What Is FLAC File Format – Everything You Want to Know

What does FLAC mean? What is a FLAC file? How to open FLAC files? In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this audio format. In addition, you will also learn what the differences between FLAC, MP3, and WAV are, to make the right choice for your listening needs.

FLAC, short for Free Lossless Audio Codec, is a popular audio file format. It employs a lossless compression algorithm, meaning that it retains the original audio information during compression and decompression. Therefore, FLAC files are ideal for archiving music collections as they offer compact file sizes without compromising sound quality.

Besides providing high-fidelity sound quality, FLAC also shows great compatibility with a wide range of playback software and devices. Most operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux, have built-in support for FLAC files. This means that you can just double-click on the FLAC file, and it will automatically open and play using the default media player.

Alternatively, you can choose to open it with a third-party FLAC player. Many popular media players support FLAC decoding. Here we list some for your reference:

Windows:

• VLC Media Player
• KM Player
• GOM Player
• Real Player
• Winamp
• foobar2000

Mac:

• VLC Media Player
• Audirvana
• Colibri
• JustPlay
• VOX
• JustPlay

iPhone:

• VLC Media Player
• VOX
• Doppler
• FLAC Player+
• Flacbox

Android:

• VLC Media Player
• Lark Player
• Music Player & MP3 Player
• Poweramp
• AIMP

There is another way to play FLAC files more easily. Convert it to a format supported by your target using a FLAC audio converter. Here we highly recommend WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory. This is a free yet powerful audio converter, letting you convert FLAC to MP3, WAV, AAC, WMA, etc., and vice versa. Additionally, if needed, you can adjust audio settings such as codec, sample rate, bitrate, channels, and volume to manage the output quality.

Download and install this freeware on your PC. Then learn how to convert FLAC with simple clicks:

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Two common alternatives to FLAC are MP3 and WAV formats. But do you know what the differences are and when to choose FLAC? To help, we’ve created a comparison table and outlined some important factors you should consider when deciding which format to use, including audio quality and file size. For full details, check out the comparison chart below:

What is FLAC file format? Hopefully, this article has made it clear. Plus, with the recommended player and converter in our article, you can now immerse yourself in the world of lossless audio.

The answer depends on your priorities and how you plan to use the audio files. If you prioritize the audio quality and are willing to sacrifice some storage space, then choose FLAC. But if you have limited storage on your device and are with a slight trade-off in audio quality, MP3 is a better choice.

Known for its ability to compress audio without any loss in quality, FLAC files are commonly used for archiving music collections, lossless audio editing, Hi-Fi audio streaming, mastering and distribution in professional audio production.

FLAC and WAV both offer highest possible audio quality, but they differ in file size and compatibility. FLAC provides a good compromise on file size, while for broader compatibility, WAV performs better.