Sample WAV Files Download
Need a sample WAV file to test an audio player, an editor, a converter, or an upload form? Download free WAV test files in three lengths (20 seconds, 1 minute, and 2 minutes), with no registration. Every file is uncompressed 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo PCM, the same quality as an audio CD, so they play in every browser, DAW, and media player.
For other formats, check out our selection of audio files
Pick and Download Free Sample WAV Files
Sample1.wav
2:00 / WAV / 21.2MB
Description: Two minutes of 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo PCM. Use it to test large uploads, streaming, progress bars, and timeouts.
Sample2.wav
1:00 / WAV / 10.6MB
Description: One minute of 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo PCM. At 10.6 MB it is just over a typical 10 MB upload limit, and a good size for editing and conversion tests.
Sample3.wav
0:20 / WAV / 3.5MB
Description: Twenty seconds of 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo PCM. Small enough for quick playback checks, unit tests, and test fixtures.
What Is a WAV File?
WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) is an audio format created by Microsoft and IBM. It is based on the RIFF container: a short header that describes the audio (sample rate, bit depth, number of channels) followed by the audio data. Most WAV files, including the ones on this page, store that data as uncompressed PCM.
Because nothing is compressed, WAV files keep every bit of the original recording. Unlike lossy formats such as MP3, there is no loss of quality, no matter how many times you edit and save the file. The trade-off is size: CD-quality WAV takes about 10.6 MB per minute, about seven times more than a 192 kbps MP3.
This is why WAV is the standard format for music production, sound design, audio engineering, and archiving. You record and edit in WAV, then export to a compressed format for distribution.
Technical Specifications
All three files share the same audio format. Only the length and size change.
| Container | RIFF / WAVE |
|---|---|
| Codec | PCM, signed 16-bit little-endian (pcm_s16le) |
| Sample rate | 44,100 Hz |
| Bit depth | 16-bit |
| Channels | 2 (stereo) |
| Bitrate | 1,411 kbps |
| Metadata | LIST/INFO and id3 chunks after the audio data |
Which Sample WAV File Should You Use?
| File | Length | Size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| sample-file-3.wav | 0:20 | 3.5 MB | Quick playback checks, unit tests, form uploads |
| sample-file-2.wav | 1:00 | 10.6 MB | Editing and conversion tests, typical 10 MB upload limits |
| sample-file-1.wav | 2:00 | 21.2 MB | Large uploads, streaming, progress bars, timeouts |
How to Download, Inspect, and Convert a WAV File
The examples below use ffprobe and ffmpeg
(from FFmpeg), plus Python and JavaScript. The output shown is what you get with
the files on this page.
Step 1: Download the file
Click Download file next to any sample above, or fetch it from the command line. Each file has a stable direct URL, so you can also download it in a CI job.
# Download a single file
curl -O https://samples-files.com/samples/audio/wav/sample-file-3.wav
# Download all three lengths
curl -O https://samples-files.com/samples/audio/wav/sample-file-1.wav \
-O https://samples-files.com/samples/audio/wav/sample-file-2.wav \
-O https://samples-files.com/samples/audio/wav/sample-file-3.wavStep 2: Inspect the audio format
Check the codec, sample rate, channels, and bit depth before you use a file in a test, so you know exactly what your code receives.
$ ffprobe -v error \
-show_entries stream=codec_name,sample_rate,channels,bits_per_sample,duration \
-of default=nw=1 sample-file-3.wav
codec_name=pcm_s16le
sample_rate=44100
channels=2
bits_per_sample=16
duration=19.714286Step 3: Read it in your code
Python's standard library includes the wave module, which
reads PCM WAV files with no extra packages:
import wave
with wave.open("sample-file-3.wav", "rb") as w:
print("Channels:", w.getnchannels())
print("Sample rate:", w.getframerate(), "Hz")
print("Bit depth:", w.getsampwidth() * 8, "bit")
print("Duration:", round(w.getnframes() / w.getframerate(), 2), "s")
# Channels: 2
# Sample rate: 44100 Hz
# Bit depth: 16 bit
# Duration: 19.71 sIn the browser, decode and play it with the Web Audio API:
// Run in the browser console on this page
const res = await fetch("/samples/audio/wav/sample-file-3.wav");
const ctx = new AudioContext();
const buffer = await ctx.decodeAudioData(await res.arrayBuffer());
console.log(buffer.numberOfChannels, buffer.sampleRate, buffer.duration);
// 2 44100 19.71...
// Play it
const src = ctx.createBufferSource();
src.buffer = buffer;
src.connect(ctx.destination);
src.start();Step 4: Convert it to another format
WAV is a good source format for conversion tests, because you start from lossless audio. Converting to FLAC keeps the audio identical; converting to MP3 makes the file much smaller but loses some detail.
# Lossless: WAV to FLAC (3.5 MB -> 1.4 MB, same audio)
ffmpeg -i sample-file-3.wav -c:a flac sample-file-3.flac
# Lossy: WAV to MP3 at 192 kbps
ffmpeg -i sample-file-3.wav -b:a 192k sample-file-3.mp3
# Speech/ML input: mono, 16 kHz (3.5 MB -> 631 KB)
ffmpeg -i sample-file-3.wav -ac 1 -ar 16000 sample-file-3-16k.wavDownload Best Practices
- Use the Download button. Opening the link directly makes most browsers play the file instead of saving it.
- Pick the size that matches your test. Use the 3.5 MB file for fast tests and the 21.2 MB file only when you need to test large uploads or streaming.
- Keep the original as your reference. Convert copies, not the original file, so you always have lossless audio to compare against.
- Don't assume a 44-byte header. These files include LIST and id3 metadata chunks. Code that reads the audio from byte 44 or treats everything after the header as audio will break on real-world WAV files, so read the chunks properly.
- Mind the volume. Turn your speakers down before the first playback, especially when testing a new player or audio pipeline.
Other Sample Audio files you may like
Sample MP3 Files
Download free sample MP3 files, the most widely supported compressed audio format.
Sample FLAC Files
Download free sample FLAC files: lossless compressed audio, about half the size of WAV.
Sample OGG Files
Download free sample OGG files, an open, royalty-free compressed audio format.
Here are some ideas for using a WAV file
1. Music Production WAV files are commonly used in music production as they provide the highest quality audio, allowing producers to create high fidelity recordings and mixes.
2. Sound Design WAV files are often used in sound design for film, TV, and video games. They allow sound designers to create and manipulate audio with precision, resulting in a more immersive and realistic experience for the audience.
3. Podcasts and Radio Shows Podcasts and radio shows often use WAV files to ensure the best possible sound quality for their listeners. WAV files also allow for easy editing and processing of audio.
4. Voiceovers WAV files are ideal for recording voiceovers for videos, presentations, and commercials. The uncompressed nature of WAV files ensures that the voiceover maintains its clarity and natural sound.
5. Audio Engineering WAV files are often used by audio engineers for mixing and mastering. The high quality and uncompressed nature of WAV files make them ideal for ensuring the best possible sound for the final product.
6. Field Recording WAV files are used by field recordists for capturing sounds in the natural environment. They provide the highest quality audio, allowing for a more accurate representation of the sound being recorded.
7. Audio Restoration WAV files are often used in audio restoration to repair and improve damaged or degraded audio recordings. The uncompressed nature of WAV files allows for more precise and effective restoration techniques.
8. Software Testing Use WAV files as fixtures to test audio players, upload forms, transcoding pipelines, and speech-to-text services. Because the format is simple and uncompressed, results are predictable and easy to compare.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sample WAV Files
What is a sample WAV file?
A sample WAV file is a ready-made audio file in the Waveform Audio File Format that you can use to test audio players, editors, converters, and upload forms without recording your own audio. The files on this page are uncompressed 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo PCM, the same quality as an audio CD.
Are these sample WAV files free?
Yes. Every WAV file on Samples Files is free to download with no registration or sign-up, and you can use them in personal and commercial projects.
Why are WAV files so large?
WAV files usually store uncompressed PCM audio. At 44.1 kHz, 16-bit, and two channels, that is 44,100 × 2 bytes × 2 channels = about 176 KB per second, or roughly 10.6 MB per minute. A 192 kbps MP3 of the same minute is about 1.4 MB.
What is the difference between WAV and MP3?
WAV stores audio without compression, so nothing is lost. MP3 uses lossy compression that removes sounds people are less likely to hear, making files about 7 to 10 times smaller. Use WAV for recording, editing, and archiving, and MP3 for distribution and streaming.
Which WAV file should I use to test file uploads?
Use sample-file-2.wav (10.6 MB) to test a 10 MB upload limit, because it is just over it. Use sample-file-1.wav (21.2 MB) to test large uploads, progress bars, and timeouts, and sample-file-3.wav (3.5 MB) for a file that should always be accepted.
If you want to know more about the WAV format you can find more information here.