The audio file formats list includes MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, OGG, Opus, WMA, AMR, PCM, and DSD—covering uncompressed, lossless, and lossy formats.
Choosing the right format determines your quality, storage use, and compatibility.
This guide provides the complete list, full breakdown, comparison table, and practical guidance to help you pick the best format for any use case.
Audio File Format Checker by Mainconverter
Full Audio File Formats List (With Details)
MP3 – Most Universal Format
Small size, good quality, compatible with all devices.
WAV – Studio Quality Format
Uncompressed, extremely high quality, used for editing and mastering.
AAC – Better Than MP3 at Same Bitrate
Ideal for YouTube, Apple Music, and mobile audio.
FLAC – Audiophile Lossless Format
Retains full quality while shrinking file size.
ALAC – Apple’s Lossless Format
Perfect for iPhones and Apple ecosystems.
AIFF – Apple’s Uncompressed Format
Similar to WAV but optimized for Apple users.
OGG – Open-Source Alternative to MP3
Better quality than MP3 at the same bitrate.
Opus – Best for Streaming & Voice Calls
Excellent for VoIP, gaming, and real-time audio.
WMA – Windows Media Format
Comes in both lossy and lossless versions.
AMR – Mobile Speech Format
Used for phone recordings and voice notes.
PCM – Digital Raw Audio
Used in CDs and professional recording systems.
DSD – High-End Audiophile Format
Used in SACD systems and very high-resolution audio.
Audio File Formats Comparison Table
| Format | Type | Compression | Best Use Case | Quality Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP3 | Lossy | Compressed | Streaming, downloads | Good |
| WAV | Uncompressed | None | Editing, studios | Excellent |
| AAC | Lossy | Compressed | YouTube, apps | Very good |
| FLAC | Lossless | Compressed | Archiving, high fidelity | Excellent |
| ALAC | Lossless | Compressed | Apple devices | Excellent |
| AIFF | Uncompressed | None | Editing in Apple workflows | Excellent |
| OGG | Lossy | Compressed | Gaming & open-source projects | Very good |
| Opus | Lossy | Advanced compression | Calls, VoIP, Discord | Very good |
| WMA | Lossy/Lossless | Compressed | Windows, legacy devices | Good |
| AMR | Lossy | Compressed | Phone audio | Fair |
| PCM | Uncompressed | None | CD audio | Excellent |
| DSD | Lossless | High bit depth | High-end players | Audiophile |
Convert MP3 to WAV by Mainconverter
Why Audio File Formats Matter
Choosing the right audio file format affects:
- Sound quality
- File size
- Storage needs
- Streaming performance
- Editing flexibility
- Device compatibility
When to Use Lossless vs. Lossy Formats
Use Lossless (FLAC, ALAC, WAV) when:
- Archiving music
- Editing or mixing
- Releasing high-quality audio
Use Lossy (MP3, AAC, OGG) when:
- Streaming online
- Saving storage space
- Sharing through apps
Supported Audio Formats in Most Devices
Most smartphones, computers, and apps support:
- MP3
- AAC
- WAV
- FLAC
- M4A
- WMA
Some formats like DSD, APE, or Opus may need additional software.
Also see: Free WAV to MP3 Converter