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WMA Converter - Windows Media Audio Files

Convert WMA to MP3, WAV, FLAC and more. Migrate Windows Media audio to modern formats.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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What is WMA?

WMA (Windows Media Audio) is Microsoft's proprietary audio format, developed as a competitor to MP3. WMA was bundled with Windows Media Player and commonly used in the Windows XP/Vista era.

WMA can provide quality comparable to MP3 at lower bitrates. However, its proprietary nature and limited cross-platform support have made it less popular than MP3 and AAC.

Why Convert WMA Files?

WMA has significant compatibility limitations:

  • Apple devices - iPhone and iPad do not play WMA
  • Many Android players - Some apps do not support WMA
  • Car stereos - WMA support is inconsistent
  • Future-proofing - MP3 and AAC have broader long-term support

Convert WMA to Other Formats

WMA to MP3

Universal compatibility-the most common WMA conversion. MP3 works on every device, player, and platform.

WMA to WAV

Uncompressed audio for editing. Convert WMA before editing to avoid quality loss from re-encoding.

WMA to FLAC

Preserve current quality in lossless format. Note that WMA is already lossy, so FLAC cannot restore lost data.

WMA to M4A

Apple-compatible format. Convert WMA for use with iPhone, iPad, and iTunes.

Convert Other Formats to WMA

Create WMA files for Windows applications:

MP3 to WMA

For specific Windows Media Player workflows. Generally not recommended due to WMA's limited compatibility.

WAV to WMA

Compress audio for Windows-specific applications requiring WMA format.

WMA Technical Specifications

  • Full name: Windows Media Audio
  • Developer: Microsoft
  • File extension: .wma
  • Compression: Lossy (WMA Standard) or Lossless (WMA Lossless)
  • Bitrate range: 48-320 kbps
  • DRM support: Yes (can be protected)
  • Era: Peak usage 2000-2010

WMA Compatibility Issues

Works Well On

  • Windows computers with Windows Media Player
  • Some older portable media players
  • Xbox consoles

Limited or No Support

  • iPhone, iPad, Mac (no native support)
  • Many Android music apps
  • Most car stereos (prefer MP3)
  • Linux systems

How to Convert WMA Files

  1. Upload your WMA file - Select your Windows Media audio
  2. Choose output format - MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A, and more
  3. Download converted file - Play anywhere

Works on Any Device

Convert WMA files in your browser:

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

Pro Tip

If you have a large WMA library from the Windows XP era, batch convert to MP3 at 320kbps. This preserves quality while ensuring your music plays on all modern devices.

Common Mistake

Assuming WMA files will play everywhere. Despite being from Microsoft, WMA has poor cross-platform support. Always convert to MP3 for sharing.

Best For

Converting legacy Windows Media Player libraries to modern, universally compatible formats. Essential for migrating old music collections.

Not Recommended

Do not use WMA for new audio projects. The format has declining support and no advantages over MP3 or AAC for modern use cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apple devices do not support WMA format. This is a long-standing compatibility issue between Microsoft and Apple. Convert WMA to M4A or MP3 for iPhone playback.

WMA can match MP3 quality at lower bitrates. However, MP3 has far wider compatibility. For practical use, MP3 is the better choice despite any marginal quality advantage.

WMA was the default ripping format in Windows Media Player for many years. CDs ripped in the 2000s often created WMA files automatically.

Some WMA files have DRM (digital rights management) that prevents conversion. These protected files may require the original purchase account or may not be convertible.

Yes, if you want to play files on various devices. MP3 is universally compatible. WMA may become harder to play as support decreases over time.

Some quality loss occurs when converting between lossy formats. For practical listening, the difference is usually imperceptible. High-bitrate output minimizes any loss.

WMA Lossless is Microsoft's lossless audio format, similar to FLAC. It provides perfect audio quality but has even less compatibility than standard WMA.

Rarely. WMA usage has declined significantly. Most new audio is in MP3, AAC, or FLAC formats. WMA files typically come from legacy Windows Media Player libraries.

WMA Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.