Convert WMA to WAV
Convert WMA audio files to uncompressed WAV (PCM) directly in your browser. WAV is the universally supported lossless container that audio editors, DAWs, and CD authoring tools accept — WMA is rejected by most non-Microsoft software. No upload needed.
Drag 'n' drop files here, or
click to select files
.wma
Drop your files and click Convert to get WAV
//when_to_use
When to Convert WMA to WAV
- Importing old WMA voice memos into Audacity for editing podcasts (Audacity's native WMA support is unreliable)
- Converting WMA tracks ripped from old Windows Media Player libraries to WAV for re-editing in Logic Pro
- Preparing WMA audiobook chapters as WAV for re-mastering in Adobe Audition
- Converting WMA recordings from old Windows Mobile devices to WAV for forensic / legal transcription workflows
- Migrating WMA radio archives to WAV for ingestion into broadcast automation systems that require PCM
//comparison
WMA vs WAV
| Property | WMA | WAV |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy (WMA Standard) | Uncompressed PCM |
| Typical size (3 min) | 3-5 MB | ~30 MB |
| Bit depth | Compressed perceptual | 16-bit signed PCM |
| Editor support | Microsoft tools mostly | Universal |
| Patent / royalty | Microsoft proprietary | Open Microsoft RIFF |
| Best for | Old Windows playback | Editing, mastering, CD burning |
//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 raw 16-bit PCM samples at the source sample rate.
Wrap PCM in WAV
PCM samples are written into a standard WAV file with a RIFF header — 16-bit signed, source sample rate (44.1kHz or 48kHz), stereo or mono matching input.
Download your WAV files
Your WAVs import directly into Audacity, Logic, Pro Tools, Ableton, Adobe Audition, and any CD authoring tool.
// under the hood
WMA (Windows Media Audio) is Microsoft's proprietary lossy audio codec, typically encoding at 128-192kbps with a perceptual model loosely similar to MP3. WAV is the Microsoft RIFF audio container holding raw PCM samples. Our converter uses FFmpeg WASM to demux the WMA file, decode the lossy WMA stream to 16-bit PCM at the source sample rate, and write it directly into a WAV container with a standard RIFF header.
//faq
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why convert WMA to WAV?
- WMA is Microsoft's proprietary audio format and most non-Microsoft software won't import it cleanly — Audacity, Logic, Ableton, Pro Tools, and CD authoring tools generally expect WAV. Converting WMA to uncompressed PCM WAV gives you a file every audio editor will accept, without any further quality loss from re-encoding.
- Is the WAV output truly lossless from this point on?
- From the WMA forward, yes — WAV is uncompressed PCM, so no further generational loss. But the WMA itself was lossy (WMA Standard is roughly comparable to 128kbps MP3), so you can't recover detail that the WMA encoder already discarded. The WAV preserves exactly what's in the WMA.
- What are the WAV settings?
- We export 16-bit signed PCM at the source sample rate (typically 44.1kHz or 48kHz, kept from the WMA), stereo or mono matching the input. This is the standard CD-quality WAV format that every editor, DAW, and CD burner expects.
- Why is the WAV so much bigger than the WMA?
- WMA is lossy compressed (often 5-10MB per song); WAV PCM is uncompressed at ~10MB per minute of stereo audio. Expect the WAV to be 5-15x the WMA's size. If you only need lossless compression and not full PCM, FLAC is a better destination.
- Are my WMA files uploaded?
- No. FFmpeg WebAssembly decodes everything inside your browser tab. Your WMA files never leave your device.
//related_converters
Related Converters
Similar conversions you might need.
Convert WMA to MP3
Convert Windows Media Audio files to universal MP3 format.
→Convert WMA to OGG
Convert WMA (Windows Media Audio) to OGG Vorbis — open-source, royalty-free, smaller than MP3.
→Convert WMA to AAC
Convert WMA (Windows Media Audio) to AAC for iTunes, iPhone, and modern Apple audio workflows.
→Convert WMA to FLAC
Convert WMA (Windows Media Audio) to FLAC for lossless archival in audiophile-friendly libraries.
→Convert OGG to WAV
Convert OGG Vorbis audio to uncompressed WAV for DAW editing and professional workflows.
→Convert MP3 to WAV
Convert MP3 audio to uncompressed WAV for editing and professional audio workflows.
→