M4A to FLAC converter
Turn M4A files into FLAC in seconds, inside this tab. Nothing is uploaded.
- Runs on your device
- No upload
- No sign-up
- Free
Drop M4A files here (any other format works too)
Stays on this device: nothing is uploaded. You can also drag a file here or paste it.
FLAC: archiving CDs and masters, hi-fi listening libraries.
How to convert M4A to FLAC
- Choose your .m4a files or drop them on the box above. You can add several.
- FLAC is already selected. Lossless formats have no bitrate to set.
- Conversion starts straight away. Press Download next to each finished file, or Download all.
M4A vs FLAC
| M4A | FLAC | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MPEG-4 Audio | Free Lossless Audio Codec |
| Type | lossy | lossless |
| Codec | AAC in an MP4 container | FLAC |
| Size | about 1.4 MB at 192 kbps | about 5–6 MB for CD-quality music |
| Plays on | iPhone, Mac, Android, Windows 10+, modern browsers | Android, Windows 10+, macOS and iOS 11+ (Files app), VLC, most hi-fi players |
M4A. M4A is an MP4 file with only an audio track, usually AAC. It is what iPhone Voice Memos, Apple Music downloads and many screen recorders produce.
FLAC. FLAC compresses audio like a ZIP file compresses text: the file gets 40–60% smaller, and every sample comes back bit-for-bit identical on playback.
What happens to quality
FLAC is lossless, but it can’t restore what the M4A encoder already removed. You get an exact copy of the M4A sound in a format editors accept, at a much bigger file size. Hear the difference between lossless and MP3 yourself.
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Questions people ask
How do I convert M4A to FLAC without uploading?
Choose or drop your .m4a file above. AudioKit converts it to FLAC inside your browser with ffmpeg.wasm and gives you a download. The file is never sent to a server, and you can convert several at once.
Will I lose quality converting M4A to FLAC?
FLAC is lossless, but it can’t restore what the M4A encoder already removed. You get an exact copy of the M4A sound in a format editors accept, at a much bigger file size.
Why is the FLAC file so much bigger?
FLAC is lossless: about 5–6 MB for CD-quality music. M4A is compressed (about 1.4 MB at 192 kbps), so expect the FLAC to be several times larger while sounding the same.
Where does M4A play and where does FLAC?
M4A: iPhone, Mac, Android, Windows 10+, modern browsers. FLAC: Android, Windows 10+, macOS and iOS 11+ (Files app), VLC, most hi-fi players.
Is this M4A to FLAC converter safe?
It’s about as private as a converter can be: nothing is uploaded, there is no account and no installer. The page needs a modern browser with WebAssembly (any current Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari).