FLAC Sample Files
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) compresses audio without any quality loss. Unlike MP3 which throws away data to shrink files, FLAC preserves every bit of the original recording. FLAC files are typically 50-60% the size of the equivalent WAV file.
Back to Example audio files
Download FLAC Sample Files
| File | File type | File size | Track length | Mime type | Codec | Download example file |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLAC Sample - 5 Second Tone | FLAC | 67 KB | 0:05 | audio/flac | FLAC | Download example file |
What is a FLAC file?
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) compresses audio without losing any quality. A FLAC file decodes to a bit-perfect copy of the original, typically at around half to two-thirds the size of the equivalent WAV. It is open and royalty-free, which has made it the standard for lossless music archives.
How this sample FLAC file was made
The sample is generated with FFmpeg using the FLAC encoder from a five-second 440 Hz sine tone. Compared with an uncompressed WAV of the same tone, the FLAC file is much smaller while remaining lossless.
Technical details
FLAC is lossless, so it is suitable anywhere quality must be preserved exactly, while still saving storage and bandwidth compared with WAV. It is widely supported by music software, though less universally than MP3.
Common uses
Use this file to test lossless audio pipelines, music library and tagging software, or conversion between lossless and lossy formats.