How to use the WMA to MP3 converter
- Choose your WMA 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 WMA to MP3?
WMA files from old Windows Media Player rips will not play on iPhone, Mac or many newer devices. MP3 solves that.
- WMA: not supported on Apple devices.
- MP3: plays on every device.
- MP3: small files.
Most WMA rips are 128 kbps or lower, so 192 kbps MP3 keeps every bit of the original sound.
WMA vs MP3
| WMA | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Windows Media Audio | MPEG-1 Audio Layer III |
| Type | Audio | Audio |
| Created by | Microsoft (1999) | the Fraunhofer Institute and MPEG (1993) |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Codec | WMA | MP3 |
| Best for | Old Windows music libraries | Music, podcasts, audiobooks and ringtones |
| Plays on | Windows, some Android phones and VLC; not iPhone, Mac or most browsers | Every phone, computer, car stereo, smart speaker and browser |
Does converting WMA to MP3 lose quality?
Both formats are lossy, so converting adds a small amount of loss. Use the same or a higher bitrate than your WMA (192 kbps covers most files) and the change is inaudible.
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 a WMA file?
WMA is Microsoft's audio codec from the Windows Media era. Windows Media Player ripped CDs to WMA by default for years, so many older music libraries are full of WMA files.
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
How much does the WMA to MP3 converter cost?
Nothing. It is free with no registration, no watermark and no limit on how many files you convert.
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 MP3 sound as good as the WMA?
Both formats are lossy, so converting adds a small amount of loss. Use the same or a higher bitrate than your WMA (192 kbps covers most files) and the change is inaudible.
Can I convert MP3 back to WMA?
Yes, use the WMA Converter and choose WMA as the output.
WMA songs will not play on an iPhone. What should I do?
Convert WMA to MP3.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes, in Safari, Chrome and other modern mobile browsers. Short files work best on phones; for long or high-resolution videos a computer is faster.