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Convert MP4 to WAV - Extract Uncompressed Audio from Video

Convert MP4 to WAV - Extract Uncompressed Audio from Video

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Need Uncompressed Audio from Your Video Files?

You have an MP4 video and need the audio in WAV format. Maybe you are editing in Audacity, importing into a DAW, or need raw PCM audio that any software can read. WAV is the universal uncompressed format that every audio application understands without compatibility issues.

Our converter strips the video track and exports the audio as uncompressed WAV with PCM encoding. This gives you a working file you can edit, process, and manipulate in any audio software without format headaches.

How to Convert MP4 to WAV

  1. Upload your MP4 file - Drag and drop your video or browse to select it from your device
  2. Confirm WAV output - The converter extracts audio and encodes it as uncompressed PCM WAV
  3. Download your WAV file - Get your uncompressed audio ready for any player or editing software

The conversion runs entirely in your browser. No software to install, no account to create, and your files remain private throughout the process.

Understanding WAV Audio Format

WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) was developed by Microsoft and IBM as the standard for uncompressed audio on Windows. Unlike MP3 or AAC, WAV stores audio as raw PCM (Pulse-Code Modulation) data without any compression or quality loss from the encoding process.

  • Standard sample rates - 44.1 kHz (CD quality) and 48 kHz (DVD and broadcast standard)
  • Bit depth options - 16-bit is standard for distribution, 24-bit and 32-bit for professional production
  • Typical bitrate - CD-quality stereo WAV runs at 1,411 kbps (44.1 kHz, 16-bit, stereo)
  • File sizes - A 4-minute stereo WAV at CD quality is approximately 40-45 MB

WAV files are significantly larger than compressed formats. That same 4-minute track would be around 8 MB in MP3 or 30 MB in FLAC. The trade-off is universal compatibility and zero encoding artifacts.

What Happens During MP4 to WAV Conversion

Most MP4 files contain AAC audio at bitrates between 128-320 kbps. When you convert to WAV, the converter decodes this compressed audio and saves it as uncompressed PCM. This is essential to understand:

  • MP4 with 256kbps AAC - Decodes to WAV preserving that quality level, but cannot add detail that was never there
  • YouTube or streaming rips - Usually 128-192kbps AAC, WAV captures this exactly without enhancement
  • Professional video with high-bitrate audio - WAV extraction preserves full quality for editing workflows
  • Original recordings - If your MP4 contains high-quality source audio, WAV preserves it completely

Converting to WAV does not improve audio quality. It converts the audio to an uncompressed format that is easier to edit and universally compatible, preserving whatever quality existed in your source file.

When WAV is the Right Choice

Audio Editing and Production

If you are bringing video audio into Audacity, Adobe Audition, Pro Tools, or any DAW, WAV is the safest format. Every audio editor reads WAV without plugins or codecs. You avoid compatibility issues that can occur with AAC or other compressed formats.

Podcast Post-Production

When you record video podcasts or interviews and need to edit the audio separately, extracting to WAV gives you the cleanest starting point. Edit your WAV, then export to MP3 or AAC for distribution. This ensures any processing happens on uncompressed audio.

CD Burning

Audio CDs require 44.1 kHz, 16-bit stereo WAV files. If you are creating audio CDs from video content, WAV is the native format your burning software expects. No additional conversion step needed.

Sample Creation for Music Production

Musicians sampling audio from videos need WAV for clean import into samplers and production software. WAV ensures bit-perfect audio that can be time-stretched, pitch-shifted, and processed without introducing additional artifacts.

WAV vs Other Audio Extraction Formats

When extracting audio from MP4, choosing the right output format matters. Here is when each makes sense:

  • Choose WAV when: You need to edit the audio in software, want universal compatibility, are creating CD audio, or need raw PCM for professional workflows
  • Choose FLAC when: You want archival quality with smaller file sizes than WAV, your software supports FLAC, or storage space is a concern
  • Choose MP3 when: You need maximum compatibility with portable devices, want the smallest file size, or the audio is for casual listening only
  • Choose M4A/AAC when: You primarily use Apple devices or want good quality at moderate file sizes

WAV files are roughly 10 times larger than high-quality MP3 and about twice the size of FLAC for equivalent audio. The benefit is zero compatibility issues and no additional encoding during the extraction process.

Technical Specifications

Our converter produces standard WAV files compatible with all audio software:

  • Encoding - PCM (Pulse-Code Modulation), uncompressed linear audio
  • Sample rate - Preserved from source (typically 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz)
  • Bit depth - 16-bit PCM standard output
  • Channels - Stereo or mono, matching your source audio
  • Container - Standard RIFF WAV format readable by all audio applications

The output matches your source audio specifications. A 48 kHz source produces a 48 kHz WAV. A mono source produces mono WAV. No upsampling or channel changes unless specifically requested.

Batch Convert Multiple Videos

Need to extract audio from a collection of MP4 files? Upload multiple videos at once and convert them all to WAV in a single batch. This is ideal for extracting audio from video archives, processing multiple podcast episodes, or preparing audio from a series of recordings for editing.

Works on Any Device

Our browser-based converter runs entirely in your web browser with no plugins or software to install.

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android devices

Processing happens securely in your browser, and your files remain private throughout the conversion.

Pro Tip

If you plan to edit the extracted audio significantly (noise reduction, EQ, compression), always extract to WAV first. Each edit on a compressed format like MP3 can compound quality loss. Edit the WAV, then export to your final compressed format once at the end.

Common Mistake

Users extract audio from 128kbps web videos to WAV expecting CD quality. The WAV format cannot restore quality that was lost during original compression. Check your source quality first - if it is already low bitrate, you are just creating a larger file with the same audio quality.

Best For

Ideal for audio editing workflows in DAWs and software like Audacity, creating samples for music production, burning audio CDs, or when you need guaranteed compatibility with any audio application without codec issues.

Not Recommended

Not practical for mobile listening or when storage is limited. A single 4-minute WAV is 40+ MB versus 8 MB for MP3. For casual playback or building a music library from videos, MP3 or AAC extraction creates manageable file sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. WAV is an uncompressed format that perfectly preserves the audio from your source file, but it cannot enhance or restore quality. If your MP4 contains 128kbps AAC audio, the WAV will contain that same audio uncompressed but at the same quality level.

WAV stores audio uncompressed at around 1,411 kbps for CD-quality stereo. Your MP4 likely contains AAC audio compressed to 128-320 kbps. A 4-minute WAV file is approximately 40 MB, while the same duration in compressed AAC might be 4-8 MB. The MP4 also includes compressed video taking additional space.

The WAV inherits the sample rate from your MP4 source. Most video content uses 48 kHz audio (DVD and broadcast standard). Content sourced from CDs uses 44.1 kHz. The converter preserves whatever sample rate exists in your original file.

Yes, Audacity natively supports WAV files without any additional plugins or codecs. WAV is the most compatible format for audio editing software. Simply open the converted WAV file directly in Audacity for editing.

Generally not necessary. YouTube audio is compressed to 128-192 kbps AAC. Converting to WAV creates a much larger file without quality improvement. For YouTube content, MP3 extraction at matching quality is more practical unless you specifically need WAV for software compatibility.

Both WAV and FLAC preserve identical audio quality. The difference is file size - FLAC uses lossless compression to reduce files by 50-70% compared to WAV. However, WAV has broader compatibility with older software and hardware that may not support FLAC.

No. WAV is an audio-only format. The conversion extracts the audio track from your MP4 video and saves it as a standalone WAV file. The video content is discarded during this process.

Our converter outputs 16-bit PCM WAV, which is the standard for audio distribution and CD-quality audio. This bit depth provides 96 dB of dynamic range, more than sufficient for music, podcasts, and general audio content.

Yes, if your source audio is 44.1 kHz stereo or the converter produces 44.1 kHz output. Audio CDs require 44.1 kHz, 16-bit stereo WAV. If your source is 48 kHz, you may need to resample before burning.

WAV is better for editing, archiving, and compatibility with professional software. MP3 is better for file size and portable device compatibility. If you plan to edit the audio, extract to WAV. If you just want to listen on your phone, MP3 is more practical.

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