How to use the MP3 to FLAC converter
- Choose your MP3 file or drop it on the box.
- No quality setting needed: FLAC is lossless.
- Click "Convert to FLAC". A progress meter shows how far along it is.
- Download your FLAC and listen to it right on the page.
Why convert MP3 to FLAC?
Some players, DJ setups and upload services only accept lossless files. MP3 to FLAC wraps the MP3 sound in a lossless container.
- MP3: lossy: some detail is removed.
- FLAC: lossless quality.
- FLAC: about half the size of WAV.
FLAC will not improve an MP3; the file gets bigger but sounds identical to the MP3.
MP3 vs FLAC
| MP3 | FLAC | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MPEG-1 Audio Layer III | Free Lossless Audio Codec |
| Type | Audio | Audio |
| Created by | the Fraunhofer Institute and MPEG (1993) | Josh Coalson and the Xiph.Org Foundation (2001) |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless |
| Codec | MP3 | FLAC |
| Best for | Music, podcasts, audiobooks and ringtones | CD rips, hi-res music and archiving |
| Plays on | Every phone, computer, car stereo, smart speaker and browser | Android, Windows 10 and later, recent iPhones (Files app), VLC and hi-fi streamers; older iTunes and some car stereos do not |
Does converting MP3 to FLAC lose quality?
FLAC is lossless, so nothing further is lost. It cannot restore detail the MP3 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 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.
What is a FLAC file?
FLAC compresses audio without throwing anything away: decode it and you get exactly the original. Files are about half the size of WAV. It is the favourite format for CD rips and hi-res music downloads.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay or sign up to use the MP3 to FLAC converter?
No. There is no account, no payment and no watermark. The only limit is 1 GB per file, set by what browsers can handle.
Is my file uploaded to a server?
No. The converter runs inside your browser using WebAssembly, so your file is processed on your own device and never sent to us or anyone else.
Will the FLAC sound as good as the MP3?
FLAC is lossless, so nothing further is lost. It cannot restore detail the MP3 already lacks, though, so the file gets bigger without sounding better.
Can I convert FLAC back to MP3?
Yes, use the FLAC to MP3 converter.
An MP3 sounds thin or has artefacts. What should I do?
It was probably encoded at a low bitrate. Re-encoding cannot restore it; find a better source.
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.