WAV vs AIFF
How do WAV and AIFFcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.wav
Full guide →Waveform Audio File Format
WAV is an uncompressed audio format that stores raw audio data at full quality. It's the standard format for professional audio editing, music production, and any application where quality is paramount.
.aiff
Full guide →Audio Interchange File Format
AIFF is Apple's uncompressed audio format, the macOS equivalent of WAV. It stores full-quality audio data and is commonly used in professional audio production on Apple systems.
| Specification | WAV | AIFF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Waveform Audio File Format | Audio Interchange File Format |
| Extension | .wav | .aiff |
| MIME type | audio/wav | audio/aiff |
| Category | Audio | Audio |
| Developer | Microsoft / IBM | Apple |
| Year introduced | 1991 | 1988 |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossless |
WAV advantages
- Lossless — full audio quality preserved
- Industry standard for audio production
- Simple format — fast to process
- Universal support on all platforms
WAV limitations
- Very large file sizes
- No compression
- No metadata support in basic format
- Not practical for streaming or sharing
AIFF advantages
- Lossless — full audio quality
- Native macOS support
- Rich metadata support
- Industry standard in Apple-based studios
AIFF limitations
- Very large file sizes
- Less universal than WAV on Windows
- No compression in standard form
- Being replaced by ALAC/FLAC
Which should you use?
Both are excellent audio formats. WAV is preferred for music production and mixing, while AIFF shines at professional audio on macos.
Best uses for WAV
Best uses for AIFF
Convert between WAV and AIFF
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.