How to convert FLAC to AAC
- Add your .FLAC file - drop it in the box above or click to browse.
- Convert it to .AAC in a few seconds.
- Download your new .AAC file.
What to expect
- This is a lossless-to-lossy step: audio data is permanently discarded and the result cannot be restored to FLAC quality.
- Choosing a higher AAC bitrate keeps the result closer to the source but makes the file larger.
- Tags and cover art embedded in the FLAC may not all carry across, since FLAC and AAC use different metadata schemes.
Frequently asked questions
Does converting FLAC to AAC lose quality?
Yes. FLAC is lossless, while AAC is a lossy format, so the encoder permanently discards some audio data to shrink the file. At higher bitrates the difference is hard to hear, but it cannot be reversed back to the original.
Why convert FLAC to AAC?
AAC became the default format for iTunes, YouTube and digital broadcasting, and it plays natively on Apple devices where FLAC often does not. It also produces much smaller files than lossless FLAC for the same listening length.
Where will the AAC file play?
AAC plays in VLC, in Windows Media Player on Windows 10/11, and in the Music app on Apple devices. Support is far broader than for FLAC on phones and consumer gear.
How much smaller is the AAC file?
Considerably smaller. FLAC only halves the size of uncompressed audio, whereas lossy AAC typically stores the same music at a fraction of that size depending on the chosen bitrate.
Programs that convert FLAC: Helium Music Manager · fre:ac · Freemake Audio Converter · MediaCoder · Movavi Audio Suite Personal · SUPER · Switch Audio File Converter Software · xrecode
