Convert your audio files to the high-quality, uncompressed AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) using our free online service. AIFF is often used in professional audio environments, particularly on Apple Macintosh systems. Convert from formats like MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, or extract audio from video into AIFF. Our converter is secure (files deleted within about an hour), free, requires no registration, and accepts files up to 50 MB. It writes 16-bit PCM AIFF, keeping the source sample rate and channels, so a 24-bit source is reduced to 16-bit.
Creating AIFF files from other formats is easy:
AIFF from the 'Convert to:' dropdown menu.AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) is an audio file format standard developed by Apple Inc. in 1988 based on Electronic Arts' Interchange File Format (IFF). It is commonly used on Apple Macintosh computer systems.
Similar to the WAV format on Windows, standard AIFF files contain uncompressed audio data using Pulse-Code Modulation (PCM). This results in very high audio fidelity (lossless) but also leads to large file sizes. AIFF files can store various metadata. A compressed variant, AIFF-C or AIFC, also exists but is less common than standard uncompressed AIFF. Due to its uncompressed nature, AIFF is suitable for professional audio editing and archiving.
AIFF files are natively supported on Apple platforms and by many audio applications:
While originating on Apple systems, most modern audio software across platforms can handle AIFF files.
| Full name | Audio Interchange File Format |
|---|---|
| Compression | Uncompressed (PCM) |
| Developed by | Apple |
| Introduced | 1988 |
| File extension | .aiff, .aif |
| Typically used for | Mac audio production (Logic Pro, GarageBand), sample libraries |
| Plays on | macOS and iOS natively; most DAWs and VLC on Windows |
| Our output | 16-bit PCM (big-endian), original sample rate and channels |
Our AIFF files contain uncompressed 16-bit PCM audio stored big-endian, which is the classic AIFF layout. The sample rate and channel count are kept from your source, so 44.1 kHz stereo comes out at about 1,411 kbps. There are no options to change, and the output is standard AIFF rather than the compressed AIFF-C variant.
With our converter both hold the same 16-bit PCM audio, so they sound identical and are the same size. The difference is the container and byte order. AIFF is the traditional choice in Mac software such as Logic Pro and GarageBand, while WAV is more common on Windows. Most modern apps open either one.
Not with our converter. AIFF output is always 16-bit, so a 24-bit studio file is reduced to 16-bit, which is still CD quality. If you need to keep 24-bit resolution, choose FLAC, which keeps the source bit depth and is lossless, though some Apple apps need a third-party player for it.
AIFF is uncompressed, so at 44.1 kHz stereo it uses about 10.1 MB for every minute of audio, regardless of the source. A compressed MP3 or M4A at 192 kbps needs only about 1.44 MB per minute. If you want lossless audio in less space, FLAC usually takes 40 to 70 percent of the size.
AIFF plays natively on Mac, iPhone and iPad. On Windows, recent versions of the built-in media apps generally handle it, and VLC always does. Android support depends on the phone and the music app, so VLC or another third-party player is the reliable option there. If you mainly use Windows, WAV is often the simpler pick.
No. A lossy file converted to AIFF keeps exactly the quality it already had; the discarded detail doesn't come back. The conversion is still worthwhile when a DAW, sampler or other tool requires uncompressed AIFF input, since you avoid another lossy encode while you edit.
Need detailed information or want to set a different default format? Visit our specific converter pages: