.flac — Free Lossless Audio Codec
A lossless audio format for preserving music quality while still reducing file size.
About this format
FLAC compresses audio without throwing away information. It is a good archive format for music, recordings, and source audio.
Use FLAC when quality preservation matters. Convert to AAC, Opus, or MP3 when file size and device compatibility matter more.
Real-world samples & file sizes
FLAC samples should be judged in the sizes people actually receive, upload, or export. These reference cards show the common shapes and settings to check before choosing a conversion target.
spoken audio
Checks speech clarity and low-bitrate behavior.
music sample
Checks stereo image, transients, and codec artifacts.
small export
A practical range for sharing or streaming constrained files.
source copy
Use when quality preservation matters more than size.
Reference dimensions are platform-style targets. Compatibility and format facts are verified from the linked online sources below.
Pros
- +Lossless audio compression
- +Open and widely supported
- +Good metadata support
Cons
- −Larger than lossy formats
- −Not ideal for tiny uploads
- −Some older devices do not support it
FLAC vs other formats
| vs | Size | Quality | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| MP3/AAC | FLAC is larger | FLAC is lossless | Use lossy formats for smaller listening copies. |
| WAV | FLAC is smaller | Both can be lossless | FLAC is usually better for storage. |
Where it works
- Windows 10+
- macOS via Music/Finder support varies
- Linux native players
- Chrome / Edge / Firefox support FLAC
- Safari support varies by version
- VLC
- foobar2000
- Audacity
- MusicBee
- Plex
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
- Is FLAC better than MP3?
- For preservation, yes. For small listening copies, MP3/AAC/Opus are usually smaller.
- Can FLAC be converted without quality loss?
- Converting FLAC to another lossless format can preserve quality; converting to lossy formats will discard information.
Sources
- FLAC official format documentation - official FLAC bitstream and metadata format
- Library of Congress file format descriptions - archival format descriptions and sustainability notes