To convert WMA Lossless to FLAC without losing anything, decode the WMA Lossless file into raw audio samples and then encode those samples into FLAC. Both codecs are lossless, so the audio data is mathematically identical after conversion. You need to identify WMA Lossless files first, because they share the .wma extension with lossy files, and you need a tool that handles batch decoding.
How to Tell If a WMA File is Lossless
WMA Lossless uses the same .wma file extension as lossy WMA. The file name tells you nothing. Two methods confirm whether a file is lossless.
Check the Bitrate in File Explorer
Right-click the file in File Explorer, select Properties, then click the Details tab. Look for the bit rate entry. Lossy WMA files show values between 64 and 192 kbps. WMA Lossless files show far higher values, often several hundred to over 1,000 kbps. A bitrate above 300 kbps is a strong indicator of a lossless file.
Use MediaInfo for an Explicit Codec Name
MediaInfo is a free application that reads file metadata. Open the WMA file in MediaInfo and look for the codec name. If it says "WMA Lossless" or similar, the file is lossless. This method is more reliable than bitrate alone, especially for files with unusual encoding settings.
WMA Lossless Bitrate What the Numbers Mean
WMA Lossless bitrate is variable. It depends on the complexity of the audio. A simple speech recording might compress to around 300 kbps. A dense orchestral piece can exceed 1,000 kbps. This is normal for lossless codecs. Lossy WMA files use a fixed or average bitrate that discards data to stay small. If you see a WMA file with a bitrate above 300 kbps, it is almost certainly lossless. The exact bitrate does not affect sound quality because lossless compression preserves every sample from the original CD.
FLAC vs WMA Lossless Key Differences
Both FLAC and WMA Lossless compress audio without discarding any data. The difference is compatibility. FLAC is an open format supported by Android, many music players, and the iPhone Files app. WMA Lossless is rarely supported outside Windows. Convert from WMA Lossless to FLAC and you get a file that works on more devices without any quality loss. The audio samples after conversion are identical to the original WMA Lossless samples. If you later need an MP3 copy, convert WMA Lossless to MP3 in a single lossy step. Use 320 kbps for that MP3 to preserve as much detail as possible.
How to Convert WMA Lossless to FLAC
Use a tool that decodes the WMA Lossless file and encodes the output as FLAC. The process is lossless: the decoded audio samples are identical to the original.
Step-by-Step Conversion
- Identify your WMA Lossless files using the methods above.
- Open the WMA to FLAC tool. It processes batches of files up to 300 MB total.
- Add your WMA Lossless files.
- Select FLAC as the output format. No quality setting is needed because FLAC is lossless.
- Start the conversion. The tool decodes each WMA file and encodes the audio as FLAC.
- Save the resulting FLAC files to your preferred location.
After conversion, delete the original WMA files if you no longer need them. The FLAC files play on Android, many music players, and the iPhone Files app without additional software.
Batch Conversion for Large Libraries
If you ripped your entire CD collection with Windows Media Player's lossless option, you likely have hundreds of WMA Lossless files. Converting them one by one is impractical. Use a batch converter. The tool handles batches up to 300 MB, which covers most single albums or smaller collections. For larger libraries, run multiple batches. Verify that the tool outputs FLAC files with the same duration and sample rate as the original WMA files to confirm a lossless conversion.
What About Converting to MP3?
If you need MP3 files for a device that does not support FLAC, convert from the original WMA Lossless to MP3 in a single step. Converting from WMA Lossless to FLAC and then to MP3 adds an unnecessary lossy step. When converting directly to MP3, use 320 kbps to retain as much audio quality as possible. MP3 is a lossy format. The resulting file will be smaller than the original but will not contain all the original audio data. Keep your FLAC files as a master archive and create MP3 copies only for portable use.