Free online MP3 to CAFF converter

Source format: MP3

MP3 is one of the most widely used audio formats. It is a lossy compressed format designed to reduce file size while keeping sound reasonably close to the original. MP3 files are commonly used for music, podcasts, voice recordings, and general audio playback on phones, computers, car stereos, and portable players.

Because MP3 is so broadly supported, it is often used as a distribution format. However, it is not ideal for editing or machine-learning workflows that need uncompressed or analysis-friendly audio.

Target format: CAFF

CAFF stands for Core Audio Format File. It is an Apple audio container format designed to store audio data and related metadata in a flexible way. CAFF is less common than MP3 and is mainly associated with macOS and Apple audio tools.

CAFF can be useful when working with Apple-centric audio workflows, archival tasks, or applications that expect Core Audio-based formats. Compared with MP3, it is typically better suited for preserving audio in a more editable or processing-friendly form, depending on the codec used inside the container.

How to perform the conversion

The most reliable way to convert MP3 to CAFF is with FFmpeg, a powerful command-line audio and video tool that supports both formats.

1. Install FFmpeg if it is not already available on your system.
2. Open a terminal or command prompt.
3. Run a conversion command such as ffmpeg -i input.mp3 output.caf.
4. Check the resulting file in an audio player or editor that supports CAFF.

If you prefer a graphical workflow, you can also use audio editors that support export to Core Audio formats, but support for CAFF is much less common than for WAV, AIFF, or M4A. For a quick browser-based option, you can convert the file on 101convert.com for free without installing any software.

Notes on quality, compatibility, and limitations

MP3 is lossy, so converting it to CAFF does not restore lost audio quality. The output will only preserve the quality already present in the MP3 source. If you need the best possible result, start from the original uncompressed audio rather than an MP3.

CAFF support is much less universal than MP3 support. Some players and editors may not open CAFF files, especially on Windows or in general-purpose media apps. For maximum compatibility, formats like WAV, AIFF, or M4A are often better choices unless CAFF is specifically required.

Also note that CAFF is a container, so the exact codec inside the file can affect compatibility. When converting from MP3, FFmpeg will typically choose a suitable audio encoding for the destination container, but playback support may still vary by application.