ConvertFree

WAV to AAC Converter

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) provides superior compression compared to MP3, delivering better audio quality at the same file size. Converting WAV to AAC is ideal for Apple ecosystem users and produces compact, high-quality audio files suitable for music distribution and streaming.

100% Private — Your files never leave your device

AAC encoding from WAV produces excellent results. At 256kbps, AAC is virtually transparent (indistinguishable from the original WAV) for most listeners. This is one of the best lossy compression options available.

How to Convert WAV to AAC

  1. 1

    Upload your WAV file.

  2. 2

    Select AAC as the output format.

  3. 3

    Click Convert and download your AAC file.

WAV vs AAC — Format Comparison

FeatureWAVAAC
Full NameWaveform Audio File FormatAdvanced Audio Coding
TypeAudioAudio
CodecPCM (uncompressed)AAC-LC / HE-AAC / AAC-ELD
LosslessYesNo
Extension.wav.aac
Best ForProfessional music production and masteringApple Music and iTunes

WAV Strengths

  • Lossless audio quality — no data is lost
  • Industry standard for professional audio production
  • Universal support across all operating systems

AAC Strengths

  • Better quality than MP3 at same bitrate
  • Native support on Apple devices and iTunes
  • Default audio codec in MP4 video containers

Frequently Asked Questions

When to Convert WAV to AAC

  • Creating high-quality compressed audio for Apple devices
  • Preparing audio for iTunes and Apple Music upload
  • Compressing studio recordings with minimal quality loss
  • Audio production for iOS applications

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About Our WAV to AAC Converter

This converter uses FFmpeg compiled to WebAssembly (WASM) to transform your WAV files into AAC format entirely inside your web browser. When you select a file for conversion, the processing happens locally on your device. Your file is never uploaded to any server, never transmitted over the internet, and never stored anywhere outside your own computer. This privacy-first architecture makes our tool safe for confidential and sensitive content — including legal recordings, medical files, financial presentations, personal media, and any other material you would not want on a third-party server.

The conversion process works by decoding the WAV input using FFmpeg's highly optimized decoders, then encoding the output in AAC format with carefully tuned settings that balance quality and file size. When possible, the tool uses stream copy mode to remux (rewrap) compatible streams without re-encoding, which preserves the original quality with zero generational loss. When re-encoding is necessary due to codec differences between the two formats, the converter uses high-quality encoding settings to minimize any visible or audible quality reduction.

Supported input formats include MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, and OGG for audio, with automatic detection of the codecs and parameters inside your source file. The output is optimized for maximum compatibility with modern devices and platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, smart TVs, and all major web browsers.

Why browser-based conversion is safer: traditional online converters require you to upload your file to a remote server, where it is processed by third-party infrastructure and then made available for download. This workflow exposes your data to interception during upload, unauthorized access on the server, unclear data retention policies, and potential data breaches. Professionals in regulated industries such as healthcare (HIPAA), legal (attorney-client privilege), and finance (SOX, GDPR) often cannot use server-based converters without violating compliance requirements. Our WebAssembly-powered approach eliminates all of these risks by ensuring your data never leaves the browser sandbox on your own device.

The tool handles files up to 500 MB on desktop browsers and 200 MB on mobile devices. No account registration, no software installation, and no recurring subscription is required. Conversion typically completes in seconds for small files and a few minutes for larger ones, depending on your device's processing capabilities. Once the conversion is finished, you can download the result immediately and the source data is discarded from browser memory.