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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 M4R and how is it different from M4A?
M4R is Apple's iPhone ringtone format - it's literally identical to M4A (AAC audio in MPEG-4 container) with only the file extension changed to .m4r. When you create custom iPhone ringtone, iTunes/Music app changes .m4a to .m4r. iOS recognizes .m4r as ringtone, .m4a as regular music. Same audio format, different purpose label.
The only real difference: 30-second length limit for ringtones. M4R files are typically 15-30 seconds (iOS ringtone duration limit). M4A files can be any length. Audio quality, codec, container structure - all identical. M4R is marketing designation, not technical format difference.
Should I convert M4R to M4A or MP3?
Reasons to convert M4R:
Non-iPhone Devices
M4R only recognized by iOS. Android, Windows, other systems treat it as unknown format. Convert for compatibility.
Music Players
Music library software ignores M4R files. Converting to M4A makes them playable in your library.
Sharing Audio
Sending M4R confuses non-iPhone users. 'Can't play this file' messages. M4A/MP3 work universally.
Extract Audio Clips
If you want audio from ringtone for other purposes, convert to standard format. Unlock content.
Convert M4R to M4A (keep AAC quality) or MP3 (maximum compatibility). Or just rename .m4r to .m4a - it works!
Does converting M4R to M4A lose quality?
M4R to M4A conversion quality:
Zero Loss if Renaming
M4R and M4A are identical format. Renaming .m4r to .m4a is lossless - same file, different extension.
Zero Loss if Extracting
FFmpeg with `-codec:a copy` extracts AAC without re-encoding. Perfect quality preservation.
Loss if Transcoding
Converting M4R AAC to MP3 is lossy-to-lossy transcoding. Some quality degradation. Avoid if possible.
Already Compressed
M4R uses AAC (lossy codec). Converting to another lossy format compounds compression artifacts.
Recommended Method
For M4A output: rename or extract without re-encoding. For MP3: accept transcoding loss or find original source.
Best Practice
If keeping AAC format, simple rename preserves everything. Only transcode if you absolutely need different codec.
Quality Already Limited
Ringtones often use lower bitrates (128kbps typical). Quality ceiling is low. Additional loss from transcoding matters less.
M4R to M4A is lossless (just rename). M4R to MP3 loses quality but ringtones already compressed, so impact is minor.
Can I just rename M4R to M4A?
Yes! M4R and M4A are identical formats. Renaming .m4r file to .m4a makes it playable in any software that supports AAC/M4A. No conversion needed, no quality loss, instant compatibility. Right-click file, rename, change extension from .m4r to .m4a, done.
Windows users: You need to show file extensions first. Open folder, View tab, check 'File name extensions' box. Then you can rename .m4r to .m4a. Without seeing extensions, you can't change them.
Mac users: Right-click (Control+click) M4R file, Get Info, Name & Extension section, change extension to .m4a. macOS warns 'Are you sure?' - confirm. File immediately playable in Music app, QuickTime, etc.
How do I create custom iPhone ringtones?
Start with audio file (MP3, M4A, any format). Trim to 30 seconds or less (iOS ringtone limit is technically 40 seconds but 30 is recommended). Use GarageBand (iOS/Mac), iTunes, or online ringtone makers to export as M4R. Sync to iPhone via Finder/iTunes (cable) or AirDrop.
Alternative method: Convert audio to M4A/AAC, trim to 30 seconds, rename to .m4r extension. Transfer to iPhone. This works! iOS doesn't verify M4R files rigorously - if it's AAC audio under 40 seconds with .m4r extension, iPhone accepts it.
Modern iOS: You can also download ringtones from Tone Store ($0.99-$1.99) or use GarageBand app on iPhone to create custom ringtones directly on device. Easier than computer method but less flexible. For free custom ringtones, computer method is best.
What's the maximum length for M4R ringtones?
iOS allows ringtones up to 40 seconds, but Apple recommends 30 seconds maximum. Longer ringtones work technically but might cause issues or get truncated by iOS. Most commercial ringtones are 20-30 seconds - long enough for distinctive sound, short enough to not be annoying.
Why 30 seconds? Phone calls usually get answered or go to voicemail within 30 seconds. Longer ringtones become irritating. 15-30 second range is sweet spot - long enough to identify custom tone, short enough to not drive you crazy.
Creating ringtones: Use best 30 seconds of song - chorus, hook, distinctive part. Don't just use first 30 seconds. Pick recognizable segment. Many ringtone creators automatically trim to 30 seconds - choose which part to keep.
How do I convert M4R to M4A or MP3?
Simple rename method: Change .m4r extension to .m4a. File immediately playable. No conversion needed. Right-click, rename, done. This is easiest and lossless method for M4A output.
FFmpeg extraction: `ffmpeg -i ringtone.m4r -codec:a copy output.m4a` extracts AAC without re-encoding. Perfect quality. For MP3: `ffmpeg -i ringtone.m4r -codec:a libmp3lame -q:a 2 output.mp3` converts to MP3 (lossy transcoding but acceptable).
Online converters: Our converter and others support M4R. Upload, choose M4A (keep quality) or MP3 (compatibility), download. Easy for occasional conversions. For many files, rename method (M4R to M4A) is fastest.
Why can't I play M4R files on Android?
M4R Android compatibility issues:
Extension Not Recognized
Android doesn't recognize .m4r as valid audio format. File browser shows 'Unknown' file type. Can't open.
Codec is Fine
M4R contains AAC - Android supports AAC perfectly. Problem is .m4r extension, not audio format.
Simple Fix
Rename .m4r to .m4a. Android instantly recognizes file and plays it normally. Same audio, accepted extension.
Or Convert
Convert M4R to MP3 for guaranteed compatibility. MP3 works on everything including oldest Android devices.
Apple Ecosystem
M4R is Apple-specific designation. Other platforms don't understand it. Use standard extensions for cross-platform files.
Android doesn't play M4R because it doesn't recognize extension. Rename to M4A or convert to MP3 - problem solved.
Can I use M4R files as regular music?
Yes, but ringtones are usually too short (15-30 seconds) and might loop awkwardly if used as music. Audio quality is identical to M4A - same AAC codec. If you want to listen to ringtone audio clip, rename to .m4a and play in any music player.
However, ringtones are excerpts from full songs, not complete tracks. You're listening to 30-second clip, not full musical experience. If you want actual song, find original audio source instead of using ringtone version.
Practical use: Some people extract M4R ringtones to hear audio clips without iPhone, or to repurpose ringtone audio in videos/projects. Technically fine - AAC quality is preserved. Just understand you're working with short clips, not full tracks.
How do I batch convert M4R files?
Batch M4R conversion methods:
Batch Rename (Windows)
PowerShell: `Get-ChildItem *.m4r | Rename-Item -NewName { $_.Name -replace '.m4r','.m4a' }`. Instant, lossless.
Batch Rename (Mac/Linux)
`for f in *.m4r; do mv "$f" "${f%.m4r}.m4a"; done`. Renames all M4R to M4A. Simple, fast.
FFmpeg Batch Convert
`for f in *.m4r; do ffmpeg -i "$f" -codec:a copy "${f%.m4r}.m4a"; done`. Extracts without re-encoding.
To MP3 Batch
FFmpeg: `Get-ChildItem *.m4r | ForEach-Object { ffmpeg -i $_.Name -codec:a libmp3lame -q:a 2 "$($_.BaseName).mp3" }`
GUI Batch
Bulk Rename Utility (Windows), Name Mangler (Mac) for mass extension changes. Visual interface.
Choose Method
Rename for M4A (instant, lossless). FFmpeg for MP3 (transcoding required). Context determines approach.
Verify Output
Test one file before processing hundreds. Ensure playback works in target software/device.
Organize Output
Move converted files to separate folder. Keep originals until verified. Good workflow practice.
Metadata Preserved
Renaming and FFmpeg copy preserve tags/artwork. Transcoding may require tag migration verification.
Efficiency
For M4A output: rename is instant (thousands per second). For MP3: conversion time depends on quantity.
Do M4R files have metadata and artwork?
Yes, M4R supports same metadata as M4A - iTunes/ID3 tags with artist, title, album, genre, artwork. When you create ringtone from song in iTunes, it often preserves original song's metadata. However, many ringtones have minimal or missing tags.
Commercial ringtones from Tone Store have proper metadata. Custom ringtones created from personal music might have tags, might not - depends on creation method. GarageBand ringtones usually have basic metadata.
Editing tags: Mp3tag, Kid3, or iTunes can edit M4R metadata just like M4A files. After converting/renaming to M4A, tag normally. Some taggers may not recognize .m4r extension - rename to .m4a temporarily for editing.
Can I use M4R ringtones on Android?
Yes, with conversion! Rename M4R to M4A or convert to MP3, then transfer to Android phone. Place in Ringtones folder (/storage/emulated/0/Ringtones or similar). Android detects audio files in Ringtones folder and makes them available in sound settings.
Android accepts MP3, M4A/AAC, OGG as ringtones. M4R isn't recognized due to extension. Once converted to accepted format, Android treats it like any custom ringtone. No special setup needed - just place in right folder.
Quality consideration: If M4R is high-bitrate AAC, keep as M4A (Android supports AAC well). If you need maximum compatibility across old Android versions, convert to MP3. Either works for modern Android devices.
Why does iTunes create M4R instead of M4A?
Categorization: iTunes/iOS organize media by file extension. .m4a = music (goes to Music app), .m4r = ringtone (goes to Tones section). Separate extensions enable automatic sorting and syncing to correct iPhone categories.
User experience: Without distinct extension, ringtones would mix with music library. Users would struggle to find ringtones among thousands of songs. .m4r extension keeps ringtones separate in iTunes/Finder, simplifies management.
Technical perspective: It's artificial distinction - formats are identical. Apple could use file metadata instead of extension for categorization. But extension-based sorting is simpler and works at filesystem level. Typical Apple ecosystem approach.
How do I extract audio from iPhone ringtones?
From iPhone: Connect iPhone to computer, open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), go to device's Tones section. Drag M4R files from Tones to desktop. They copy to computer as M4R files ready for conversion.
After extraction: Rename .m4r to .m4a for playback, or convert to MP3 for maximum compatibility. Audio is full-quality AAC - ringtone length but good fidelity. Useful for recovering audio clips or repurposing ringtone sounds.
Modern iOS/Mac: With newer iOS and macOS versions, ringtones may sync via iCloud. Check ~/Library/Sounds (Mac) or iPhone backup locations for M4R files. Or use third-party iPhone file browsers (iMazing, iFunbox) to access Tones folder directly.
M4R vs M4A - which should I use?
Use M4R for: iPhone ringtones only. If creating/syncing ringtones to iOS devices, keep as M4R. iTunes/iOS recognize M4R as ringtones automatically. Simplifies organization in Apple ecosystem.
Use M4A for: Everything else - music libraries, audio clips, voice recordings, general audio files. M4A is standard AAC container recognized universally. Works on all platforms, all devices, all software.
Practical advice: Create ringtones as M4R for iOS use. Convert/rename to M4A when extracting ringtone audio for other purposes. Don't use M4R outside Apple ringtone context - it confuses software and users. M4A is standard format for AAC audio in all other scenarios. Choose based on actual use case.