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WMA AAC
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Convert WMA to AAC

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Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jul 19, 2026
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Is it possible to convert WMA to AAC?
Yes - WMA converts to AAC.

You can do it right here with our free converter - no sign-up, and your file is deleted right after.

Upload your .wma file to the converter above for a free, instant result. Both WMA and AAC are lossy, so re-encoding degrades audio slightly - keep source bitrates at 128 kbps or above to minimise the loss. DRM-protected WMA files (old music-store downloads) cannot be converted at all.

Also to AAC: CAF · AIF · AIFF

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Sep 2026

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Why convert WMA to AAC?

WMA is a Microsoft-proprietary format with limited compatibility outside Windows. .AAC is the standard for Apple devices, iOS, Android, and most modern hardware - car stereos, smart speakers, and streaming services all prefer it. Converting lets your audio library play anywhere without depending on Windows Media Player or Windows-only software.

How to convert WMA to AAC

VLC media player FREE

Go to Media > Convert/Save, add your .wma, choose the Audio - AAC (MP4/M4A) profile, set the output path, and click Start.

fre:ac FREE

Add your WMA files to the queue, select AAC as the output encoder, and click Convert.

Freemake Audio Converter FREE

Drag in your .wma file, choose to AAC, and click Convert.

Command line - ffmpeg CLI

Run ffmpeg -i input.wma -c:a aac -b:a 192k output.m4a - adjust -b:a to match your source bitrate.

Programs that convert WMA

Helium Music Manager
Audacity
Adobe Soundbooth
Aimersoft DRM Media Converter for Windows
Any Audio Converter
DVD Ripper+Video Converter Ultimate
FormatFactory
fre:ac

About these formats

.WMA Windows Media Audio

A WMA file is a compressed audio file in Microsoft's Windows Media Audio format. On Windows it plays in the built-in Media Player without any setup; on Mac, Android, or iOS use the free VLC…

Open .WMA details →
.AAC Advanced Audio Coding

An AAC file contains lossy compressed audio encoded with Advanced Audio Coding, the format that replaced MP3 as the default for iTunes, YouTube and digital broadcasting. It plays in VLC,…

Open .AAC details →

Quality & what to watch

  • Both WMA and AAC are lossy; re-encoding combines two rounds of compression, causing a small but permanent quality drop. Bitrates of 128 kbps or higher keep the loss imperceptible for most listeners.
  • DRM-protected WMA files - common with old music-store or library downloads - cannot be converted; VLC, fre:ac, and other tools will fail with a licence error.
  • Output as .m4a rather than raw .aac when possible: the MPEG-4 container supports album art, artist tags, and chapter markers.

Frequently asked questions

Can I convert DRM-protected WMA to AAC?
No. DRM-locked WMA files are tied to a licence on the original device and conversion tools cannot bypass this. If you ripped the CD yourself or the file carries no DRM, conversion works normally.
Will the AAC file sound worse than the original WMA?
Slightly. Lossy-to-lossy conversion always removes a little extra detail, but at 128 kbps or above the difference is usually inaudible for everyday listening.
What is the difference between .aac and .m4a output?
Both use the AAC codec. .m4a wraps it in an MPEG-4 container with full metadata support; .aac is a raw bitstream with minimal tagging. Use .m4a for music and audiobooks.
Does VLC need extra plugins to export AAC?
No - VLC includes AAC encoding natively on all platforms, so no additional codec packs or plugins are required.