File Extension Database

Open WAV File

WAV files, which can also be named as WAVE, is an abbreviation for Waveform audio file format, is a digital audio format with or without data compression developed jointly by Microsoft and IBM.

The WAV file is used to store digital audio streams on the PC, mono and stereo at various resolutions and sample rates.

The WAV file is a variant of the RIFF format, which comes from the Resource Interchange File Format, consisting of a method for storage in packages defined by IBM and Microsoft.

Thus, the RIFF format, and therefore the WAV format, acts as a container for various audio encoding formats, similar to IFF and AIFF formats, compatible with Apple Macintosh.

The format considers some peculiarities of Intel processors, because it is optimally designed by IBM and Microsoft Windows.

This is why WAV is the main audio format for Windows.

It is important to note that the WAV format is compatible with almost any audio codec, however it is based on the LPCM (Linear Pulse Coded Modulation) format, which has no loss of quality and is suitable for professional use.

The WAV format can have a quality similar to that of audio CD, sampling at a frequency of 44100 Hz and 16 bits for each audio channel.

That is why professional or expert audio users can use the WAV format with LPCM audio for maximum audio quality.

But also, the WAV format supports audio compression, using Microsoft's Audio Compression Manager (ACM Codec) codec, achieving characteristics similar to those of MP3 or Ogg Vorbis files.

A notable characteristic of WAV files is that their header indicates that they are 32-bit, which limits their maximum size to 4 GB.

Software to open a WAV file

Typical WAV application file locations:

C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunes.exe /open "%L"
"C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /play "%L"
C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QuickTimePlayer.exe "%1"
%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /Open "%L"
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe" /Play "%L"

Typical WAV mime types:

audio/wav

Frequently used application names to open WAV files:

iTunes
QuickTime
Windows Media Player

Frequently associated Windows objects:

iTunes.wav
QuickTime.wav
soundrec
WMP11.AssocFile.WAV

How Can I Open WAV File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open WAV file is to find a WAV file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a WAV file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open WAV file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as WAV file opener then try to search online for "WAV viewer", "application to open WAV file" or "open WAV file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open WAV file

How Can I Open WAV File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a WAV file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a WAV file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with WAV file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as WAV file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open WAV file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open WAV file then try to search for "WAV viewer", "application to open WAV file" or "read WAV file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read WAV file

How Can I Open WAV File on Android

If you downloaded a WAV file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded WAV file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "WAV".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "WAV viewer", "WAV file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open WAV File on iPhone or iPad

To open WAV File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the WAV file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "WAV". This way you can find apps which can open WAV files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "WAV viewer" or "WAV file" online in your favorite search engine.

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