copy of finished work.
- Converting audio to notes. A WAV from a studio or a DAW export gives a pitch detector the cleanest signal to read.
When not to use it: sending long audio by email, putting many songs on a small phone, or uploading to places with strict size limits.
Using a WAV file with Unmix Studio
WAV is one of the formats you can upload, along with MP3, M4A and FLAC. Files can be up to 10 minutes long.
To split a WAV into stems:
- Open the stem splitter and sign in with Google. New accounts get 5 free credits.
- Upload your WAV file.
- Press the big orange button. The cost in credits shows on the button first.
- Download the stems you want as MP3 files at 320 kbps.
Note that the downloads are MP3, not WAV. A clean WAV source helps the separation, but the outputs are smaller files. In our test, a 4 minute 44 second song split into 6 stems in 56 seconds and cost 5 credits.
If your WAV sounds dull because it came from a low-quality source, the Audio Upscaler can restore some of the missing high frequencies. Converting an MP3 to WAV does not bring back detail that was already removed. The upscaler works on the sound itself.
WAV to MIDI
A WAV file holds sound. A MIDI file holds notes. The WAV to MIDI converter listens to the audio and writes out the notes it finds. It is free, runs in your browser, and does not upload your file.
You can pick what the recording is: voice, piano, guitar, bass or a full song. It works best on one instrument at a time. For a full band mix, split out the instrument you want first and convert that. Then drag the .mid file into your DAW.
How to open a WAV file
Almost any player opens it: the default music or media player on Windows and Mac, a phone, or a browser. Any DAW or audio editor can edit it.
FAQ
What is a WAV file?
A WAV file is an audio file, usually uncompressed, that stores sound exactly as it was recorded. It is common in studios and audio software.
Is WAV better than MP3?
For quality, yes. WAV keeps everything, and MP3 removes some detail to save space. For sharing and phones, MP3 is easier because the file is much smaller.
Why are WAV files so large?
They store every measurement of the sound without compression. A minute of CD-quality stereo audio is around 10.6 MB.
Can I convert a WAV file to MIDI?
Yes. The WAV to MIDI converter is free and runs in your browser. It works best on a single instrument or a voice.
Can I split a WAV file into vocals and instruments?
Yes. Upload it to the stem splitter, which accepts WAV, MP3, M4A and FLAC. Most tools cost 1 credit per minute of song, and new accounts get 5 free credits.