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WMA FLAC
File conversion

Convert WMA to FLAC

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Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jul 14, 2026
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Is it possible to convert WMA to FLAC?
Yes - WMA converts to FLAC.

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

The fastest free path is VLC: open Media > Convert/Save, add your .wma file, pick the FLAC profile, and export. The key caveat: standard WMA is a lossy format, so the FLAC output just stores that same compressed audio in a bigger container - quality does not increase.

Also to FLAC: SHN · OGA · CUE

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Sep 2026

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Why convert WMA to FLAC?

FLAC is an open lossless format with near-universal support in music players, NAS devices, and home audio servers, while WMA has limited compatibility outside Windows. Converting WMA Lossless files to .FLAC gives you genuine lossless audio in a widely accepted container. For ordinary lossy WMA, the usual reason to convert is compatibility, though MP3 or M4A are smaller alternatives for that purpose.

How to convert WMA to FLAC

VLC media player FREE

Go to Media > Convert/Save, add your .wma file, select the FLAC audio profile, set a destination, and click Start.

fre:ac OPEN-SOURCE

Add your WMA files to the queue, select FLAC as the output encoder, and click the Play button to convert.

Freemake Audio Converter FREE

Drag your .wma file into Freemake, click the FLAC output button, and hit Convert.

MediaMonkey FREE

Right-click your WMA tracks in the library, choose Convert Format, select .flac as the target, and click OK.

Command line - ffmpeg CLI

Run ffmpeg -i input.wma output.flac - ffmpeg decodes the WMA and encodes the PCM to FLAC in one step.

Programs that convert WMA

Helium Music Manager
Magic FLAC to MP3 Converter
MediaMonkey
Freemake Audio Converter
Movavi Audio Suite Personal
fre:ac
MediaCoder
Movavi VideoSuite Personal

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 →
.FLAC Free Lossless Audio Codec

A FLAC file is lossless compressed audio - it shrinks a recording to roughly half the WAV size with no quality loss. Play it free with VLC or foobar2000 on Windows, VLC or IINA on Mac, and…

Open .FLAC details →

Quality & what to watch

  • Standard WMA is a lossy format; the FLAC output stores decoded PCM but the quality loss from the original WMA encode is already permanent - you get a bigger file, not better audio.
  • WMA Lossless is the exception: if the codec reads as WMAL or WMA Lossless in VLC's Media Information, conversion to FLAC is a true lossless transcode.
  • DRM-protected WMA files - common with older store downloads - cannot be converted; VLC will report a licence error and no free tool can legally bypass it.

Frequently asked questions

Does converting WMA to FLAC improve sound quality?
No - standard WMA is lossy, and the quality ceiling is set by the original WMA encode. Only WMA Lossless files convert to FLAC without any quality loss.
Why won't VLC open my WMA file?
The most common reason is DRM. Older WMA files from music stores are tied to a Windows Media licence; VLC will report a licence error and cannot proceed.
How do I check if my WMA is lossless or lossy?
Open the file in VLC and go to Tools > Media Information > Codec tab. If the codec name shows WMA Lossless or WMAL it is lossless; WMA or WMA2 means standard lossy.
Should I convert lossy WMA to FLAC or MP3?
For ordinary lossy WMA, MP3 or M4A are better targets - they are smaller and just as widely supported. FLAC from a lossy WMA wastes storage without any quality benefit.