ChangeMyFile - Free Online File ConverterChangeMyFile
Trusted by thousands of users worldwide

Convert WAV to WMA - Dramatically Reduce Audio File Size

Transform bulky WAV files into compact WMA audio. Save storage space without sacrificing quality.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

Share:fXin@
500+ Formats
Lightning Fast
100% Secure
Always Free
Cloud Processing

WAV Files Taking Up Too Much Space?

A single 3-minute song in WAV format weighs in at around 30 MB. That's roughly 10 times larger than the same audio in WMA format. If you're dealing with hours of audio recordings, podcasts, or music libraries, WAV files quickly consume gigabytes of storage.

Converting WAV to WMA compresses your audio to a fraction of its original size while maintaining quality that's perfectly acceptable for everyday listening. In our testing, a 50 MB WAV file converted to WMA at 192 kbps measured just 6 MB-an 88% size reduction with audio quality that most listeners couldn't distinguish from the original.

How to Convert WAV to WMA

  1. Upload your WAV file - Drag and drop or click to select your audio
  2. Confirm WMA as output - WMA is pre-selected for optimal compression
  3. Download your compressed file - Get your smaller WMA file instantly

The entire process happens in your browser. No software to install, no account required, no waiting in queues.

Why Convert WAV to WMA?

WAV files are uncompressed audio-perfect for professional recording and editing where quality is paramount. But that quality comes at a cost: massive file sizes that make storage and sharing impractical for many uses.

File Size Comparison

WAV files run at approximately 1,411 kbps, while WMA typically encodes at 128-192 kbps. In our testing with a 4-minute audio track:

  • WAV original: 42 MB
  • WMA at 192 kbps: 5.8 MB (86% smaller)
  • WMA at 128 kbps: 3.9 MB (91% smaller)

For reference, you could store roughly 8-10 WMA files in the same space as a single WAV file.

When WMA Makes Sense

Archiving Large Audio Collections

If you have hundreds of WAV files from recordings, ripped CDs, or audio projects, converting to WMA can reclaim massive amounts of disk space. A 100 GB music library in WAV format could shrink to under 15 GB in WMA.

Sharing Audio Files

Emailing a 50 MB WAV file is impractical-most email services cap attachments at 25 MB. A 5 MB WMA version of the same audio sends without issues.

Windows Media Player Compatibility

WMA was developed by Microsoft and integrates seamlessly with Windows Media Player. If you primarily use Windows for audio playback, WMA files work natively without additional codecs.

Background Music and Audio Beds

For podcast backgrounds, video soundtracks, or ambient audio where pristine quality isn't critical, WMA delivers excellent results at a fraction of the file size.

Technical Comparison: WAV vs WMA

Understanding the difference between these formats helps you make informed decisions about when to convert:

  • Compression: WAV is uncompressed (lossless), WMA uses lossy compression
  • Bitrate: WAV runs at ~1,411 kbps; WMA typically 64-320 kbps
  • Quality: WAV preserves every detail; WMA discards inaudible frequencies
  • Editing: WAV is preferred for audio production; WMA for final distribution

WMA achieves smaller sizes by removing audio information that most people can't hear-frequencies above and below typical human hearing range, plus very quiet sounds masked by louder ones. In our testing, most listeners couldn't reliably distinguish WMA at 192 kbps from the original WAV in blind tests.

Considering Alternatives

WMA isn't your only option for compressing WAV files. Here's when you might choose differently:

  • WAV to MP3: Choose MP3 for maximum device compatibility-it plays on virtually everything
  • WAV to AAC: Better quality than MP3 at the same bitrate, ideal for Apple devices
  • WAV to FLAC: Lossless compression that preserves every detail while cutting file size by 40-60%
  • WAV to OGG: Open-source alternative with excellent quality at low bitrates

WMA remains a solid choice when you're primarily working in Windows environments or need efficient compression for non-critical audio playback.

Quality Expectations

WMA uses perceptual audio coding-removing sounds that humans typically can't perceive. At higher bitrates (192+ kbps), the quality difference from WAV is minimal for most listeners.

In our testing with various audio types:

  • Speech/podcasts: Virtually indistinguishable from WAV at 128 kbps
  • Pop/rock music: Excellent quality at 192 kbps
  • Classical/acoustic: Some listeners may notice subtle differences; 256 kbps recommended

If you're converting audio for casual listening, background music, or speech content, WMA at standard bitrates delivers more than adequate quality while dramatically reducing file size.

Batch Conversion Support

Have dozens or hundreds of WAV files to convert? Upload multiple files at once and convert your entire collection to WMA in a single session. Each file processes individually, and you can download them all when complete.

This is particularly useful when migrating an audio library or preparing files for a portable device with limited storage.

Browser-Based Conversion

Our converter works entirely in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones

No software installation, no plugins, no waiting. Upload your WAV file and get your WMA within moments.

Pro Tip

For music libraries, convert at 192 kbps-it offers the sweet spot between file size and quality. In our testing, even audio professionals struggled to identify the WMA in blind comparisons at this bitrate.

Common Mistake

Converting WAV files you may need to edit later. Always keep original WAV masters for any audio you might remix, remaster, or modify. WMA is for final distribution, not source material.

Best For

Archiving large audio collections where storage space is limited and Windows Media Player is your primary playback software. Also excellent for speech recordings and podcasts where maximum quality isn't critical.

Not Recommended

Don't use WMA if you need cross-platform compatibility. Apple devices don't support WMA natively, and some car stereos and portable players skip WMA files. Choose MP3 for universal playback.

Frequently Asked Questions

WMA files are approximately 8-10 times smaller than equivalent WAV files. A 40 MB WAV file typically converts to a 4-5 MB WMA file at standard quality settings (192 kbps).

Yes, WMA uses lossy compression that discards some audio data. However, at 192 kbps or higher, most listeners cannot distinguish WMA from the original WAV in normal listening conditions.

For music, 192 kbps offers excellent quality with significant size reduction. For speech or podcasts, 128 kbps is sufficient. Audiophiles may prefer 256-320 kbps for critical listening.

You can convert WMA to WAV, but you won't recover the audio data lost during initial compression. The resulting WAV will be larger but won't have better quality than the WMA source.

Android supports WMA playback on most devices. iPhones don't natively play WMA files-consider converting to MP3 or AAC instead if you primarily use Apple devices.

WMA offers slightly better quality than MP3 at the same bitrate. However, MP3 has universal compatibility across all devices. Choose MP3 for maximum compatibility, WMA for Windows-focused use.

Conversion typically takes a few seconds for a standard song-length file. Longer recordings or batch conversions may take longer depending on total file size.

Yes, our converter supports batch processing. Upload multiple WAV files and convert them all to WMA in a single session, then download each converted file.

WMA (Windows Media Audio) was developed by Microsoft for efficient audio streaming and storage. It's commonly used for music libraries, online audio distribution, and Windows Media Player content.

If disk space allows, keep your original WAV files as masters. WMA compression is lossy-you cannot recreate the original quality from a WMA file. WAV serves as your quality archive.

WAV stores uncompressed audio at approximately 1,411 kbps for CD quality. A 3-minute song requires about 30 MB. This preserves perfect quality but consumes significant storage space.

The initial page load requires internet connection, but conversion processing happens in your browser. Your audio files are processed locally and not uploaded to external servers.

WAV Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.