FLAC file format
Free Lossless Audio Codec
FLAC compresses audio losslessly — the decoded sound is bit-for-bit identical to the original — while taking roughly half the space of WAV. It's the standard for hi-fi and music archives.
| Property | FLAC |
|---|---|
| File extensions | .flac |
| MIME type | audio/flac |
| Introduced | 2001 by Josh Coalson / Xiph.Org |
| Compression | Lossless |
| Typical bitrate | ≈ 700–1,100 kbps |
| 3-minute song | ≈ 18–24 MB |
| Tags and cover art | Yes (with cover art) |
| Compatibility | Android, Windows 10+, macOS, most players and hi-fi gear |
| Best for | Archiving music without quality loss |
What is a FLAC file?
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) was released in 2001 and later maintained by the Xiph.Org Foundation. It compresses PCM audio like a ZIP file compresses data: nothing is thrown away, so a FLAC decodes to exactly the same samples as the source WAV, typically at 50–70% of the size.
Strengths and weaknesses
FLAC is lossless, open, supports tags and cover art, and handles hi-res audio up to 32-bit. Files are still 4–6 times larger than MP3, and some Apple apps prefer ALAC.
When should you use FLAC?
Archive CDs, recordings and masters as FLAC. Convert to MP3 or AAC for phones and portable players where space matters.