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FLAC Format — Complete Guide & Converter

Everything you need to know about the FLAC file format: technical specifications, use cases, compatibility, and free conversion tools.

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What is a FLAC File?

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is an open, royalty-free audio format that compresses sound without losing any information. Decoding a FLAC file reproduces the original audio samples exactly, bit for bit, while the file itself is typically 40–60% the size of the equivalent uncompressed WAV. FLAC achieves this with linear prediction: each sample is predicted from previous ones, and only the small prediction error (the residual) is stored, using efficient Rice coding. Decoding is fast and simple, so FLAC plays smoothly even on low-power devices. FLAC supports bit depths from 4 to 32 bits, sample rates up to 655 kHz and up to 8 channels, so it handles everything from CD audio (16-bit/44.1 kHz) to hi-res studio masters (24-bit/96 or 192 kHz). It also has robust metadata tagging (Vorbis comments) and embedded cover art.

History of the FLAC Format

Josh Coalson began developing FLAC in 2000, and version 1.0 was released in July 2001. The project joined the Xiph.Org Foundation (also home to Ogg, Vorbis and Opus) in 2003. FLAC became the standard lossless format for music enthusiasts ripping CDs, and later for lossless and hi-res download stores such as Bandcamp, Qobuz and HDtracks. Support expanded to hardware: hi-fi streamers, digital audio players, car systems and Android (natively since Android 3.1). Microsoft added native FLAC support in Windows 10 (2015), and Apple added FLAC playback to iOS 11 (2017) and to macOS around the same time. In 2024, the IETF published FLAC as RFC 9639, formally standardizing the format more than two decades after its release.

FLAC Technical Specifications

File Extension.flac
MIME Typeaudio/flac
CompressionLossless (linear prediction + Rice coding)
Typical SizeAbout 40–60% of WAV
Bit Depth4 to 32 bits
Sample RateUp to 655,350 Hz
Developed ByJosh Coalson / Xiph.Org (2001)
Best ForLossless music archiving and hi-fi listening

FLAC Advantages & Limitations

Advantages

  • ✓Lossless: bit-identical to the original audio
  • ✓About 40–60% of WAV's size for typical music
  • ✓Open, royalty-free and well documented (IETF RFC 9639)
  • ✓Hi-res support up to 32-bit and very high sample rates
  • ✓Full metadata tags and embedded cover art
  • ✓Fast decoding and error detection (MD5 checksum)
  • ✓Widely supported by players, streamers and Android

Limitations

  • ✗Files are much larger than MP3 or AAC
  • ✗Not supported by some older devices, car stereos and apps
  • ✗Limited support in some video editors and DAWs
  • ✗Not accepted by most streaming upload tools for listeners
  • ✗Converting lossy files to FLAC doesn't improve quality

Common Use Cases for FLAC

FLAC is the format of choice for archiving music: ripping CDs losslessly, storing studio masters and field recordings, and building music libraries for Plex, Jellyfin, Roon, foobar2000 or hi-fi streamers. Lossless and hi-res music stores like Bandcamp and Qobuz sell FLAC downloads, and audiophiles use FLAC with dedicated digital audio players and DACs. Because FLAC is lossless, it's also a safe master from which to make other formats. Common conversions include FLAC to MP3 for phones and car stereos, FLAC to WAV for software, CD burning and equipment that doesn't read FLAC, and WAV to FLAC to halve the space used by recordings without losing anything.

Convert FLAC to Other Formats

Transform your FLAC files to any of the supported target formats below. Each conversion preserves maximum quality and is completely free.

FLAC to MP3FLAC to WAV

Convert Other Formats to FLAC

Need to create FLAC files from other formats? Use any of the converters below.

WAV to FLACMP3 to FLAC

FLAC vs Related Formats

FLAC is the leading lossless compressed format. WAV and AIFF are lossless too but uncompressed, ALAC is Apple's lossless equivalent, and MP3, AAC, OGG Vorbis and Opus are lossy formats that are far smaller but discard some information.

MP3 Format Guide WAV Format Guide M4A Format Guide OGG Format Guide

FLAC — Frequently Asked Questions

What is a FLAC file?

A lossless compressed audio file. It sounds exactly like the original recording but takes about half the space of WAV.

Is FLAC better than MP3?

FLAC is lossless, so it preserves the full quality of the source; MP3 discards some detail to make much smaller files. Many people can't hear a difference in casual listening.

How do I play FLAC files?

Windows 10/11, macOS QuickTime Player and Finder preview, the iOS Files app, Android, VLC, foobar2000 and most hi-fi players support FLAC. Apple's Music app doesn't import FLAC.

Does converting MP3 to FLAC improve quality?

No. It creates a lossless copy of the MP3's sound, but can't restore what MP3 compression removed.

What's the difference between FLAC and WAV?

Both are lossless. FLAC is compressed (about half the size) and supports tags and artwork; WAV is uncompressed and more universally supported by editing software.

What is hi-res FLAC?

FLAC files with more than CD resolution, typically 24-bit at 96 or 192 kHz, usually sold by specialist stores.

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