audio format

What is a .WAV file?

WAV is an uncompressed, lossless audio format storing full-quality sound in large files — ideal for editing and mastering.

Full name
Waveform Audio File Format
Developed by
Microsoft / IBM
Released
1991
Extension
.wav
MIME type
audio/wav
Transparency
No

How to open a WAV file

WAV plays in every media player and audio editor.

What WAV files are used for

Music & podcasts

Listening on any device or app.

Editing & mastering

Production-quality source audio.

Voice notes & clips

Lightweight recordings to share.

Strengths & limitations

✔ Strengths✖ Limitations
Lossless — keeps full qualityNo transparency support
Excellent compatibilityLarge file sizes

Tools for this format

Convert, compress and edit — free, in your browser.

Need more than a conversion?

Remove the background from WAV images, upscale to 4K, or generate new visuals with SharkFoto AI.

Frequently asked questions

WAV is an uncompressed, lossless audio format storing full-quality sound in large files — ideal for editing and mastering.

WAV plays in every media player and audio editor.

Yes — WAV preserves full quality with no compression loss.

Use SharkFoto's free tools — upload your WAV file and convert it to a more convenient format in seconds. It's free, processed securely and never stored.

No — WAV doesn't store transparency; convert to PNG or WEBP if you need it.