MP3 or WAV: which should you choose?
The right format depends on where your clip will go next. Sound Trimmer reads supported MP3 and WAV recordings, then creates a new file from the selected audio. The source file on your device stays unchanged.
| Format | Best suited to | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| MP3 | Sharing, smaller downloads and everyday audio clips | Lossy compression. Choose 128, 192 or 320 kbps. Higher bitrate usually means a larger file. |
| WAV | Further editing and workflows that accept uncompressed audio | Uncompressed 16-bit PCM. Usually larger than MP3. Avoids another lossy encoding step, but cannot restore quality already lost. |
Choosing an MP3 bitrate
192 kbps is the default starting point. 128 kbps creates smaller files; 320 kbps gives the encoder more space to represent the sound. Listen to your own clip before deciding. Exporting a low-quality recording at 320 kbps does not recreate missing detail.
Why a WAV download can be larger
A WAV export stores audio samples without MP3 compression. File size depends mainly on clip length, sample rate and channel count. A shorter clip exported to WAV can still be larger than a longer original MP3.
Timing and compression
The selection is cut at audio-sample boundaries after decoding. MP3 encoding may add a small amount of leading or trailing padding, so another player may show a slightly different duration. Choose WAV when exact sample duration matters. Trimming an MP3 involves decoding and re-encoding; this tool does not offer lossless MP3 frame cutting.
Supported recordings
Open standard MP3 or WAV files up to 60 MB and five minutes, with one or two audio channels. The browser must be able to decode the file. Unusual WAV encodings and damaged files may fail. Audio is processed at the browser AudioContext sample rate; this tool is not intended for preserving high-resolution mastering formats or surround audio.