File Extension |
.wav |
Format Type |
Audio |
Developer |
Microsoft, IBM |
Description |
Uncompressed audio file format |
Compression |
Uncompressed (PCM), but supports various codecs |
Sample Rate |
Common values: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 96 kHz, 192 kHz, etc. |
Bit Depth |
Typically 8, 16, 24, or 32 bits per sample |
Channels |
Mono (1), Stereo (2), Multichannel (up to 255 channels) |
Endianness |
Little-endian (most common), big-endian |
Metadata Support |
Limited (can include text information or other data) |
Compatibility |
Widely supported across platforms and software |
Uses |
Audio recording, playback, editing, and archiving |
Pros |
Lossless, high quality, suitable for professional use |
Cons |
Large file sizes for uncompressed audio |
Alternative Formats |
MP3, AAC, FLAC, OGG, etc. (compressed audio formats) |