AAC file format
Advanced Audio Coding (.aac): efficient lossy audio, the successor to MP3.
AAC is the codec YouTube, Apple Music and most streaming services use. It was designed as MP3’s successor and gives better sound at the same bitrate. A raw .aac file contains only the audio stream; inside an MP4 container the same audio is usually called M4A.
| Full name | Advanced Audio Coding |
|---|---|
| File extension | .aac |
| MIME type | audio/aac |
| Created | 1997 by the MPEG group (Fraunhofer, Dolby, Sony, AT&T and others) |
| Compression | Lossy |
| Typical bitrate | 96–256 kbps |
| Size | 0.7–2 MB per minute |
| Plays on | Phones, computers and most modern players |
| Best for | efficient lossy audio, the successor to MP3 |
Advantages
- Better than MP3 at the same bitrate
- Used by YouTube and Apple
Drawbacks
- Raw .aac files lack proper tags and seek poorly
Convert AAC to…
Convert to AAC
Frequently asked questions
What is a .aac file?
AAC is the codec YouTube, Apple Music and most streaming services use. It was designed as MP3’s successor and gives better sound at the same bitrate. A raw .aac file contains only the audio stream; inside an MP4 container the same audio is usually called M4A.
How do I open a AAC file?
AAC files open on Phones, computers and most modern players. If a program will not open yours, convert it to a more common format.
Is AAC lossless?
No, AAC uses lossy compression: some detail is discarded to make files smaller.
How do I convert AAC?
Use one of the converters below — they run in your browser, so your audio files are never uploaded. Most popular: AAC to MP3, AAC to WAV, AAC to M4A.