Read the PCM header
Bit depth, sample rate and channel count are read from the WAV header, not guessed from the file extension. A 24-bit/96 kHz file is treated as such.
Browser tool · nothing uploaded
WAV to MP3, with the sample rate handled honestly.
Drop a WAV from a recorder or a DAW. The PCM audio is read locally, resampled only when MP3 requires it, and encoded to MP3 in this tab.
.wav → .mp324-bit and 96 kHzNo upload320 kbps
WAV converter local
ready nothing uploaded
Output settings
Optional. Use mm:ss or h:mm:ss. Batch conversion uses the full file.
Converting… 0%
The MP3 was written in this tab. The WAV was not uploaded.
01
What this converter does
wavtomp3.io converts WAV audio to MP3 in the browser; the file is never uploaded.
The WAV file is read from your disk, its audio track is decoded, and the samples are re-encoded as MP3. The output is written in this tab and offered as a download. There is no upload endpoint, no account and no queue.
If you need the reverse direction, or a different source format, this page is deliberately single-purpose. The how-it-works page explains the engine, the browser requirements and the cases where the converter will refuse a file rather than write a broken one.
02
How it works
Resample only if MP3 needs it
MP3 tops out at 48 kHz. A 96 kHz source is resampled to 48 kHz, and 88.2 kHz to 44.1 kHz. Bit depth has no meaning in MP3, so it is not carried.
Encode CBR
LAME writes a constant bitrate in a worker. 320 kbps is the format maximum, not a promise of transparency.
03
What changes in the file
| Property | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Source | PCM 16/24/32-bit or float | RF64 and unusual layouts are reported, not guessed. |
| Sample rate | 96k → 48k, 88.2k → 44.1k | MP3 cannot carry 96 kHz. |
| Bit depth | Not carried | MP3 has no bit-depth field. |
| Bitrate | 64–320 kbps CBR | CBR only; no VBR control. |
| Size | ~10.1 MiB/min WAV → ~1.4 MiB/min at 192 | The WAV is the master; the MP3 is the delivery copy. |
| Metadata | RIFF INFO may carry | Not guaranteed across players. |
Keep the WAV
The MP3 is a delivery copy, not a master. If you might edit the audio again, keep the WAV and convert a new MP3 from it.
04
Guides for this format
Guide
WAV to MP3 at 320 kbps
320 kbps is the top MP3 bitrate. What it does to a 16/44.1 or 24/96 WAV, how big the file becomes, and when a lower rate is the better choice.
Guide24-bit WAV to MP3
MP3 has no bit depth. Here is what happens to a 24-bit or 32-bit float WAV when it becomes MP3, and when the conversion is the wrong move.
GuideAudacity WAV to MP3
Audacity gives you LAME options and batch macros. The browser gives you no install and no upload. Here is which one fits which job.
GuideWAV vs MP3 file size
How big a WAV really is, how small an MP3 gets at 128, 192 and 320 kbps, and how to estimate a conversion before you start.
05
Questions
Does WAV to MP3 lose quality?
Yes. WAV is lossless PCM; MP3 is lossy. Keep the WAV as the master and use the MP3 for delivery, sharing or a device that does not read WAV.
What happens to a 24-bit or 96 kHz WAV?
The samples are decoded, resampled to an MP3-compatible rate, and encoded. The 24-bit depth is not carried because MP3 has no bit depth. The output can sound excellent, but it is not the same file.
Should I use 320 kbps?
It is the maximum MP3 bitrate. Use it for music you care about; 128–192 kbps is enough for speech. A higher bitrate cannot add detail the source never had.
Is VBR available?
No. The encoder exposes constant bitrate only, and the page does not offer a VBR control it cannot honour. CBR also makes the output size predictable.
Can I batch convert WAV files?
This page is single-file by design. The batch workflow with a queue and a target size is a separate tool; this site focuses on one file and the settings that matter for it.
Are my files uploaded?
No. The WAV is read from disk and processed in this tab. There is no upload endpoint.
06
Limits, stated up front
- No upload limit, but a memory limit. The file is read lazily from disk; the output still has to fit in the tab. Very large files can exhaust a phone or a low-memory laptop.
- MP3 is lossy. The converter never claims otherwise. It re-encodes the audio; choose a bitrate at or above the source to avoid stacking more loss than necessary.
- Not every codec is supported. The browser must be able to decode the audio track. ALAC, AC-3, DTS, WMA, AMR and DRM-protected files are rejected with a clear message.
- No URL input. The file must be on your device. The tool does not fetch from streaming services or bypass DRM.
The full support matrix and browser requirements are on how it works. Privacy details are on privacy.