What is a WAV file?
WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) was introduced by Microsoft and IBM in 1991. A WAV file almost always holds uncompressed PCM audio: a plain list of sample values, with nothing removed or approximated.
That makes WAV the safe choice while you are working on sound. Editors open it instantly, every edit is exact, and nothing degrades however many times you save. It also makes WAV big: CD-quality stereo (16-bit, 44.1 kHz) takes about 10 MB per minute, roughly ten times an MP3 at 128 kbps. That is why finished audio is usually shared as MP3, M4A or Opus, while the WAV stays in the project folder.
WAV at a glance
| Full name | Waveform Audio File Format |
|---|---|
| File extensions | .wav, .wave |
| Created by | Microsoft and IBM |
| Introduced | 1991 |
| Compression | Usually none: uncompressed PCM |
| Codecs inside | PCM, typically 16-bit at 44.1 or 48 kHz |
| Typical size | About 10 MB per minute at CD quality |
| Opens on | Every computer, phone and audio editor |
| Best for | Recording, editing and archiving master audio |
How to open a WAV file
WAV plays in every media player and imports into every audio and video editor. To share it, shrink it with WAV to MP3. Some apps (older samplers, transcription services, phone systems) want WAV specifically: make one with MP3 to WAV.