Definition
WAV — WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) is an audio file format created by Microsoft and IBM that usually stores sound as uncompressed PCM samples. Because nothing is thrown away, WAV keeps every detail of its source, but files are large: CD-quality stereo needs roughly 10 MB per minute.
How WAV stores sound
A WAV file is a simple wrapper, based on the RIFF structure, around raw audio samples. The most common type is PCM: the sound wave is measured thousands of times per second and each measurement is written down as a number. Two settings decide the quality and the size:
- Sample rate: how many measurements per second, for example 44,100 Hz (CD) or 48,000 Hz (common for video).
- Bit depth: how precise each measurement is, for example 16-bit or 24-bit.
At 44.1 kHz, 16-bit stereo, the data rate is about 1,411 kbps, or roughly 10 MB for every minute of audio.
WAV vs compressed formats
| Format | Type | Approx. size, 3-minute song |
|---|---|---|
| WAV (16-bit, 44.1 kHz) | Uncompressed | about 30 MB |
| MP3 320 kbps | Lossy | about 7 MB |
| M4A (AAC 256 kbps) | Lossy | about 6 MB |
Why WAV matters when saving audio from videos
Online videos carry compressed audio, usually AAC or Opus. Converting that track to WAV decodes it once and stores the result without further loss. It does not bring back detail removed by the original compression. In other words, WAV preserves what the video had, nothing more. See lossless vs lossy for the full picture.
So why choose WAV at all? Because it is the most editing-friendly format there is:
- Audacity, GarageBand, FL Studio, Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve import it instantly.
- Each later export starts from a clean copy, so you avoid stacking one lossy encode on another.
- Sample-accurate cutting and looping work without the small gaps some compressed formats add.
For simple listening on a phone, WAV wastes space; MP3 or M4A is a better fit.
Getting WAV from a video
SaveVidr's video to WAV converter extracts the soundtrack as a WAV file ready for editing. Use it for samples, voice-overs or remixes you have permission to work with.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is WAV better than MP3?
WAV is uncompressed and therefore never adds compression loss, but when it is made from an already-compressed source it cannot sound better than that source.
How big is a WAV file?
CD-quality stereo WAV is about 10 MB per minute; higher sample rates or 24-bit depth make it larger.