Video to FLAC Converter

How to Convert Video to FLAC Online

1. Upload Your Video File: Drag and drop or click "+ Add Files" to load MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, WebM, AVCHD, MTS, M2TS, VOB, WMV, FLV, or any of the 30+ supported video formats. Batch upload is supported — all files convert with the same settings.
2. Pick Compression Level: The slider goes 1-12 (FFmpeg's extended range; the FLAC reference encoder only goes 0-8). All levels are lossless — higher numbers shrink the file further at the cost of encoder CPU time. 12 is the default and squeezes out roughly 5-10% more space than level 5 with no quality difference at playback.
3. Set Audio Channel and Sample Rate (Optional): Both default to "Original," which passes the source through untouched — the right choice when you want a bit-identical archive. Override only if you need to downmix 5.1 surround to stereo or match a target sample rate (44.1 kHz for CD-style libraries, 48 kHz for video workflows).
4. Convert and Download: Click Convert. Files are processed on our servers and a download link is returned — no watermark, no sign-up, no account required.

Why Convert Video to FLAC?

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is the open-source lossless format developed by Josh Coalson and maintained by the Xiph.Org Foundation. Unlike MP3 or AAC, FLAC discards zero audio data — the decoded waveform is mathematically bit-identical to the source. The compression typically halves the file size of an equivalent WAV without touching quality, and the format ships with built-in MD5 checksums so you can verify the file decades from now.

• Archival masters from camcorder or DSLR footage — AVCHD camcorders and most mirrorless cameras record Linear PCM or AC-3 audio inside the video container. Extracting to FLAC gives you a smaller, verifiable, metadata-friendly copy of the master audio without the bulky video track.
• Live concert and lecture rips — When the only existing recording is on a DVD, miniDV tape, or MTS file from a handicam, FLAC preserves the original mix exactly for re-mastering or re-distribution.
• Audiobook and podcast production — Editors prefer lossless source files because every subsequent edit, EQ pass, or noise-reduction step compounds artifacts in lossy formats. FLAC lets you re-encode to MP3/AAC at the end of the workflow, not the start.
• Music video isolation for cover sets — Musicians extracting a backing track from an official music video want the cleanest possible source. FLAC preserves the full dynamic range and stereo image of the original mix.
• Hi-Res Audio libraries (24-bit/96 kHz and above) — FLAC supports up to 32-bit samples and 655,350 Hz per RFC 9639, so it's the standard distribution format for Bandcamp, Qobuz, and most audiophile labels. Extracting from a 24-bit Blu-ray rip preserves the studio master.
• Cross-platform compatibility — Native playback in VLC, foobar2000, Plex, Roon, Sonos, modern Android, Windows 10+, and macOS 10.13+. iOS gained native FLAC support in iOS 11 (2017) via the Files app.

FLAC vs MP3 vs WAV vs ALAC — Format Comparison

FLAC Compression Level Quick Guide

Decode speed is identical at every level — the trade-off only applies once at encode time. Pick the highest level your patience allows for archival jobs, and 5 for everything else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my FLAC file larger than the original video's audio track?

It usually isn't — but it can be when the source video used a heavily compressed lossy codec like 96 kbps AAC and you're up-converting to 16-bit/44.1 kHz PCM-FLAC. FLAC can only be smaller than the uncompressed PCM it represents; it cannot losslessly shrink an already-compressed AAC stream further. If you want a smaller file, stay in the lossy domain and use Convert Video to MP3 or convert to AAC instead.

Does extracting to FLAC improve the quality over the original?

No, and nothing can. FLAC is lossless, so the FLAC file's audio is bit-identical to whatever was in the video container — no better, no worse. If the camcorder recorded muddy 128 kbps AAC, the FLAC will faithfully reproduce that muddy audio at a larger file size. The benefit of FLAC is preventing future quality loss when you re-edit or re-encode.

What sample rate should I pick?

Leave it on "Original" unless you have a specific reason. The "Original" pass-through preserves whatever the source recorded — 48 kHz for almost all video, 44.1 kHz for some music-mastered clips, 96 kHz for high-res Blu-ray rips. Downsampling discards data; upsampling adds zero quality and bloats the file. Only resample when targeting a device that doesn't support the source rate (rare in 2026).

Should I downmix surround sound to stereo?

Depends on the target. Modern phones, laptops, and most headphones output stereo, so a stereo FLAC is more portable and roughly half the size. Keep multichannel if you're archiving 5.1 movie soundtracks or surround concert recordings for a home theater. xconvert's Audio Channel control lets you force stereo, mono, or pass the original layout through.

How does FLAC compare to ALAC for audio extracted from video?

Both are lossless and both will give you bit-identical audio. ALAC (Apple Lossless) is native to the Apple ecosystem — iTunes, Apple Music, iPhone — and is preferred if you stay inside Apple. FLAC has wider cross-platform support (Android, Windows, Linux, Plex, Sonos, VLC, and now iOS 11+). FLAC files are typically 0-3% smaller than ALAC for the same audio source.

Why does compression level 12 not shrink the file dramatically more than level 5?

Because the difference is asymptotic. Most of the compressible redundancy in audio is captured by level 5; going higher just runs additional prediction passes for diminishing returns — usually 1-3% smaller per step above 8. Level 12 may take 5-10x longer to encode than level 5 for less than 5% extra savings. For archive use it's worth it; for everyday conversion, level 5 or the default is fine.

Will the FLAC keep the metadata from my video file?

Container-level metadata like artist, title, and album from MP4/MKV files is migrated where possible into FLAC's Vorbis Comments block. Chapter markers and embedded artwork are preserved when present. Subtitle tracks and video-only metadata (codec, frame rate) are dropped — those don't apply to audio-only files. You can edit tags after download with foobar2000, Mp3tag, or MusicBrainz Picard.

Can I extract just a section of the audio instead of the whole video?

Yes — use the Trim control in Advanced Options to set a start time and duration, and only that segment will be encoded as FLAC. For more elaborate cut/join workflows on the resulting audio, the dedicated Audio Cutter tool is faster than re-running a full conversion.

Why not just keep the WAV? It's also lossless.

Three reasons. First, FLAC is typically 40-50% smaller than the equivalent WAV with bit-identical audio. Second, FLAC supports proper tagging (artist, album, artwork, lyrics) where WAV's RIFF INFO chunk is barely used and inconsistently supported. Third, FLAC stores an MD5 checksum of the decoded audio, so you can verify a 10-year-old archive is still intact. If you need WAV specifically for a DAW that doesn't read FLAC, use Convert Video to WAV or FLAC to WAV afterwards.