Free online ALAC to CAF converter

Source format: ALAC

ALAC stands for Apple Lossless Audio Codec. It is a lossless audio format used to store music without losing any original audio data during compression. ALAC is commonly used by Apple devices and software, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, iTunes, and the Music app. It is often found in .m4a files and is popular for archiving music collections, syncing with Apple ecosystems, and preserving CD-quality audio in a smaller file size than uncompressed formats.

Target format: CAF

CAF means Core Audio Format. It is an Apple-developed audio container designed for large, high-quality, and flexible audio storage. CAF supports very long recordings, high sample rates, multiple channels, and a wide range of audio codecs. It is commonly used in macOS and iOS development, audio production, and professional recording workflows where compatibility with Apple audio frameworks is important. Compared with ALAC in .m4a, CAF is more of a technical container than a consumer playback format.

How to perform the conversion

The most practical way to convert ALAC to CAF is with FFmpeg, which can read ALAC audio and write it into a CAF container. This is especially useful if you want a fast, local conversion without changing the audio quality.

1. Install FFmpeg on your computer if it is not already available.
2. Open a terminal or command prompt.
3. Run a command such as ffmpeg -i input.m4a -c:a copy output.caf.
4. If the source file is not named .m4a, use the actual ALAC file name, for example song.alac or track.m4a.
5. Check the resulting .caf file in a compatible audio player or editor.

If you prefer a graphical workflow, Audacity or Apple’s audio tools may be able to open the source file and export to CAF depending on the installed codecs and platform support. On 101convert.com, you can convert the file online for free without installing any software.

Notes on quality and compatibility

ALAC to CAF is usually a lossless container conversion when the audio stream is copied directly, so the sound quality should remain unchanged. However, compatibility depends on the exact source file and the software used. Some players recognize CAF only on Apple platforms or in professional audio applications. Also, not every tool can preserve metadata such as album art, tags, or chapter markers when moving from ALAC in .m4a to CAF. If metadata is important, verify the output after conversion. CAF files can also be larger or less convenient for everyday playback than standard music formats, so they are best suited for editing, archiving, or Apple-centric workflows.