Free online MP3 to ALAC converter

Apple devices, music libraries, and some editing applications accept or prefer Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) rather than MP3. The conversion creates an ALAC stream in an .m4a container, but it cannot restore detail removed when the MP3 was encoded.

What the MP3 format is

MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer III) is a lossy audio format that reduces file size by discarding audio information judged less audible. It is widely used by media players, CD-ripping software, download tools, audio editors, older phones, cameras, and portable music players.

MP3 files normally use the .mp3 extension and can contain tags such as artist, album, title, track number, and embedded artwork. Common bit rates include 128, 192, 256, and 320 kbps; a higher bit rate usually preserves more detail, but no MP3 bit rate is lossless.

What the ALAC format is

ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) compresses audio without discarding the decoded audio samples. It is usually stored in an MPEG-4 audio container with the .m4a extension and is supported by Apple Music, current iPhone and iPad software, macOS, Windows versions of Apple Music, QuickTime, VLC, foobar2000, and other compatible players.

ALAC produces files smaller than uncompressed WAV or AIFF while retaining the quality of the lossless source. It is suitable for Apple-oriented libraries and workflows that require lossless decoding, but it normally produces files much larger than MP3. An ALAC file made from an MP3 contains the MP3's already-degraded audio, not the original recording.

How to convert with FFmpeg

FFmpeg is a free desktop converter for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Place the MP3 in a convenient folder, open a terminal in that folder, and run:

ffmpeg -i input.mp3 -map_metadata 0 -c:a alac output.m4a

Replace the input and output names as needed. Use quotation marks around names containing spaces:

ffmpeg -i "My recording.mp3" -map_metadata 0 -c:a alac "My recording.m4a"

The -c:a alac option selects the ALAC encoder, and -map_metadata 0 copies available source metadata. Check tags and artwork after conversion because unusual fields and some embedded artwork may not transfer exactly.

How to convert with Apple Music

1. Open Music → Settings → Files → Import Settings on macOS, or Edit → Preferences → Files → Import Settings on Windows.
2. Choose Apple Lossless Encoder and confirm the setting.
3. Add the MP3 to the Apple Music library if it is not already there.
4. Select the track and choose File → Convert → Create Apple Lossless Version.

Apple Music creates a separate ALAC copy and keeps the original MP3. Confirm that the new track is identified as Apple Lossless before moving or deleting the source.

How to convert without installing software

You can convert the file for free on 101convert.com. Upload the MP3, choose ALAC, start the conversion, and download the resulting .m4a file. Do not upload private recordings or copyrighted material unless the service's handling and licensing terms are acceptable.

Quality and compatibility limits

Lossy-to-lossless conversion is not restoration. For genuine lossless quality, obtain the original CD rip or another lossless source and encode that source as ALAC.

The converted file is often roughly two to six times larger than the MP3, depending on the recording. The .m4a extension identifies the container, not the codec, so inspect the codec information if an application rejects the file. Older or non-Apple players may not support ALAC; use a compatible player or convert the original source to WAV, AIFF, or FLAC when the destination requires another format.

Keep the MP3 until you have checked playback, duration, tags, artwork, and track ordering in the destination library.