How to save just the audio from a video as a WAV file
August 27, 2026
To save just the audio from a video as a WAV file, use a tool that demuxes (separates) the existing audio stream from the video container and writes it out as uncompressed WAV — no quality loss, since nothing gets re-compressed in the process. You can extract your video's audio free here, choosing WAV as the output format, entirely in your browser.
Why WAV instead of MP3
WAV is uncompressed audio — extracting to it doesn't lose any quality, and it won't compound quality loss if you plan to edit the audio further afterward, since there's no lossy compression baked in to begin with. MP3 is smaller and more convenient for sharing or listening, but it's lossy: some audio information is discarded permanently to shrink the file. Reach for WAV when quality or further editing matters more than file size; reach for MP3 when convenience and small size matter more.
How big will the WAV file be?
Noticeably bigger than a compressed format — uncompressed stereo audio at CD quality runs roughly 10MB per minute, compared to roughly 1MB per minute for a typical MP3. That tenfold size difference is the direct tradeoff for zero compression loss; there's no way around it, since it's inherent to storing audio without discarding any information.
Does extracting audio change or damage the original video?
No — the video file is only read to pull a copy of its audio track. The original file itself is never modified, re-encoded, or uploaded anywhere; you end up with a new, separate WAV file alongside your unchanged original video.
Does this work with any video format?
Yes, as long as the tool can decode the video's container and audio codec — common formats like MP4, MOV, and WebM all work the same way, since the extraction step (reading the existing audio stream and writing it out as WAV) is identical regardless of what format the source video is in.
When to reach for WAV specifically
WAV makes the most sense when the audio is headed for further processing — importing into a DAW or audio editor, running through noise removal or loudness normalization, or archiving a master copy you don't want to touch again with lossy compression. If you're just sharing a podcast episode or a quick clip and don't plan to edit it further, MP3's smaller size is usually the more practical choice — see our post on converting MP4 to MP3 for that workflow instead.
The bottom line
WAV is the right call when you need the audio uncompressed — for editing, archiving, or a tool that specifically demands it. Try WavyVid's audio extraction tool free, pick WAV as the format, and download — your original video stays exactly as it was.
Frequently asked questions
How do I copy the audio out of a video as a WAV file?
Use a tool that demuxes (separates) the existing audio stream from the video container and encodes it as WAV — this reads the video's audio track and writes it out as a standalone file, without touching or re-uploading the original video.
Why WAV instead of MP3?
WAV is uncompressed — no quality is lost extracting to it, and it won't compound quality loss if you plan to edit the audio further afterward. MP3 is smaller but lossy; pick WAV when quality or further editing matters more than file size, MP3 when convenience and small size matter more.
Will the extracted WAV file be huge?
Yes, relatively — uncompressed audio runs roughly 10MB per minute for stereo at CD quality, versus roughly 1MB per minute for a typical MP3. That's the tradeoff for zero compression loss.
Does this change or damage the original video file?
No — the video is only read to pull a copy of its audio track; the original file itself is never modified, re-encoded, or uploaded anywhere.
Can I extract WAV audio from any video format?
Yes, as long as the tool can decode the video's container and audio codec — common formats (MP4, MOV, WebM) all work the same way, since the extraction step is the same regardless of the source format.