How to use the AIFF to MP3 converter
- Choose your AIFF file or drop it on the box.
- Pick an audio quality. 192 kbps is the usual choice; 320 kbps for music you care about.
- Click "Convert to MP3". A progress meter shows how far along it is.
- Download your MP3 and listen to it right on the page.
Why convert AIFF to MP3?
AIFF is uncompressed and large. MP3 shrinks Logic, GarageBand or sample-pack exports to a size you can share.
- AIFF: large files.
- MP3: plays on every device.
- MP3: small files.
Choose 320 kbps for finished music; 192 kbps is fine for demos.
AIFF vs MP3
| AIFF | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Audio Interchange File Format | MPEG-1 Audio Layer III |
| Type | Audio | Audio |
| Created by | Apple (1988) | the Fraunhofer Institute and MPEG (1993) |
| Compression | Uncompressed | Lossy |
| Codec | PCM (big-endian) | MP3 |
| Best for | Music production on Mac and sample libraries | Music, podcasts, audiobooks and ringtones |
| Plays on | Macs, iPhones, iTunes, Windows and every audio editor | Every phone, computer, car stereo, smart speaker and browser |
Does converting AIFF to MP3 lose quality?
AIFF is uncompressed and MP3 is lossy, so some detail is removed to make the file smaller. At 256 kbps or higher, almost nobody can hear a difference.
How long does it take?
A few seconds for a song, and under a minute for an hour-long recording on most computers.
What is an AIFF file?
AIFF is Apple's uncompressed audio format, the Mac counterpart to WAV. Logic Pro, GarageBand and many sample libraries use it. Quality is perfect and files are large.
What is an MP3 file?
MP3 is the most widely used audio format in the world. It removes sounds people are unlikely to hear, shrinking a song to about a tenth of its CD size. At 192 kbps or higher most listeners cannot tell it from the original, and every device plays it. Its patents expired in 2017, so it is now free to use.
Frequently asked questions
Is the AIFF to MP3 converter free?
Yes, completely free, with no sign-up and no watermark. Files up to 1 GB each can be converted, and there is no daily limit.
Are my files safe?
Yes. Files are converted locally in your browser and are never uploaded. When you close the page, nothing is left behind.
Will the MP3 sound as good as the AIFF?
AIFF is uncompressed and MP3 is lossy, so some detail is removed to make the file smaller. At 256 kbps or higher, almost nobody can hear a difference.
Can I convert MP3 back to AIFF?
Yes, use the AIFF Converter and choose AIFF as the output.
An AIFF is too big to share. What should I do?
Convert AIFF to MP3 or FLAC.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes. Open the page in your phone's browser and choose a file. Phones have less memory than computers, so very large files are better converted on a laptop or desktop.