What is the difference between MP4 and WAV?
MP4 is a container that holds video and sound together. The sound inside is usually compressed as AAC, so the file stays small. WAV is a plain audio file with no picture. It stores the sound as uncompressed PCM, which means every sample of the recording is kept as it is.
That is why a WAV file is much larger than an MP3 of the same length. In exchange, the export adds no new compression. This tool writes 16-bit PCM, a common choice for audio editors, sound libraries, samplers and speech tools.
How to convert MP4 to WAV
- Drop your MP4 video on the page, or choose it from your computer.
- If you only need a passage, set the start and the end in the Trim tab.
- Open the Audio tab and adjust the volume if the original is too quiet.
- Press Download WAV (lossless) and save the file.
Technical specs
| Output | WAV, uncompressed PCM 16-bit or MP3 at 192 kb/s |
|---|---|
| Processing | In your browser (FFmpeg.wasm), 0 files uploaded |
| Large files | Up to about 1.6 GB with FFmpeg, then the browser engine in real time |
| Audio extraction (backup engine) | 30 min / 700 MB |
| Output formats | 14 formats (MP4, WebM, MKV, MOV, AVI and more, plus GIF, MP3, WAV) |
| Price | Free, no account, no watermark added |
When a WAV file is the better choice
Pick WAV when you plan to work on the sound afterwards. Audio editors, podcast software and music programs open it easily, and samplers or game tools often expect it. If you only want to listen, the MP3 option in the same Audio tab gives a much lighter file.
A WAV taken from a video can hold a voice-over, an interview, a song from a concert clip or a sound effect you want to reuse. Only extract audio that you own or have permission to use, because music and films are usually protected by copyright.
Choose the part you want and keep long files under control
The Audio tab shows the waveform of your video. Use the Trim tab to select the start and the end first, so the WAV holds only the passage you need. This matters for size, because uncompressed audio grows with every minute you keep.
Audio extraction normally runs with FFmpeg.wasm, which is downloaded on your first export and then cached by your browser. If FFmpeg cannot start, the native engine takes over with Web Audio. It works in real time and is limited to 30 minutes or 700 MB for audio extraction, so cut a longer recording into parts and extract each one.
Questions
Is MP4 to WAV conversion free?
Yes. There is nothing to pay and you do not need an account. The audio is extracted in your browser, so your video is never uploaded and stays on your device.
What quality does the WAV file have?
The WAV is uncompressed PCM at 16 bits. It cannot add detail that the MP4 already lost, because the sound in an MP4 is usually compressed AAC. You get the audio as the video carries it, without a new lossy step.
Why is my WAV so much bigger than an MP3?
WAV keeps every sample without compression, while the MP3 export uses 192 kb/s. A WAV takes several megabytes per minute. Trim the clip, or pick MP3 for simple listening.
Can I extract WAV from other video formats?
Yes. If your browser cannot play the source, as with AVI, FLV, WMV, MPEG, TS or OGV, FFmpeg still converts it, but without live preview or waveform. Typing the start and end times in the Trim tab then helps.
Is there a limit on the length of the audio?
With FFmpeg, your computer memory is the limit. If the native fallback engine is used, audio extraction is limited to 30 minutes or 700 MB and runs in real time. Cut longer videos into parts with the Trim tab.