MP3, FLAC or WAV: which audio format to use when

The key difference: lossy or lossless

MP3 compresses by removing what the ear barely notices: it's tiny, but the removed information never comes back. FLAC compresses like a ZIP: smaller than the original and every sample is restored on playback. WAV doesn't compress at all: it stores the samples as they are.

When to use MP3?

Almost always when the goal is listening: phone, car, social media, podcasts or messaging. At 192 kbps most people can't tell an MP3 from the original in a blind test; for demanding music, go to 256 or 320 kbps.

When to use FLAC?

To store your collection or masters without losing anything, at about half the size of WAV. It also supports tags and cover art: add one with FLAC Cover Art.

When to use WAV?

When the audio will keep being edited: in an editor, a drum machine or when chaining several effects. Since it isn't recompressed at each step, it doesn't accumulate losses. When you're done, export the final version to MP3.

Common myths

• 'Converting an MP3 to FLAC improves it.' No: the FLAC will be an exact copy of an MP3, losses included, just bigger.
• 'WAV always sounds better than FLAC.' They sound identical; FLAC just takes less space.
• '320 kbps is studio quality.' It's a very good MP3, but still lossy.