Convert WMA to FLAC
Convert WMA audio files to FLAC format directly in your browser. FLAC is the open, royalty-free lossless format used by Bandcamp, Qobuz, and audiophile music libraries. From the WMA forward there's no further quality loss. No upload needed.
Drag 'n' drop files here, or
click to select files
.wma
Drop your files and click Convert to get FLAC
//when_to_use
When to Convert WMA to FLAC
- Migrating old Windows Media Player WMA libraries to FLAC for import into Roon, JRiver, or Plex audiophile setups
- Converting WMA radio show archives to FLAC for long-term lossless archival in DAM systems
- Preparing WMA recordings as FLAC for upload to Bandcamp, which mandates FLAC for lossless tier
- Converting WMA tracks ripped from old Windows-only sources to FLAC for sync to high-end DAPs (Astell&Kern, FiiO)
- Migrating WMA audiobook chapters to FLAC for inclusion in cross-platform libraries where WMA isn't recognized
//comparison
WMA vs FLAC
| Property | WMA | FLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy (WMA Standard) | Lossless (FLAC level 5) |
| Typical size (3 min) | 3-5 MB | 15-25 MB |
| Future generational loss | Yes (already lossy) | None |
| Patent / royalty | Microsoft proprietary | Open, royalty-free |
| Audiophile library support | No | Universal |
| Best for | Old Windows playback | Lossless archival, audiophile |
//how_it_works
How It Works
Drop your WMA files
Drag and drop or select WMA files. First use loads FFmpeg WASM (~30MB).
FFmpeg decodes WMA
FFmpeg WASM parses the ASF/WMA container and decodes the lossy WMA audio stream into 16-bit PCM samples at the source sample rate.
FLAC encode
PCM is re-encoded with FFmpeg's FLAC encoder at compression level 5 — lossless, with metadata block headers and stream info.
Download your FLAC files
Your FLACs import into Roon, JRiver, Plex, Foobar2000, VLC, and every modern music library.
// under the hood
WMA (Windows Media Audio) is Microsoft's proprietary lossy codec inside an ASF container. FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is the Xiph.Org open lossless codec — typically 50-60% the size of uncompressed PCM with bit-perfect reconstruction. Our converter uses FFmpeg WASM to demux the WMA, decode to 16-bit PCM, then re-encode with FFmpeg's FLAC encoder at compression level 5 (the FLAC default).
//faq
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does converting WMA to FLAC restore quality?
- No — FLAC is lossless from the moment of encoding, but it can only preserve what's in the WMA source. Since WMA is lossy, the audio detail discarded by the WMA encoder is gone forever. The FLAC will be bit-identical to the WMA's decoded PCM, no better.
- So why convert at all?
- Two real reasons: format compatibility and stopping further loss. WMA is rejected by most audiophile libraries, music management tools (Roon, JRiver, Plex), and many non-Microsoft devices. FLAC is universally supported. And once you're in FLAC, any future re-edits or re-syncs introduce zero additional generational loss.
- How big will the FLAC be?
- FLAC is lossless compressed — typically 50-60% the size of uncompressed PCM but 3-5x larger than the WMA. A 4MB WMA song often becomes a 15-25MB FLAC. If size matters more than archival quality, AAC or OGG are better targets.
- What FLAC settings do you use?
- We encode with FFmpeg's FLAC encoder at compression level 5 (the FLAC default). 16-bit signed PCM at the source sample rate (44.1kHz or 48kHz), stereo or mono matching the input. Level 5 is the standard balance of speed and compression ratio.
- Are my WMA files uploaded?
- No. FFmpeg WebAssembly runs entirely in your browser tab. Your WMA files never leave your device.
//related_converters
Related Converters
Similar conversions you might need.
Convert WMA to MP3
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→Convert WMA to WAV
Convert WMA (Windows Media Audio) to uncompressed WAV PCM for editing and archival.
→Convert WMA to OGG
Convert WMA (Windows Media Audio) to OGG Vorbis — open-source, royalty-free, smaller than MP3.
→Convert WMA to AAC
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→Convert MP3 to FLAC
Convert MP3 audio files to FLAC lossless format for archival and DAW workflows.
→Convert WAV to FLAC
Convert uncompressed WAV audio to FLAC lossless compressed format.
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