.flac — Free Lossless Audio Codec
Xiph.Org Foundation · 2001
What is a .flac file?
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is an audio format that compresses music files to about 50-70% of their original size without any loss of quality. Unlike MP3 which discards audio data to achieve compression, FLAC preserves every bit of the original recording, making it the preferred format for audiophiles and music archivists. FLAC supports high-resolution audio up to 32-bit/384kHz and includes metadata support for album art and track information.
Programs That Open .flac Files
| Platform | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | foobar2000 | Free | |
| VLC Media Player | Free | ||
| AIMP | Free | ||
| macOS | VLC Media Player | Free | |
| Apple Music (macOS 11+) | Free |
Common Problems with .flac Files
Frequently Asked Questions
.flac files can be opened with several programs. foobar2000 is one of the most popular choices.
Generally yes, .flac files are safe to open with appropriate software.
Yes, there are many online and offline tools available to convert .flac files. Check the conversion section above for specific methods.
Technical Details
Free Lossless Audio Codec files use the audio/flac MIME type and were first introduced in 2001 by Xiph.Org Foundation. The file can be identified by its signature: 66 4C 61 43 (fLaC).