Convert MPEG-4 Audio (.m4a) to Waveform Audio (.wav) online for free. Fast, secure audio conversion with no watermarks or registration.
Conversion settings — add a file to adjust
Upload your .m4a 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 .wav file when it's ready.
WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) is the uncompressed audio standard created by Microsoft and IBM in 1991. Converting M4A to WAV decodes the AAC or ALAC audio inside the M4A and writes it as raw PCM samples. WAV is universally supported by every operating system, DAW, audio editor, and hardware device. This conversion is the go-to when you need uncompressed audio for editing, processing, mastering, or feeding into systems that require raw PCM input.
DAWs like Pro Tools, Ableton Live, FL Studio, and Audacity work most efficiently with WAV files. Sample-based instruments and hardware samplers (Akai MPC, Roland SP, Elektron Digitakt) require WAV input. Broadcast and live sound systems often need WAV for reliability — no codec decoding means no latency or compatibility risks. CD mastering requires Red Book-compatible 16-bit/44.1 kHz WAV files.
FFmpeg decodes the M4A container's audio (AAC or ALAC) to PCM and writes it into a WAV container using RIFF structure. WAV stores PCM data in little-endian byte order. Standard settings are 16-bit or 24-bit at 44.1 or 48 kHz. WAV supports up to 32-bit float at 384 kHz. For files over 4 GB, RF64 (WAV64) is required due to the 32-bit size field limitation in standard WAV headers.
If the M4A contains ALAC: the WAV is bit-perfect lossless. If the M4A contains AAC: the WAV faithfully stores the decoded lossy audio. Converting lossy to uncompressed does not improve quality — the file grows ~10x but sounds identical to the M4A played back in real time.
| Device | M4A | WAV |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC | Partial | Native |
| macOS | Native | Partial |
| iPhone/iPad | Native | Partial |
| Android | Partial | Partial |
| Linux | Partial | Partial |
| Web Browser | No |
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 320 kbps
OGG Vorbis preferred
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 256 kbps
AAC format required
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 128 kbps
Lossless FLAC/WAV for best quality
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 128 kbps
MP3 mono for spoken word
M4A to WAV produces universally compatible uncompressed audio for production, mastering, and hardware playback. It is a standard studio workflow step for bringing Apple ecosystem audio into professional tools.
Turvallinen siirto
HTTPS-salatut lataukset
Yksityisyys ensin
Tiedostot poistetaan automaattisesti käsittelyn jälkeen
Ei rekisteröitymistä
Aloita muuntaminen heti
Toimii kaikkialla
Mikä tahansa selain, mikä tahansa laite
| Native |
| Ominaisuus | M4A | WAV |
|---|---|---|
| Koko nimi | MPEG-4 Audio | Waveform Audio File Format |
| Tiedostopääte | .m4a | .wav |
| Paras käyttökohde | Better than MP3 | Lossless quality |