How to use the M4A to WAV converter
- Choose your M4A file or drop it on the box.
- No quality setting needed: WAV is uncompressed.
- Click "Convert to WAV". A progress meter shows how far along it is.
- Download your WAV and listen to it right on the page.
Why convert M4A to WAV?
M4A voice memos and iTunes songs need to be WAV for many audio editors, transcription tools and hardware. M4A to WAV makes them compatible.
- M4A: some car stereos and older MP3 players do not support it.
- WAV: no quality loss.
- WAV: accepted by every audio editor.
The WAV will be about 10 MB per minute; that is normal for uncompressed audio.
M4A vs WAV
| M4A | WAV | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MPEG-4 Audio | Waveform Audio File Format |
| Type | Audio | Audio |
| Created by | Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and Apple (2001) | Microsoft and IBM (1991) |
| Compression | Lossy | Uncompressed |
| Codec | AAC (or ALAC) | PCM |
| Best for | iTunes music, voice memos and phone recordings | Recording, editing, sound effects and mastering |
| Plays on | iPhone, Mac, Android, Windows 10 and later, and browsers | Every computer and audio editor, most phones and browsers |
Does converting M4A to WAV lose quality?
WAV is uncompressed, so nothing further is lost. It cannot restore detail the M4A already lacks, though, so the file gets bigger without sounding better.
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 M4A file?
M4A is an audio-only MP4 file, usually holding AAC sound. It is the default for iTunes, Apple Music downloads, iPhone voice memos and many Android recorders. AAC sounds slightly better than MP3 at the same bitrate.
What is a WAV file?
WAV usually stores raw, uncompressed PCM audio, the same data as an audio CD. Quality is perfect but files are large: about 10 MB per minute of CD-quality stereo.
Frequently asked questions
Is the M4A to WAV 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 WAV sound as good as the M4A?
WAV is uncompressed, so nothing further is lost. It cannot restore detail the M4A already lacks, though, so the file gets bigger without sounding better.
Can I convert WAV back to M4A?
Yes, use the WAV to M4A converter.
An M4A will not play in a car or old MP3 player. What should I do?
Convert M4A to MP3.
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.