Convert AIF to WMA — Free Online Converter
Convert Audio Interchange File Format (.aif) to Windows Media Audio (.wma) online for free. Fast, secure audio conversion with no watermarks or regist...
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Upload your .aif file by dragging it into the upload area or clicking to browse.
Choose your output settings. The default settings work great for most files.
Click Convert and download your .wma file when it's ready.
About AIF to WMA Conversion
AIF is Apple's uncompressed PCM audio format from 1988, storing big-endian audio in an IFF-derived container built for professional use on classic Mac OS. WMA (Windows Media Audio) is Microsoft's proprietary audio codec family, introduced in 1999, stored within the ASF (Advanced Systems Format) container. WMA was designed as Microsoft's answer to MP3 and AAC, tightly integrated with Windows Media Player and the Windows ecosystem.
Converting AIF to WMA transcodes Apple's uncompressed format into Microsoft's proprietary lossy codec. This bridges two historically competing ecosystems — moving audio from Mac's lossless standard to Windows' compressed format. WMA Standard typically delivers quality comparable to MP3 at similar bitrates.
Why Convert AIF to WMA?
WMA is natively supported on all Windows PCs, Xbox consoles, and many standalone media players from the early 2000s-era portable music player ecosystem. If your target audience or systems are Windows-centric and lack support for AIF (which is not natively recognized by Windows), WMA provides a familiar, fully compatible format.
Some legacy enterprise systems, corporate media servers, and Windows Media Services deployments require WMA format for audio content. Government and institutional Windows deployments may mandate WMA for internal media distribution. Converting AIF to WMA ensures compatibility with these Microsoft-standardized environments.
Common Use Cases
- Converting Mac-originated AIF recordings for distribution on Windows enterprise networks
- Preparing AIF audio for playback on Xbox consoles and Windows Media Center systems
- Migrating legacy Mac audio archives to WMA for Windows-based asset management systems
- Creating WMA audio files from AIF sources for older portable Windows media players
- Delivering AIF narration as WMA for integration into legacy Windows-based e-learning platforms
How It Works
FFmpeg decodes the AIF container's big-endian PCM stream and encodes using the wmav2 codec (WMA Standard v2) within an ASF container. WMA uses a modified DCT-based compression algorithm. Standard bitrates range from 32 kbps (speech quality) to 192 kbps (high quality). The ASF container adds header objects, data objects, and index objects for seeking. WMA Pro (wmapro codec) offers higher quality at the same bitrates but has reduced player compatibility.
Quality & Performance
WMA at 192 kbps delivers good quality from the lossless AIF source — comparable to MP3 at similar bitrates. At 128 kbps, quality is acceptable for casual listening. WMA performs slightly better than MP3 at bitrates below 128 kbps. Since AIF provides uncompressed PCM, the WMA encoder works from a perfect source without pre-existing compression artifacts. WMA is generally considered inferior to AAC at equivalent bitrates.
Device Compatibility
| Device | AIF | WMA |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC | Partial | Native |
| macOS | Partial | Partial |
| iPhone/iPad | Partial | Partial |
| Android | Partial | Partial |
| Linux | Partial | Partial |
| Web Browser | No | No |
Recommended Settings by Platform
Spotify
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 320 kbps
OGG Vorbis preferred
Apple Music
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 256 kbps
AAC format required
SoundCloud
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 128 kbps
Lossless FLAC/WAV for best quality
Podcast
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 128 kbps
MP3 mono for spoken word
Tips for Best Results
- 1Use 192 kbps WMA Standard (wmav2) for the best quality from your lossless AIF source
- 2WMA is primarily useful for legacy Windows systems — for modern use, prefer AAC or Opus
- 3WMA Lossless exists but has very limited player support — FLAC is a better lossless choice
- 4Keep the original AIF file as a master since WMA encoding is lossy and irreversible
- 5Test WMA output in Windows Media Player to verify compatibility with your target Windows deployment
AIF to WMA converts Apple's uncompressed format to Microsoft's proprietary audio codec. Use it when Windows ecosystem compatibility is specifically required. For modern cross-platform use, AAC or Opus are superior alternatives.