.flacWhat is FLAC?
Free Lossless Audio Codec
Lossless compression — audiophile quality, half the WAV file size
- Format type
- Lossless compressed audio
- Compression
- Lossless — 40–60% smaller than WAV
- Bit depth
- 4–32 bit (16 and 24-bit most common)
- Sample rate
- Up to 192 kHz
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is an open-source audio format that compresses audio without any quality loss. Unlike MP3 or AAC, which permanently discard audio data, FLAC uses a lossless algorithm that reduces file sizes by 40–60% compared to WAV while decoding to a bit-identical audio signal. It is the preferred archival format for music collections, audiophiles, and anyone who wants to preserve audio quality long-term.
FLAC files are typically 40–60% smaller than equivalent WAV files at the same quality. A WAV that occupies 50 MB might be 25–30 MB as FLAC, with zero quality difference. The main limitation is that iOS and iTunes do not support FLAC natively — Apple favours ALAC (Apple Lossless) for lossless audio. For non-Apple lossless playback, FLAC is the universal standard.
Technical Specifications
| Format type | Lossless compressed audio |
| Compression | Lossless — 40–60% smaller than WAV |
| Bit depth | 4–32 bit (16 and 24-bit most common) |
| Sample rate | Up to 192 kHz |
| Channels | Up to 8 channels |
| File extension | .flac |
| License | Free and open source (BSD licence) |
Advantages & Limitations
Advantages
- Bit-identical to the original — zero quality loss
- 40–60% smaller than WAV at the same quality
- Rich metadata support — album art, lyrics, ReplayGain
- Free and open source — no royalties or licencing fees
- Supported by all major audiophile players and Hi-Fi systems
- Ideal for long-term music archival
Limitations
- Not natively supported on iOS or iTunes (Apple uses ALAC)
- Larger than lossy formats — not suitable for streaming distribution
- Some older hardware players lack FLAC support
Common Use Cases
- Long-term music collection archival
- Audiophile Hi-Fi system playback
- Music downloads from Bandcamp and lossless streaming services
- Ripping CDs and Blu-ray Audio discs
- Plex and Jellyfin media server libraries
- Music mastering backup copies
Compatible Software & Platforms
FLAC is natively supported by:
Convert FLAC Files — Free Online Tools
Convert from FLAC
Convert to FLAC
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a FLAC file?
A FLAC file is a audio file using the Free Lossless Audio Codec format. FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is an open-source audio format that compresses audio without any quality loss.
What programs open FLAC files?
FLAC files are supported by: VLC, Foobar2000, Kodi, Plex, Jellyfin, and most modern media players and editors.
What are FLAC files used for?
Common uses include: Long-term music collection archival; Audiophile Hi-Fi system playback; Music downloads from Bandcamp and lossless streaming services.
FLAC vs WAV: what is the difference?
FLAC is lossless like WAV but significantly smaller; both decode to identical audio. FLAC is typically chosen for long-term music collection archival, while WAV is preferred for professional music production in daws.
How do I convert a FLAC file?
Convert FLAC files online for free at MediaFormatter. Upload your file, choose a target format, and download the result — no installation or sign-up needed.