Free online CAFF to WAV converter

Source format

CAFF stands for Core Audio Format, an audio container developed by Apple. It is used mainly on macOS and related Apple tools for storing audio data with flexible metadata support. CAFF can hold uncompressed PCM audio or compressed audio, and it is often encountered in professional audio workflows, sound libraries, and Apple-based applications.

Typical use cases include archiving audio, exchanging sound assets between Apple applications, and storing high-quality recordings. Because CAFF is less common outside the Apple ecosystem, users often convert it to a more widely supported format such as WAV.

Target format

WAV is the Waveform Audio File Format, one of the most widely supported audio formats on Windows, macOS, Linux, and in audio editors, DAWs, and media players. It is commonly used for uncompressed audio, which preserves quality and makes it ideal for editing, mastering, and archival storage.

The main advantages of WAV are its broad compatibility, simple structure, and excellent support in professional audio software. It is a standard choice when you need a file that will open reliably in many programs and devices.

How to perform the conversion

The easiest way is to use a desktop audio editor or converter that can open CAFF and export WAV. If your CAFF file is already uncompressed PCM, the conversion is usually straightforward and lossless.

1. Open the CAFF file in a compatible program such as Audacity, FFmpeg, or an Apple audio tool that supports export.
2. Check the audio properties if needed, especially sample rate, bit depth, and number of channels.
3. Export or save the file as WAV using the program’s export function.
4. Choose the desired WAV settings, such as PCM 16-bit or PCM 24-bit, depending on your quality needs.
5. Save the new file with a .wav extension.

With FFmpeg, the conversion can be done from the command line:

ffmpeg -i input.caff output.wav

If you prefer a graphical workflow, open the file in Audacity and use File → Export → Export as WAV. On macOS, some Apple-compatible audio tools may also allow export through File → Export or a similar menu path.

You can also convert the file on 101convert.com for free, without installing any software.

Notes on quality and limitations

If the CAFF file contains lossless PCM audio, converting to WAV will usually preserve the audio exactly. However, if the CAFF file uses a compressed codec, the conversion may involve decoding to PCM, which can increase file size but does not improve the original source quality.

Metadata support may change during conversion. CAFF can store Apple-specific information that may not transfer perfectly to WAV, since WAV metadata handling is less consistent across applications. Also, some older players or editors may not recognize CAFF at all, which is one reason WAV is often preferred for compatibility.

For best results, verify the output in an audio editor after conversion and confirm that the duration, channels, and sample rate match the source file.