Convert WAV to AAC
Convert WAV files to AAC format instantly in your browser. AAC is the native audio codec for iPhone, iPad, iTunes, and virtually every streaming service — with better quality than MP3 at the same file size. No upload needed.
Drag 'n' drop files here, or
click to select files
.wav
Drop your files and click Convert to get AAC
//when_to_use
When to Convert WAV to AAC
- Converting a WAV music track to AAC for import into GarageBand or Logic Pro X as a project audio asset
- Preparing a WAV voice-over recording to AAC for an iOS app's audio bundle submitted to the App Store
- Converting WAV podcast recordings to AAC for submission to Apple Podcasts Connect
- Compressing a large WAV ringtone file to AAC/M4R format for use on an iPhone
- Converting WAV sound design exports to AAC for playback in an AVFoundation-based iOS media app
//comparison
WAV vs AAC
| Property | WAV | AAC |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | PCM (lossless, uncompressed) | AAC (lossy) |
| Typical file size (4 min song) | ~40 MB | ~5 MB |
| Quality | Reference (lossless) | Perceptually transparent at 192kbps |
| iPhone/iOS support | Limited | Native (preferred codec) |
| Apple Music / iTunes | Converted on import | Native format |
| Streaming services | Upload only | Native playback codec |
//how_it_works
How It Works
Drop your WAV files
Drag and drop or select WAV audio files. 16-bit and 24-bit PCM, mono and stereo, any sample rate supported. First use loads FFmpeg WASM (~30MB).
FFmpeg reads raw PCM
FFmpeg WASM reads the uncompressed PCM directly from the WAV container. No decoding stage needed — WAV is already raw audio data. Everything runs in your browser.
AAC encoding at 192kbps
The FFmpeg native AAC encoder compresses the PCM at 192kbps CBR with temporal noise shaping for Apple-quality output in an ADTS container.
Download AAC files
Your AAC files are ready for iPhone, iPad, GarageBand, Apple Podcasts, or any Apple ecosystem workflow. 7-8× smaller than the original WAV.
// under the hood
WAV stores raw Linear PCM audio, typically 16-bit or 24-bit at 44.1kHz or 48kHz. AAC uses Modified Discrete Cosine Transform (MDCT) with temporal noise shaping (TNS), perceptual noise substitution (PNS), and a more flexible block switching scheme than MP3. Our converter uses FFmpeg WASM to read the WAV PCM and encode with the native FFmpeg AAC encoder (libavcodec aac) at 192kbps CBR. Since WAV is lossless, this is a first-generation encode producing optimal AAC quality from the source.
//faq
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is AAC and why is it important for Apple devices?
- AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is the audio codec developed by Fraunhofer, Dolby, and Sony as the successor to MP3. Apple adopted AAC as the default format for iTunes, iPod, iPhone, and iPad starting in 2003. Today it's the mandatory codec for Apple Music, a preferred format for YouTube and WhatsApp, and produces better sound quality than MP3 at the same bitrate.
- Will the WAV to AAC conversion preserve all the quality?
- AAC at 192kbps is perceptually transparent — blind listening tests consistently show listeners cannot distinguish 192kbps AAC from the original WAV on consumer hardware. Since WAV is lossless, this is a first-generation encode with no prior lossy stage, resulting in the best possible AAC quality from your source material.
- What container does the AAC output use?
- Our converter outputs AAC in an ADTS bitstream container (.aac). This plays natively on all Apple devices. If you need the M4A container (required by some iOS apps and GarageBand), you can rewrap the ADTS AAC to M4A using QuickTime Player (File > Export As > Audio Only) without any re-encoding.
- How much smaller will AAC be than my WAV file?
- At 192kbps, a 4-minute WAV file (~40MB) compresses to approximately 5-6MB in AAC — a roughly 7-8× reduction. The exact ratio depends on audio complexity; highly dynamic classical recordings compress slightly less than typical pop music.
- Is my audio file safe during conversion?
- Yes. All processing runs locally in your browser via FFmpeg WebAssembly. Your WAV files never leave your device — there's no upload, no server processing, and no file retention by us.
//related_converters
Related Converters
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→Convert WAV to OGG
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→Convert WAV to FLAC
Convert uncompressed WAV audio to FLAC lossless compressed format.
→Convert MP3 to AAC
Convert MP3 audio files to AAC format for Apple and streaming services.
→Convert OGG to AAC
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→Convert FLAC to MP3
Convert lossless FLAC audio to compact MP3 for any device.
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