M4A to WAV Converter
Need to convert this file type? Drop it below — or drop any other file and we'll auto-switch. Outputs are auto-deleted after 2 hours; share links expire after 4.
Or paste a link to a file
Drop multiple images to combine them into one PDF, Word document, or PowerPoint presentation — or convert each image separately.
Drop
Drag your M4A file or click to browse.
Convert
WAV is preselected, or pick a different format below.
Download
Get your file or share a 1-hour link.
Convert M4A to WAV online
Convert M4A to WAV when an audio editor, transcription tool, or piece of hardware will not accept compressed input. The AAC audio is decoded and written as 16-bit PCM — no compression, no container tricks, just samples.
When should you convert M4A to WAV?
- Import an iPhone voice memo into an audio editor
- Feed a transcription or analysis tool that requires PCM
- Load audio onto a sampler or an embedded device
- Work on the audio without stacking another lossy encode
Before you convert
Quality does not improve
WAV preserves exactly what the M4A held. The point is format compatibility, not fidelity.
Large files ahead
An hour of uncompressed stereo audio is roughly 600 MB. Convert the clips you need rather than whole recordings where you can.
What happens to your file
The M4A audio is decoded and re-encoded to WAV with PCM signed 16-bit little-endian at uncompressed. There is no video stream involved, so the job is quick even for long recordings.
Settings this conversion runs with
| Engine | ffmpeg |
|---|---|
| Output codec | PCM signed 16-bit little-endian |
| Setting | uncompressed |
| Compression | Lossless |
What changes
- WAV is lossless, but it can only preserve what is already in the M4A file. Detail removed when the M4A was first encoded does not come back — you get a bigger file of the same audio, not a better one.
- Cover art, lyrics, and most tags are not carried across — the output keeps the audio, not the metadata around it.
About M4A and WAV files
M4A audio
Strengths
- good quality at small size
- default on Apple devices
Limitations
- lossy
- needs converting for some players
WAV audio
Strengths
- uncompressed quality
- ideal for editing
- no artifacts
Limitations
- very large files
- not for sharing online
M4A vs WAV
| Format | M4A | WAV |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | None |
| Transparency | — | — |
| Best for | Apple music and voice memos, podcasts | recording and editing, studio-quality audio |
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
- Does converting M4A to WAV re-encode the file?
- The M4A audio is decoded and re-encoded to WAV with PCM signed 16-bit little-endian at uncompressed. There is no video stream involved, so the job is quick even for long recordings.
- What should you know before converting M4A to WAV?
- WAV is lossless, but it can only preserve what is already in the M4A file. Detail removed when the M4A was first encoded does not come back — you get a bigger file of the same audio, not a better one.
- Is this M4A to WAV converter free?
- Yes. You can convert M4A to WAV online for free, with no account and no watermark.
- Do I need to install software or sign up?
- No. Use the converter from your browser without installing software or creating an account. Files are uploaded to our servers for processing.
- Are my files safe?
- Yes. Files are processed only to complete the conversion and are auto-deleted after 2 hours. We never share them.
- Can I convert multiple M4A files at once?
- Yes. Drop several files to convert them in a batch and download the results as a single ZIP.