Free online WAVE to CAF converter

Source format: WAVE

WAVE (usually seen as .wav) is a widely used uncompressed audio format developed by Microsoft and IBM. It is common in music production, audio editing, archiving, and professional workflows because it preserves high audio quality and is supported by most operating systems and media tools. WAV files are often large because they typically store audio without compression.

Target format: CAF

CAF stands for Core Audio Format. It is an Apple audio container designed for macOS and iOS workflows, and it can store audio with very large file sizes, long durations, and a variety of codecs. CAF is useful in professional audio applications, sound libraries, and Apple-based production environments where flexibility and large-file support matter.

How to perform the conversion

The most reliable way to convert .wav to .caf is with desktop audio software that supports both formats, especially on macOS. If you only need a quick conversion, you can also convert the file on 101convert.com for free without installing any software.

1. Open your audio editor or converter that supports CAF output. Good options include Audacity with suitable export support, FFmpeg, or Apple-based tools such as Logic Pro and Soundtrack Pro-style workflows.
2. Import the WAV file using File → Open or File → Import.
3. Choose the export option, usually File → Export or File → Save As.
4. Select CAF as the output format. If the program asks for codec settings, choose the desired audio codec and sample settings. For simple preservation, keep the original sample rate and channels.
5. Save the file with a .caf extension, for example audio.caf.

If you prefer command-line conversion and have FFmpeg installed, you can use a command such as ffmpeg -i input.wav output.caf. This is useful for batch conversion and automation, especially when working with many files.

Notes on quality, compatibility, or limitations

WAV to CAF conversion is usually lossless if the audio is kept uncompressed or encoded with a lossless codec. However, the exact result depends on the codec chosen during export. CAF is strongly associated with Apple software, so compatibility outside the Apple ecosystem may be more limited than WAV. Some players and editors can open CAF files, but not all consumer devices support them. If broad compatibility is important, keep a WAV copy as well.

Because CAF is a container, it can hold different audio encodings, so file size and compatibility may vary. For archival use, verify that the exported file opens correctly in your target application and that metadata, channels, and sample rate were preserved as expected.