Convert AAC to FLAC Online
AAC is the successor to MP3, offering better efficiency at the same bitrates. FLAC compresses audio without any loss of quality, typically reducing file size by 40–60%. AnyConvert converts AAC to FLAC securely without installing desktop software.
AAC to FLAC Converter
Convert your AAC files to FLAC format quickly and easily. Upload your file and download the result.
Max file size: 50MB
Why convert AAC to FLAC?
Switching from AAC helps you avoid raw .aac files have poor compatibility; packaging in mp4 (.m4a) improves support. FLAC excels at lossless compression that preserves original master quality, making it a better fit when clients or platforms expect archiving cd collections and high-resolution downloads.
Free Lossless Audio Codec also offers supports metadata, album art, and cue sheets. That means your converted files stay useful for archiving cd collections and high-resolution downloads and audiophile music libraries and media servers.
AAC strengths
- Superior quality to MP3 at bitrates of 128 kbps and below
- Supports multichannel audio and higher sample rates up to 96 kHz
- Mandatory audio codec for many streaming standards and mobile OSes
FLAC advantages
- Lossless compression that preserves original master quality
- Supports metadata, album art, and cue sheets
- Fast decoding makes it suitable for streaming and playback
Key differences
| Feature | AAC | FLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless |
| Transparency / Alpha | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Typical file size | Compact (lossy compression) | Moderate (lossless compression) |
| Best suited for | Streaming services like Apple Music and YouTube and Broadcast applications requiring efficient multi-channel audio | Archiving CD collections and high-resolution downloads and Audiophile music libraries and media servers |
| Standard | Open, royalty-free specification | Open, royalty-free specification |
Before you convert
- Keep a backup of your original file before converting so you can roll back if needed.
- Review known pain points: Editing or trimming requires careful handling to avoid re-encoding artifacts. Adjust your source file accordingly.
Quality tips
- Pick a bitrate that matches your destination: 128 kbps for speech, 192–256 kbps for music, 320 kbps for archive copies.
- Download the result immediately and open it in the target application to verify everything matches expectations.
Where FLAC fits best
Once you have the converted file, you can plug it straight into archiving cd collections and high-resolution downloads, audiophile music libraries and media servers, and lossless distribution of podcasts or sound libraries. FLAC is the format teams expect in those environments, so you spend less time re-exporting or explaining compatibility issues.
Common FLAC use cases
- Archiving CD collections and high-resolution downloads
- Audiophile music libraries and media servers
- Lossless distribution of podcasts or sound libraries
Tools that open FLAC
- Foobar2000
- Audacity
- dBpoweramp
Frequently asked questions
Does converting AAC to FLAC reduce quality?
No—FLAC preserves the original fidelity. You still want to open the converted file once to confirm fonts, colors, or audio loudness survived the transfer.
Which bitrate should I pick for FLAC?
Match the bitrate to the destination. 96–128 kbps is fine for speech, 192 kbps balances quality and size for music, and 256–320 kbps keeps critical mixes transparent.
Is there a file size limit for converting AAC?
Yes—uploads up to 150 MB convert reliably in the browser. For larger assets, split them into smaller segments first so the process stays responsive.