Large Audio Files Taking Up Space?
AIFF files deliver excellent audio quality, but they're enormous. A single 4-minute song in AIFF format takes around 40MB of storage. That same song as an MP3? About 4MB. Converting to MP3 gives you 90% space savings while keeping your music sounding great.
If you work with AIFF files from Logic Pro, GarageBand, or professional recording sessions, converting to MP3 makes your audio portable and universally compatible.
How to Convert AIFF to MP3
- Upload your AIFF file - Drag and drop or click to select your audio
- Confirm MP3 output - MP3 is selected as the default for maximum compatibility
- Download your MP3 - Your compressed audio is ready to use anywhere
The entire process happens in your browser. No software downloads, no account required.
Why AIFF Files Are So Large
Apple developed AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) in 1988 for professional audio work. Unlike MP3, AIFF stores audio without any compression:
- Uncompressed audio - Every sound wave is stored exactly as recorded
- CD-quality standard - 16-bit, 44.1kHz sampling rate
- Lossless quality - No data is discarded during encoding
This makes AIFF perfect for audio editing but impractical for everyday listening or sharing. MP3 uses smart compression to reduce file size by roughly 11:1 while preserving what human ears actually hear.
When to Convert AIFF to MP3
Sharing Music
Email attachments have size limits. A single AIFF song might exceed them. MP3 files share easily via email, messaging apps, or file transfer services.
Mobile Listening
Your phone's storage fills up fast with AIFF files. In our testing, converting a 50-song album from AIFF to MP3 freed up over 1.5GB of space.
Web Uploads
Platforms like SoundCloud, podcast hosts, and websites typically accept MP3 but may reject or poorly handle AIFF uploads.
Non-Apple Devices
Android phones, Windows Media Player, and many car stereos don't support AIFF natively. MP3 works on virtually every device made in the last 25 years.
AIFF vs MP3 - What Changes
Here's what happens when you convert:
- File size - Drops by approximately 90%
- Compatibility - Increases dramatically (MP3 works everywhere)
- Audio quality - Slight reduction, but inaudible in most listening situations
- Editability - MP3 is less ideal for professional editing (keep your AIFF masters)
For casual listening, streaming, or sharing, MP3 quality is more than sufficient. Audiophiles doing critical listening or producers needing source files should keep their originals.
Alternative Formats to Consider
MP3 is the most compatible choice, but depending on your needs:
- AIFF to AAC - Better quality than MP3 at the same file size, ideal for Apple devices
- AIFF to FLAC - Lossless compression (about 50% smaller), preserves full quality
- AIFF to OGG - Open-source alternative to MP3, good quality-to-size ratio
For maximum compatibility across all devices, stick with MP3.
Works on Any Device
Convert AIFF to MP3 directly in your browser:
- Mac, Windows, Linux, Chromebook
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones
No plugins required. Your files stay private - conversion happens locally.