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Supported Formats
Convert between all major file formats with high quality
Common Formats
MPEG-1 Audio Layer III - the most universal audio format worldwide, using lossy compression to reduce file sizes by 90% while maintaining excellent perceived quality. Perfect for music libraries, podcasts, portable devices, and any scenario requiring broad compatibility. Supports bitrates from 32-320kbps. Standard for digital music since 1993, playable on virtually every device and platform.
Waveform Audio File Format - uncompressed PCM audio providing perfect quality preservation. Standard Windows audio format with universal compatibility. Large file sizes (10MB per minute of stereo CD-quality). Perfect for audio production, professional recording, mastering, and situations requiring zero quality loss. Supports various bit depths (16, 24, 32-bit) and sample rates. Industry standard for professional audio work.
Ogg Vorbis - open-source lossy audio codec offering quality comparable to MP3/AAC at similar bitrates. Free from patents and licensing restrictions. Smaller file sizes than MP3 at equivalent quality. Used in gaming, open-source software, and streaming. Supports variable bitrate (VBR) for optimal quality. Perfect for applications requiring free codecs and good quality. Growing support in media players and platforms.
Advanced Audio Coding - successor to MP3 offering better quality at same bitrate (or same quality at lower bitrate). Standard audio codec for Apple devices, YouTube, and many streaming services. Supports up to 48 channels and 96kHz sample rate. Improved frequency response and handling of complex audio. Perfect for iTunes, iOS devices, video streaming, and modern audio applications. Part of MPEG-4 standard widely supported across platforms.
Free Lossless Audio Codec - compresses audio 40-60% without any quality loss. Perfect bit-for-bit preservation of original audio. Open-source format with no patents or licensing fees. Supports high-resolution audio (192kHz/24-bit). Perfect for archiving music collections, audiophile listening, and scenarios where quality is paramount. Widely supported by media players and streaming services. Ideal balance between quality and file size.
MPEG-4 Audio - AAC or ALAC audio in MP4 container. Standard audio format for Apple ecosystem (iTunes, iPhone, iPad). Supports both lossy (AAC) and lossless (ALAC) compression. Better quality than MP3 at same file size. Includes metadata support for artwork, lyrics, and rich tags. Perfect for iTunes library, iOS devices, and Apple software. Widely compatible across platforms despite Apple association. Common format for purchased music and audiobooks.
Windows Media Audio - Microsoft's proprietary audio codec with good compression and quality. Standard Windows audio format with native OS support. Supports DRM for protected content. Various profiles (WMA Standard, WMA Pro, WMA Lossless). Comparable quality to AAC at similar bitrates. Perfect for Windows ecosystem and legacy Windows Media Player. Being superseded by AAC and other formats. Still encountered in Windows-centric environments and older audio collections.
Lossless Formats
Apple Lossless Audio Codec - Apple's lossless compression reducing file size 40-60% with zero quality loss. Perfect preservation of original audio like FLAC but in Apple ecosystem. Standard lossless format for iTunes and iOS. Supports high-resolution audio up to 384kHz/32-bit. Smaller than uncompressed but larger than lossy formats. Perfect for iTunes library, audiophile iOS listening, and maintaining perfect quality in Apple ecosystem. Comparable to FLAC but with better Apple integration.
Monkey's Audio - high-efficiency lossless compression achieving better ratios than FLAC (typically 55-60% of original). Perfect quality preservation with zero loss. Free format with open specification. Slower compression/decompression than FLAC. Popular in audiophile communities. Limited player support compared to FLAC. Perfect for archiving when maximum space savings desired while maintaining perfect quality. Best for scenarios where storage space is critical and processing speed is not.
WavPack - hybrid lossless/lossy audio codec with unique correction file feature. Can create lossy file with separate correction file for lossless reconstruction. Excellent compression efficiency. Perfect for flexible audio archiving. Less common than FLAC. Supports high-resolution audio and DSD. Convert to FLAC for universal compatibility.
True Audio - lossless audio compression with fast encoding/decoding. Similar compression to FLAC with simpler algorithm. Open-source and free format. Perfect quality preservation. Less common than FLAC with limited player support. Perfect for audio archiving when FLAC compatibility not required. Convert to FLAC for broader compatibility.
Audio Interchange File Format - Apple's uncompressed audio format, equivalent to WAV but for Mac. Stores PCM audio with perfect quality. Standard audio format for macOS and professional Mac audio applications. Supports metadata tags better than WAV. Large file sizes like WAV (10MB per minute). Perfect for Mac-based audio production, professional recording, and scenarios requiring uncompressed audio on Apple platforms. Interchangeable with WAV for most purposes.
Modern Formats
Opus Audio Codec - modern open-source codec (2012) offering best quality at all bitrates from 6kbps to 510kbps. Excels at both speech and music. Lowest latency of modern codecs making it perfect for VoIP and real-time communication. Superior to MP3, AAC, and Vorbis at equivalent bitrates. Used by WhatsApp, Discord, and WebRTC. Ideal for streaming, voice calls, podcasts, and music. Becoming the universal audio codec for internet audio.
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Matroska Audio - audio-only Matroska container supporting any audio codec. Flexible format with metadata support. Can contain multiple audio tracks. Perfect for audio albums with chapters and metadata. Part of Matroska multimedia framework. Used for audiobooks and multi-track audio. Convert to FLAC or MP3 for universal compatibility.
Legacy Formats
MPEG-1 Audio Layer II - predecessor to MP3 used in broadcasting and DVDs. Better quality than MP3 at high bitrates. Standard audio codec for DVB (digital TV) and DVD-Video. Lower compression efficiency than MP3. Perfect for broadcast applications and DVD authoring. Legacy format being replaced by AAC in modern broadcasting. Still encountered in digital TV and video production workflows.
Dolby Digital (AC-3) - surround sound audio codec for DVD, Blu-ray, and digital broadcasting. Supports up to 5.1 channels. Standard audio format for DVDs and HDTV. Good compression with multichannel support. Perfect for home theater and video production. Used in cinema and broadcast. Requires Dolby license for encoding.
Adaptive Multi-Rate - speech codec optimized for mobile voice calls. Excellent voice quality at very low bitrates (4.75-12.2 kbps). Standard for GSM and 3G phone calls. Designed specifically for speech, not music. Perfect for voice recordings, voicemail, and speech applications. Used in WhatsApp voice messages and mobile voice recording. Efficient for voice but inadequate for music.
Sun/NeXT Audio - simple audio format from Sun Microsystems and NeXT Computer. Uncompressed or μ-law/A-law compressed audio. Common on Unix systems. Simple header with audio data. Perfect for Unix audio applications and legacy system compatibility. Found in system sounds and Unix audio files. Convert to WAV or MP3 for modern use.
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RealAudio - legacy streaming audio format from RealNetworks (1990s-2000s). Pioneered internet audio streaming with low-bitrate compression. Obsolete format replaced by modern streaming technologies. Poor quality by today's standards. Convert to MP3 or AAC for modern use. Historical importance in early internet audio streaming.
Specialized Formats
DTS Coherent Acoustics - surround sound codec competing with Dolby Digital. Higher bitrates than AC-3 with potentially better quality. Used in DVD, Blu-ray, and cinema. Supports up to 7.1 channels and object-based audio. Perfect for high-quality home theater. Premium audio format for video distribution. Convert to AC-3 or AAC for broader compatibility.
Core Audio Format - Apple's container for audio data on iOS and macOS. Supports any audio codec and unlimited file sizes. Modern replacement for AIFF on Apple platforms. Perfect for iOS app development and professional Mac audio. No size limitations (unlike WAV). Can store multiple audio streams. Convert to M4A or MP3 for broader compatibility outside Apple ecosystem.
VOC (Creative Voice File) - audio format from Creative Labs Sound Blaster cards. Popular in DOS era (1989-1995) for games and multimedia. Supports multiple compression formats and blocks. Legacy PC audio format. Common in retro gaming. Convert to WAV or MP3 for modern use. Important for DOS game audio preservation.
Speex - open-source speech codec designed for VoIP and internet audio streaming. Variable bitrate from 2-44 kbps. Optimized for speech with low latency. Better than MP3 for voice at low bitrates. Being superseded by Opus. Perfect for voice chat, VoIP, and speech podcasts. Legacy format replaced by Opus in modern applications.
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How to Convert Files
Upload your files, select output format, and download converted files instantly. Our converter supports batch conversion and maintains high quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CAF (Core Audio Format) and where is it used?
CAF (Core Audio Format) is Apple's professional audio container format introduced in Mac OS X Tiger (2005) as part of Core Audio framework. It's designed to overcome limitations of WAV and AIFF - supports files larger than 4GB, any sample rate and bit depth, unlimited channels, flexible metadata, and any audio codec. CAF is Apple's answer to 'perfect' audio container.
Where CAF appears: iOS/Mac audio recording (Voice Memos sometimes use CAF), Logic Pro projects (professional audio production), macOS system sounds, GarageBand recordings, and professional audio applications on Apple platforms. If you've recorded audio on iPhone or Mac, you might have CAF files even if you didn't know the format name.
Should I convert CAF to M4A or MP3?
Strong reasons to convert CAF:
Limited Compatibility
CAF works on Apple devices but not much else. M4A/MP3 work everywhere. Convert for universal playback.
Sharing Files
Sending CAF confuses non-Apple users. 'What's this format?' messages. M4A/MP3 are universally recognized.
Web and Cloud
Browsers don't support CAF. Cloud services expect standard formats. Convert for web playback and online storage.
Android Incompatible
Android phones can't play CAF. If sharing with Android users, convert to AAC/MP3. Cross-platform compatibility essential.
Convert CAF to M4A (Apple-friendly AAC) or MP3 (universal). Keep CAF only for professional Apple-exclusive workflows.
Does converting CAF to M4A lose quality?
CAF to M4A conversion quality:
Depends on Codec
CAF is container. If CAF contains AAC, extracting to M4A is lossless (same codec). If other codec, conversion needed.
AAC CAF to M4A
Perfect quality preservation. Both are AAC codec in different containers. Just rewrapping audio stream.
ALAC CAF to M4A
Lossless ALAC in CAF converts to ALAC M4A perfectly. Both M4A and CAF support ALAC codec.
Lossy to Lossy
If converting CAF with one lossy codec to different lossy (MP3, Opus), quality degrades. Transcoding loss.
PCM/Uncompressed
CAF with PCM converting to AAC M4A is lossy compression. Intentional - huge files become practical sizes.
High-Res Audio
CAF supports any sample rate/bit depth. Converting high-res to standard M4A may downsample. Check settings.
Best Practice
Identify CAF codec first, match output format to codec when possible. Avoid unnecessary transcoding.
CAF codec determines quality outcome. AAC in CAF converts to M4A losslessly. Other codecs may lose quality.
What audio codec is inside my CAF file?
Check with FFmpeg: `ffmpeg -i file.caf` shows audio codec. Look for 'Audio: aac' (lossy), 'Audio: alac' (lossless), 'Audio: pcm' (uncompressed), 'Audio: opus', etc. CAF can contain virtually any codec - AAC, ALAC, PCM, MP3, Opus, FLAC, even obscure formats.
MediaInfo (GUI tool): Displays codec, bitrate, sample rate, channels in readable format. Cross-platform, free. Right-click CAF file, open with MediaInfo, see full technical details. Easier than command-line for casual users.
Why it matters: Knowing codec determines conversion strategy. AAC CAF → extract to M4A without re-encoding. ALAC CAF → keep lossless or convert to FLAC. PCM CAF → compress to AAC/MP3 or keep as WAV. Don't transcode blindly - check codec first.
Can I play CAF files on Windows or Android?
Windows: VLC plays CAF files. foobar2000 with proper codecs can handle CAF. Windows Media Player doesn't support CAF natively. Most consumer Windows software ignores CAF. You need specialized players or conversion.
Android: Native Android doesn't recognize CAF. VLC for Android might play CAF depending on codec inside. Most Android music apps show 'Unsupported format' error. Practically, CAF doesn't work on Android - convert to AAC/MP3 for Android playback.
Recommendation: Don't try to use CAF files cross-platform. Convert to M4A (Apple devices + modern systems) or MP3 (absolute universal compatibility). CAF is Apple-ecosystem format - treat it as such and convert for broader use.
How do I convert CAF to M4A or MP3?
FFmpeg (best method): `ffmpeg -i input.caf -codec:a aac -b:a 256k output.m4a` converts CAF to AAC M4A. For MP3: `ffmpeg -i input.caf -codec:a libmp3lame -q:a 2 output.mp3`. If CAF already contains AAC, use `-codec:a copy` to avoid re-encoding.
macOS native: Open CAF in QuickTime Player, File > Export As, choose format. Or use Finder's 'Encode Selected Audio Files' service (right-click, Services menu). macOS has built-in CAF handling since it's Apple format.
Online converters: Our converter and others support CAF. Upload, choose output format (M4A for quality, MP3 for compatibility), download. Easy for occasional conversions. For batch processing Mac recordings, FFmpeg scripting is most efficient.
Why did Apple create CAF instead of using existing formats?
WAV/AIFF limitations: Both hit 4GB file size limit (32-bit size fields). For professional audio (long recordings, high sample rates, many channels), 4GB isn't enough. CAF uses 64-bit fields - effectively unlimited file sizes. Solves real professional audio problem.
Flexibility: CAF supports any sample rate (including unusual ones), any bit depth, unlimited channels, any codec, extensible metadata, and packet-based streaming. It's designed to be 'future-proof' - whatever audio technology emerges, CAF can wrap it. Very Apple engineering philosophy.
Core Audio integration: CAF is native format for macOS/iOS Core Audio framework. Tight OS integration means efficient processing, system-level support, and seamless use in Apple professional audio apps. However, this Apple-centricity limited adoption elsewhere - classic Apple ecosystem lock-in.
What are CAF technical specifications?
Core Audio Format specifications:
File Size
Supports up to 16 exabytes (64-bit size fields). Effectively unlimited. Solves WAV/AIFF 4GB limit.
Sample Rates
Any sample rate from 1Hz to over 4GHz. Includes non-standard rates. Flexible for research/specialized audio.
Bit Depths
8, 16, 24, 32-bit integer. 32, 64-bit floating point. Any bit depth supported. Professional flexibility.
Channels
Unlimited channels. Mono to massive surround systems. Channel layout metadata included.
Codecs
Supports any codec - AAC, ALAC, PCM, MP3, Opus, FLAC, etc. Codec-agnostic container.
CAF is technically sophisticated - Apple's answer to 'perfect' audio container. Features exceed most users' needs.
Is CAF better than M4A for quality?
No! Container doesn't determine quality - codec does. CAF and M4A can both contain AAC codec at same bitrate with identical quality. CAF can hold uncompressed PCM while M4A typically doesn't (in practice), but that's not 'better quality' - just different use case.
CAF advantages are technical: larger file support, flexible specs, unlimited channels. These matter for professional audio production, not music listening. For consumer music, M4A with AAC 256kbps sounds identical whether it came from CAF or was always M4A.
Choose based on use: CAF for professional Apple audio work (Logic Pro, large files, unusual specs). M4A for music libraries, portable devices, compatibility. Quality is codec-dependent, not container-dependent. Don't fall for format quality myths.
Can CAF files have metadata and artwork?
CAF metadata support:
Rich Metadata
CAF supports extensive metadata - artist, album, title, genre, year, composer, key/value pairs. Flexible system.
Album Artwork
Can embed cover art in CAF files. However, software support is inconsistent - many players don't display CAF artwork.
Technical Information
Sample rate, bit depth, channel layout, codec info stored in file. Professional metadata for production workflows.
Limited Software
Few music library managers support CAF tags well. Better tagging ecosystem for M4A/MP3. Practical limitation.
iTunes Integration
iTunes/Music app handles CAF metadata. But CAF isn't common in iTunes libraries - M4A dominates.
Conversion Preserves
FFmpeg and quality converters transfer CAF metadata to M4A/MP3 during conversion. Tags migrate properly.
Professional Focus
CAF metadata aimed at production (recording details, processing history). Less about consumer music tags.
Recommendation
For music libraries, use M4A - better tag support, better player integration. CAF for production only.
Extensible System
CAF metadata is extensible - can add custom fields. Good for specialized professional applications.
Practical Reality
CAF supports metadata technically but ecosystem support is poor. M4A/FLAC better for organized libraries.
Why isn't CAF more popular?
Apple-only: CAF works best on macOS/iOS. Other platforms have poor support. M4A (also Apple-developed) achieved cross-platform success because it's based on ISO standard (MPEG-4). CAF is Apple-proprietary without industry standardization.
M4A is good enough: For most users, M4A with AAC handles everything they need - good quality, reasonable file sizes, wide compatibility. CAF's advantages (huge files, unlimited channels, exotic specs) matter only to professional audio engineers. Consumer market doesn't need CAF.
Network effects: Everyone uses M4A/MP3, so tools support them. CAF remains niche, so software support is afterthought. Without critical mass, formats fail regardless of technical merit. CAF is technically superior to many alternatives but socially rejected.
How do I batch convert CAF files?
FFmpeg batch - macOS/Linux: `for f in *.caf; do ffmpeg -i "$f" -codec:a aac -b:a 256k "${f%.caf}.m4a"; done`. Converts all CAF in folder to AAC M4A. Adjust bitrate and codec as needed.
Windows PowerShell: `Get-ChildItem -Filter *.caf | ForEach-Object { ffmpeg -i $_.Name -codec:a libmp3lame -q:a 2 "$($_.BaseName).mp3" }`. Batch converts CAF to MP3. Change codec/settings for M4A output.
macOS Automator: Create workflow with 'Encode Media' action. Drag CAF files, choose output format, process batch. Native macOS solution without command line. Good for users uncomfortable with Terminal.
When should I actually use CAF format?
Professional audio production: Recording/editing in Logic Pro, working with large multitrack projects, archiving uncompressed high-resolution audio, or using unusual sample rates. CAF handles professional requirements that standard formats struggle with.
Large file recording: Recording concerts, all-day events, or continuous monitoring where files exceed 4GB. CAF doesn't have WAV/AIFF size limitations. However, RF64 (extended WAV) also solves this and has better cross-platform support.
When NOT to use: Music libraries (use M4A/FLAC), portable devices (use M4A/MP3), sharing files (use M4A/MP3), web playback (use M4A/MP3). CAF is professional production format, not consumer distribution format. Export to standard formats after production work.
Can I use CAF for music library?
Technically yes, practically no. CAF works in iTunes/Music app on macOS/iOS. However: most music players outside Apple ecosystem don't support CAF, tagging software has poor CAF support, sharing libraries with others creates compatibility issues, cloud services don't recognize CAF, car stereos/smart speakers won't play CAF.
M4A is better choice for music libraries: Universal support (Apple devices + Windows + Android + web), excellent tagging ecosystem (Mp3tag, MusicBee work great), cloud-friendly (Google/Amazon/Spotify recognize M4A), portable device compatibility, and same AAC quality if using same bitrate.
Use CAF for production, export to M4A/FLAC for library. Record/edit in CAF if needed, but final archival format should be something with broad compatibility and long-term support guarantees. CAF is transitional format, not archival format.
CAF vs M4A vs WAV - which should I use?
Use CAF for: Professional audio production on Apple platforms (Logic Pro, large projects), recordings exceeding 4GB, unusual sample rates or channel configurations, or projects requiring maximum flexibility. CAF is professional tool for specialized needs.
Use M4A for: Music libraries, portable devices, sharing files, streaming, cloud storage. AAC in M4A container gives excellent quality at reasonable sizes with universal compatibility. Best choice for consumer music listening and mobile devices.
Use WAV for: Quick recording/editing, maximum compatibility (even better than M4A), archival of short recordings, or when you need absolutely universal format. WAV is uncompressed (large files) but works everywhere. For large files (>4GB), use RF64 (extended WAV), not WAV or CAF. Choose practically - CAF for Apple production, M4A for listening, WAV for compatibility.