WMA file format
Windows Media Audio (.wma): old Windows music libraries.
WMA was Microsoft’s answer to MP3 in the Windows Media Player era. Many CD collections ripped in the 2000s are WMA. Apple devices, browsers and most modern apps cannot play it, so converting to MP3 keeps those libraries usable.
| Full name | Windows Media Audio |
|---|---|
| File extension | .wma |
| MIME type | audio/x-ms-wma |
| Created | 1999 by Microsoft |
| Compression | Lossy |
| Typical bitrate | 64–192 kbps |
| Size | 0.5–1.4 MB per minute |
| Plays on | Windows Media Player; not supported on iPhone, Mac or in browsers |
| Best for | old Windows music libraries |
Advantages
- Small files
Drawbacks
- Obsolete
- No support on Apple devices or the web
Convert WMA to…
Frequently asked questions
What is a .wma file?
WMA was Microsoft’s answer to MP3 in the Windows Media Player era. Many CD collections ripped in the 2000s are WMA. Apple devices, browsers and most modern apps cannot play it, so converting to MP3 keeps those libraries usable.
How do I open a WMA file?
Windows Media Player and VLC play WMA. Apple devices and browsers do not — convert to MP3.
Is WMA lossless?
No, WMA uses lossy compression: some detail is discarded to make files smaller.
How do I convert WMA?
Use one of the converters below — they run in your browser, so your audio files are never uploaded. Most popular: WMA to MP3, WMA to WAV, WMA to M4A.