Audio Format Comparison: MP3, AAC, FLAC, OGG, and WAV
Choosing the right audio format involves trade-offs between file size, audio quality, compatibility, and intended use case. This comparison covers the five most common formats and when to use each one.
Key Takeaways
- Lossy codecs (MP3, AAC, OGG) permanently discard audio data deemed inaudible by psychoacoustic models.
- The oldest widely-supported lossy format (1993).
- The successor to MP3, used as the default format by Apple Music, YouTube, and most streaming services.
- WAV:** Recording, editing, and mastering (uncompressed working format)
- Essential for archiving, mastering, and audiophile playback.
BPM Calculator
Format Overview
| Format | Type | Typical Bitrate | File Size (4 min song) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAV | Uncompressed | 1,411 kbps | ~42 MB | Reference |
| FLAC | Lossless | 800-1,200 kbps | ~25 MB | Identical to source |
| AAC | Lossy | 128-256 kbps | ~6-8 MB | Excellent at 256 kbps |
| MP3 | Lossy | 128-320 kbps | ~4-10 MB | Good at 320 kbps |
| OGG Vorbis | Lossy | 96-320 kbps | ~4-10 MB | Excellent at 192 kbps |
Lossy vs. Lossless
Lossy codecs (MP3, AAC, OGG) permanently discard audio data deemed inaudible by psychoacoustic models. At high bitrates (256+ kbps), the difference from the original is imperceptible to most listeners in normal listening conditions. Lossless codecs (FLAC) compress without discarding data — the decoded output is bit-identical to the original.
MP3
The oldest widely-supported lossy format (1993). MP3 at 320 kbps is nearly transparent (indistinguishable from the original) for most listeners. At 128 kbps, artifacts become noticeable on complex material — cymbals sound metallic, and reverb tails become grainy. MP3's advantage is universal compatibility: every device and application supports it.
AAC
The successor to MP3, used as the default format by Apple Music, YouTube, and most streaming services. AAC achieves better quality than MP3 at equivalent bitrates — AAC at 128 kbps sounds comparable to MP3 at 160 kbps. The most efficient lossy codec for general use.
FLAC
The standard lossless format. FLAC files are 50-70% of the original WAV size with zero quality loss. Essential for archiving, mastering, and audiophile playback. Supported by most modern devices except Apple's ecosystem (which prefers ALAC, Apple's lossless codec).
When to Use Each Format
- WAV: Recording, editing, and mastering (uncompressed working format)
- FLAC: Archiving, audiophile distribution, source for future conversions
- AAC: Streaming, mobile delivery, web audio (best quality-to-size ratio)
- MP3: Maximum compatibility, legacy device support, email attachments
- OGG: Open-source projects, game audio, web applications (royalty-free)