How to Convert FLAC to MP3

Last Updated: February 2, 2022 Approved

FLAC files sound great because of their lossless encoding, but they take up a lot of space and aren't compatible with all music players. This wikiHow article will teach you how to convert FLAC files to the more portable MP3 format.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Converting FLAC to MP3 on Windows and Mac OS X

1
Download MediaHuman's Audio Converter application. Go to their website. Download the installation file for your computer.
2
Install the Audio Converter application.

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3
Open Audio Converter.
4
Click and drag one or more FLAC files onto the Audio Converter window. You can also add files by clicking the + button. This opens a file picker window.
5
Click the Format dropdown menu, and then click MP3. It's the only dropdown menu in the Audio Converter menu bar.
6
In the MP3 dialog box, choose the format settings for the final MP3 files.
- You can choose whether to convert to mono or stereo audio. You will probably lose some audio content if you choose the mono option.
- You can choose what sample rate you want to use. 44.1 kHz (or 44100 Hz) is the sample rate used by audio CDs. Less than that and you'll start to hear the loss in quality.
- You can choose the bit rate you want to use. 128kbps is often used for MP3s on the internet.^{[1]
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7
Convert the audio. Click the Convert button to start converting the FLAC files.
8
Find the converted files. Click the Locate button next to the converted files to open the directory with the converted MP3s.
- The Locate button looks like a magnifying glass.
- Audio Converter can also convert to WMA, MP3, AAC, WAV, OGG, AIFF, and Apple Lossless audio formats.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Converting for GNOME in Linux

1
Download and install SoundConverter. It's located at http://soundconverter.org.
- SoundConverter is free software licensed under the GPL.
2
Open SoundConverter.
3
Click Preferences to open the Preferences window.
4
In the Preferences window, click Choose, and then choose the folder location for the converted MP3 files.
5
Under Type of result, click the Format dropdown menu, and then click MP3 (mp3).
6
Choose the MP3 audio quality. Click the Quality dropdown menu, and then choose the audio quality you want.
7
Load FLAC files into SoundConverter. In the main window, click Add File to add a file or Add Folder to add a folder of FLAC files. The files are added to the SoundConverter list.
8
Click Convert. SoundConverter begins converting the FLAC files to MP3 in the output folder you chose.
- SoundConverter can convert audio files into many different formats.^{[2]
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Community Q&A

Question

What is the bit rate of converted MP3s?

Community Answer

It depends on your choice. The file can be converted to 128,192, 256 and even 320kbps.
Question

What bit rate is the best to choose?

K0t2004

Community Answer

If you want the best possible audio quality in MP3 format then choose 320 kbps.
Question

If I convert to MP3 with MediaHuman (method 1), will I lose the original FLAC file, or does it just create a new file?

K0t2004

Community Answer

By default, the new file will be created; however, you can choose the "Delete the source file" option in your preferences if you'd like.