WMA is a compressed audio format made by Microsoft that takes up less space than MP3 files

WMA stands for Windows Media Audio. It is a way of storing sound — music, podcasts, audiobooks — in a file that your computer or phone can read. Microsoft created it in the late 1990s as an alternative to MP3, and it compresses audio (makes the file smaller) while trying to keep the sound quality high.

You will see WMA files most often on older Windows computers and in music libraries that were built before streaming services became common. Some people still use WMA because the files are smaller than MP3s at the same sound quality, which matters if you have limited storage space. However, most new devices and services have moved away from WMA in favour of MP3, AAC, or streaming.

Key Takeaways

  • WMA files are compressed audio that take up less disk space than MP3 files of the same song, but most modern devices do not play them without extra software.
  • Windows Media Player, which comes built into Windows, can play WMA files, but most phones, tablets, and third-party music apps cannot.
  • You can convert WMA files to MP3 or AAC format so they work on any device, and several free tools can do this conversion.
  • WMA files sometimes include copy protection that prevents you from moving them between devices, depending on where you bought them.

How WMA compares to MP3 and other audio formats

WMA and MP3 both shrink audio files to make them smaller, but they do it differently. An MP3 file at 128 kilobits per second (a measure of sound quality) is noticeably smaller than a WMA file at the same quality level, but many people say WMA sounds better at lower quality settings. This made WMA popular for people with older computers that had limited storage.

AAC, which Apple uses for iTunes, and FLAC, which preserves the original sound quality without shrinking it much, have largely replaced WMA in new music libraries. Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music do not use WMA at all — they use their own formats that only work inside their apps. If you own WMA files, they are usually music you bought or ripped from CDs years ago.

Which devices and programs can play WMA files

Windows Media Player, which comes built into Windows, plays WMA files without any extra steps. If you are using an older Windows computer and have music in WMA format, opening the file will usually play it automatically.

Most other devices cannot play WMA without additional software. iPhones and iPads do not support WMA. Android phones can play WMA if you install a third-party music app like VLC Media Player or MusicBox, but the default music app on most Android devices will not recognize WMA files. Mac computers do not play WMA natively, though you can install VLC or convert the files first.

Some older portable music players and car stereos supported WMA, but newer models have moved to MP3 or Bluetooth streaming. If you want to listen to WMA files on a device that does not support them, converting the files to MP3 is usually the simplest solution.

How to convert WMA files to a format that works everywhere

Converting WMA to MP3 or AAC takes a few minutes and requires free software. On Windows, you can use Windows Media Player itself: right-click the WMA file, select "Copy to" or "Rip", and choose MP3 as the output format. The converted file will be saved to your Music folder.

If Windows Media Player does not have that option on your version of Windows, download VLC Media Player (free, from videolan.org). Open VLC, go to Media > Convert/Save, select your WMA file, choose MP3 as the format, and click Start. The new MP3 file will be saved in your Videos folder by default, but you can move it to Music afterward.

On a Mac, use VLC the same way: Media > Convert/Save, select the WMA file, choose MP3, and convert. You can also use iTunes if you have it — import the WMA file into iTunes, then export it as an MP3 by right-clicking and selecting "Create MP3 Version".

After conversion, you will have both the original WMA file and the new MP3 file. You can delete the WMA file if you no longer need it, or keep it as a backup. MP3 files work on any device — phones, tablets, car stereos, and older music players.

Understanding WMA copy protection and DRM

Some WMA files, especially music bought from online stores in the 2000s, include copy protection called DRM (Digital Rights Management). This protection prevents you from moving the file to certain devices or sharing it. If you try to play a protected WMA file on an unsupported device, you may see an error message.

DRM-protected WMA files can only be converted or moved if you have the right license on your computer. In most cases, if you bought the music on the computer where you are trying to convert it, the protection will allow conversion. If you bought it on a different computer, you may need to authorize the current computer through the original store's software.

Unprotected WMA files (usually ripped from your own CDs) convert freely and have no restrictions. If you are unsure whether your WMA file is protected, try converting it — the software will tell you if there is a problem.

Why WMA files are less common now

WMA was designed for a time when people bought music files and stored them on their computers. Streaming services changed that. Today, most people listen to music through Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, or similar services, which do not use WMA or any downloadable file format.

Devices also changed. When WMA was popular, computers were the main way people listened to music. Now phones are, and most phones do not support WMA. Microsoft stopped actively developing WMA years ago, and new music software rarely includes support for it.

If you have WMA files, they still work on Windows computers and can be converted to MP3 for use anywhere else. But if you are building a new music library, MP3, AAC, or streaming is a better choice because those formats work on all devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play WMA files on my iPhone?

No, iPhones do not support WMA. You will need to convert the files to MP3 or AAC format first. Use a free tool like VLC on your computer to convert them, then add the MP3 files to iTunes and sync them to your iPhone.

What is the difference between WMA and WAV?

WAV is uncompressed audio — it keeps all the original sound information, so the files are very large. WMA is compressed, which makes files much smaller but loses some sound information. WAV is used for recording and editing music; WMA is for storage and playback.

Do I lose sound quality when I convert WMA to MP3?

You may lose a small amount of quality because both formats compress audio. However, if you convert at the same quality level (like 192 kilobits per second), the difference is usually not noticeable to most ears. The bigger factor is the original quality of the WMA file.

Can I delete the WMA file after converting it to MP3?

Yes, once you have successfully converted a WMA file to MP3 and tested that the MP3 plays correctly, you can delete the WMA file. Keep the WMA only if you want a backup or if the file was protected and you might need the original later.

Why is my WMA file not converting?

The most common reason is copy protection. If the file is DRM-protected and you are trying to convert it on a different computer than where you bought it, the software may block the conversion. Try authorizing the current computer through the original music store, or convert on the computer where you purchased the file.