FLACFree Lossless Audio Codec
A lossless audio format: it compresses without removing anything from the sound. Files are much smaller than WAV but far larger than MP3.
- Compression
- Lossless
Convert FLAC to MP3
Turn your FLAC files into MP3 files in seconds. Conversion happens in your browser, so your files are never uploaded to a server.
- Files never uploaded
- Free, no sign-up
- No queue
FLAC664C614300000022
MP34944330400000000
The first bytes of a file often reveal its real format.
or drop them here. You can also paste an image (Ctrl+V).
Free · No sign-up · No upload
Files
These sample files are generated on the page. Convert them to try it out, or add your own.
How to convert FLAC to MP3
- 01
Add your FLAC files
Click “Choose FLAC files” or drop them on the page. You can add several at once.
- 02
Check the MP3 format
MP3 is already selected. Choose the bitrate, from 128 to 320 kbps.
- 03
Convert and download
Click “Convert”, then download your MP3 file. With several files, grab everything at once as a ZIP.
FLAC to MP3: what to know
FLAC is the format of careful CD rips and of music bought as lossless downloads, sometimes in “high resolution” (24-bit, 96 kHz or more). The conversion decodes the file, brings it to 44.1 kHz, then encodes it as a constant-bitrate MP3. Depending on the music, a 320 kbps MP3 is two to three times smaller than a CD-quality FLAC. A 5.1 or 7.1 file is mixed down to stereo, centre and surround channels included; the bass channel (LFE) is left out, as in a standard stereo mix, and a message says so.
What MP3 removes first is the extreme treble: at 128 kbps the encoder filters out everything above roughly 17 kHz, at 192 kbps around 18.6 kHz, and at 320 kbps around 20.5 kHz. For music played on headphones, 256 or 320 kbps is therefore a safe choice. The edge of a high-resolution FLAC does not survive the conversion: the MP3 is always 44.1 kHz.
FLAC vs MP3: what’s the difference?
MP3MPEG-1 Audio Layer III
The most universal audio format. Its compression shrinks files a lot while keeping good listening quality, and it plays on every device.
- Compression
- Lossy
FLAC to MP3: frequently asked questions
Are my FLAC artwork and tags kept in the MP3?
Yes. Title, artist, album, track number, date, genre, comment and embedded artwork are copied into the MP3 as ID3v2.3 tags, which music players read; the FLAC’s other comments are kept there as TXXX tags. The MP3 also keeps the original file name.
Why is there a short gap between tracks of a live album converted to MP3?
MP3 always adds a brief silence at the start and end of each file. To play tracks back to back without a break, players rely on a special header, which the MP3s created here do not contain. For a concert, a DJ mix or an opera, keep the FLAC, or convert the album in one go if you have it as a single FLAC file.
Are my FLAC files uploaded to the internet?
No. The file is read and converted by your browser, on your device. Nothing is sent to a server, and nothing is kept after you close the page.
Does converting FLAC to MP3 reduce quality?
MP3 is a lossy format. At the default bitrate (192 kbps) the difference is inaudible to most listeners; choose 320 kbps for the best quality.
How many FLAC files can I convert?
As many as you like, for free and without signing up. Add them all, then download the results one by one or in a single ZIP. The maximum size depends on your device and browser, with a few caps that protect its memory (for example 20,000 files per archive or 5 million filled cells per workbook: see the home page FAQ); a file over one of them is not converted, and a message says so.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Formatomat is designed for recent browsers on computers, iPhone and Android, with no app to install. A conversion the browser cannot do (a format it cannot read or write) is refused with a message that says so.