WMA file (Windows Media Audio)
Windows Media Audio.
Last updated
Convert WMA to MP3, free and without uploading it.
What is a WMA file?
In short: A WMA file (.wma) is an audio file in the WMA format. WMA was Microsoft's competitor to MP3, bundled with Windows and with the Windows Media Player ripping defaults, which is why so many CD collections ripped in the 2000s are in it. It can be converted to MP3, WAV or FLAC for free in a web browser with iHateFiles, without uploading it.
Introduced by Microsoft in 1999 alongside Windows Media Player.
WMA was Microsoft's competitor to MP3, bundled with Windows and with the Windows Media Player ripping defaults, which is why so many CD collections ripped in the 2000s are in it. It was also a vehicle for digital rights management on early music stores.
What WMA is good at
- Somewhat better than MP3 at low bitrates
- Native on Windows with nothing installed
- Common in older ripped collections
Where WMA falls short
- Effectively Windows-only
- Not supported by browsers, iOS or most players
- Some files carry DRM that can no longer be authorised
When to use WMA
Convert WMA to MP3 or M4A so the music plays on something other than an old Windows PC.
How to open a WMA file
Windows Media Player and VLC.
| Windows | Windows Media Player and Groove, natively. |
|---|---|
| macOS | VLC. Apple’s Music app has never supported WMA. |
| Linux | VLC or Rhythmbox, through FFmpeg. |
| Phone | VLC. |
| In a browser | No browser plays WMA. |
The thing that usually goes wrong
A WMA bought from an early music store may be DRM-locked, and no conversion can lawfully unlock it. A WMA you ripped yourself converts without any trouble.
Not sure the file really is a WMA? Identify it by its contents, whatever its extension says.
Questions
What is a WMA file?
WMA stands for Windows Media Audio. Windows Media Audio. Files use the .wma extension.
What does WMA stand for?
WMA stands for Windows Media Audio.
How do I open a WMA file?
On Windows: Windows Media Player and Groove, natively. On a Mac: VLC. Apple’s Music app has never supported WMA. On a phone: VLC. Or convert a WMA here to a format that opens everywhere, free and without uploading it.
Can I convert WMA for free?
Yes. Every conversion here is free and unlimited, because your own device does the work rather than a server we have to pay for.
Is WMA lossless?
No. WMA is a lossy format, so saving discards some detail to save space.