---
title: ".flac file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .flac file is a Free Lossless Audio Codec. Compressed audio that throws nothing away — about half the size of WAV, bit-for-bit identical. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/flac/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .flac files

**.flac file: Free Lossless Audio Codec**

Compressed audio that throws nothing away — about half the size of WAV, bit-for-bit identical.

## What opens a .flac file

- **Windows:** Media Player (built in), VLC, foobar2000
- **macOS:** VLC, IINA, Audacity
- **Linux:** Rhythmbox / Music (built in), VLC, Audacious

## What a .flac file is

FLAC is an open, royalty-free lossless codec from the Xiph.Org Foundation, used for CD rips, high-resolution downloads and archiving. Decoding returns exactly the original samples, and the format carries proper tags and cover art, which WAV handles badly. Windows, Android and most modern players support it natively; Apple's Music app is the notable holdout, preferring its own ALAC.

## Converting it

A .flac file is commonly converted to .mp3, .wav, .alac, .m4a or .ogg. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .flac
- **Full name:** Free Lossless Audio Codec
- **Category:** Audio
- **MIME type:** audio/flac
- **Created by:** Xiph.Org Foundation
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .flac file?

On Windows use Media Player (built in); on macOS use VLC; on Linux use Rhythmbox / Music (built in). Compressed audio that throws nothing away — about half the size of WAV, bit-for-bit identical.

### What is a .flac file?

Free Lossless Audio Codec. FLAC is an open, royalty-free lossless codec from the Xiph.Org Foundation, used for CD rips, high-resolution downloads and archiving. Decoding returns exactly the original samples, and the format carries proper tags and cover art, which WAV handles badly.

### Can I convert a .flac file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .mp3, .wav, .alac, .m4a or .ogg, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.mp3 — MPEG-1 Audio Layer III](https://atoneplace.net/file/mp3/)
- [.wav — Waveform Audio File](https://atoneplace.net/file/wav/)
- [.m4a — MPEG-4 Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/m4a/)
- [.aac — Advanced Audio Coding](https://atoneplace.net/file/aac/)
- [.ogg — Ogg Vorbis Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/ogg/)
- [.opus — Opus Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/opus/)
- [.mid — MIDI Sequence](https://atoneplace.net/file/mid/)
- [.m3u — Media Playlist](https://atoneplace.net/file/m3u/)
- [.wma — Windows Media Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/wma/)
- [.aiff — Audio Interchange File Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/aiff/)
- [.m4b — MPEG-4 Audiobook](https://atoneplace.net/file/m4b/)
- [.amr — Adaptive Multi-Rate Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/amr/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)