Why Convert M4A to WAV?
M4A files are compressed and may have compatibility issues. Converting to WAV ensures your audio works on virtually every device and player.
- Universal compatibility: WAV works on phones, PCs, cars, and smart devices.
- Lossless quality: WAV preserves the original audio quality without compression.
- Professional use: WAV is the standard for audio editing and mastering.
How to Convert M4A to WAV Online
- Click Upload M4A and select your file.
- Optionally set sample rate, channels, trim and fades.
- Click Convert to WAV and download when ready.
Defaults: 44.1 kHz, stereo, 16-bit, normalization on.
M4A vs WAV: Quality & File Size
M4A is compressed but smaller. WAV is uncompressed but larger. WAV preserves maximum quality for professional use.
| Format | Quality | File Size | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4A | Very Good (lossy) | Small | Good |
| WAV | Perfect (lossless) | Large | Excellent |
Recommended Settings by Use Case
| Scenario | Sample Rate | Channels | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music production | 48 kHz | Stereo | Use 24-bit for professional work |
| Podcast | 44.1 kHz | Mono | Enable normalization for consistent volume |
| Ringtone | 44.1 kHz | Mono | Trim to 20–30 s; add fade out |
| Archive | 96 kHz | Stereo | Preserve maximum quality |
Trim, Fade & Normalize
- Trim: Export only a segment using start/end times.
- Fade in/out: Smooth the clip edges to avoid clicks.
- Normalization: Level overall loudness to prevent sudden volume jumps across files.
Privacy & Security
Your uploads are processed for conversion only. Avoid sensitive content. Files may be removed automatically after processing.
Supported Limits & Formats
- Accepted input: M4A/AAC (
audio/mp4,audio/m4a,audio/aac) - Maximum file size: up to 100 MB
- Output: WAV (
.wav, MIMEaudio/wav)
WAV vs M4A vs FLAC
| Format | Quality | File Size | Compatibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAV | Perfect | Very Large | Excellent | Uncompressed, universal |
| M4A | Very Good | Small | Good | Apple format, compressed |
| FLAC | Perfect | Large | Good | Lossless compression |
Need maximum compatibility? Choose WAV. Need smaller files? Consider FLAC.
Browser Support & Notes
- Works on current Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
- WAV files may be large; conversion may take longer.
- Keep this tab active; some mobile browsers throttle background tabs.
Troubleshooting
- No sound in result: Source may contain unsupported audio codec; try re-recording or converting the source first.
- Audio out of sync: Trim on key points and keep the original sample rate.
- Distortion or clipping: Disable normalization or reduce gain.
- File too large: Lower sample rate or switch to mono.
What is M4A?
M4A (MPEG-4 Audio) is a compressed audio format commonly used by Apple devices and iTunes. It provides good quality at smaller file sizes.
What is WAV?
WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) is an uncompressed audio format that preserves the original sound quality but creates large files.
Use Cases: When to Convert M4A to WAV
- Professional editing: Convert M4A to WAV for audio editing software.
- Maximum quality: Preserve the highest possible audio quality.
- Universal compatibility: Ensure M4A files work on all devices and players.
- Yes. It's completely free with no registration or watermark.
- WAV is uncompressed, so you'll get the best possible quality from your M4A file.
- WAV files are typically 10-20 times larger than M4A files.
- 44.1 kHz for standard music, 48 kHz for professional work, 96 kHz for high-end audio.
- Yes. Use start/end time to export a specific segment.
- Yes. 16-bit for standard use, 24-bit for professional work.
- WAV is uncompressed. Consider FLAC for lossless compression if file size is a concern.
- Some M4A metadata may be lost. You can add tags later in your player/editor.
- Trim to 20–30 seconds, set 44.1 kHz mono, and add a 300–500 ms fade out.
- Up to 100 MB per file.
For professional use, consider 24-bit WAV for maximum quality. For general use, 16-bit WAV provides excellent quality.