WAV File Type

- The quick facts

What are WAV files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a WAV file or just wondering what they contain? We explain what these files are used for and show you software that we know can open or otherwise handle your files.

What is a WAV file?

WAV files have multiple uses, and Waveform Audio is one of them.

Waveform Audio File

WAV files are audio files saved in the Waveform Audio File Format. The WAV format was invented by Microsoft and IBM as an audio format to use on PCs, and it is the main audio format used in Microsoft Windows.

You can use WAV files to record audio files that can be saved with different sampling and bitrates. The files that contain the .wav file extension are similar to AIF files, but WAV files are based on the Resource Interchange File Format (RIFF) and not the Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF).

WAV files usually contain raw, uncompressed audio data but can also contain compressed (reduced-in-size) audio data.

How to open WAV files

We have identified one WAV opener that is compatible with this specific type of WAV file.

Programs that open Waveform Audio files

Last updated: March 5, 2022

All known file formats using extension .WAV

While Waveform Audio File is a popular type of WAV-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .WAV extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Broadcast Wave File audio

Broadcard Wave File is an extension of the popular Waveform Audio Format invented by Microsoft and IBM. This variation was invented by the European Broadcasting Union and is a recording format used by digital recorders used for movies, radio and television.

It extends the standard WAV format with additional metadata, which makes it easy to exchange sound data between various computer platforms and software systems. The data is stored as "extension chunks" in a standard WAV-file, so players, while not supporting the extensions, can still play the audio file.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different WAV openers which you will find listed below.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of WAV files. Remember, different programs may use WAV files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.