How to Convert MP4 to WAV on Windows & Mac
Updated August 31, 2026
MP4 to WAV is the editor's version of extracting audio from video: instead of a compressed MP3, you get the soundtrack as an uncompressed file that any audio editor, DAW, or transcription workflow will take without complaint.
This guide uses ConvertSave, a drag-and-drop converter for Windows and Mac. The conversion runs locally and offline, which suits interview and session footage.
How to convert MP4 to WAV
- 1
Drag your files into ConvertSave
Open ConvertSave and drag your MP4 files into the window. You can drop one file or a whole selection at once. There is no upload step, because the files never leave your computer.
- 2
Choose WAV as the output format
Pick WAV from the format list. ConvertSave shows the formats that make sense for the files you dropped, so WAV is right there.
- 3
Click Convert
Hit the Convert button. Each WAV file is saved next to the original, so you don't have to hunt through folders to find your converted files. The originals are left untouched.
MP4 to M4A or AAC instead
If the goal is a small file rather than an uncompressed one, pick M4A or AAC from the same list; both keep quality high at a fraction of WAV's size. FLAC and OGG are there too. For plain everyday listening, MP3 remains the most compatible pick, and it has its own guide.
How to batch convert MP4 to WAV
Drag in every recording at once, pick WAV once, and convert. Each WAV is saved next to its video. WAV runs about 10 MB per minute of audio, so a big batch wants some disk space. We've tested batches of up to a thousand files.
Is MP4 to WAV conversion safe?
The risk with extracting audio from your videos isn't the conversion itself, it's where the conversion happens. Free converter websites work by uploading your file to someone else's server. You usually can't tell who runs the server, where it is, or how long your file sticks around after the conversion finishes. For personal videos and photos that's a real privacy trade, and it's the reason so many of those sites are covered in aggressive ads.
ConvertSave does the conversion on your own computer. Nothing is uploaded anywhere. You can turn off Wi-Fi entirely and it still works, which is also the easy way to verify the claim. Your original file is never modified, and the converted copy is written right next to it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WAV really uncompressed?
Yes. The video's audio track is decoded to standard uncompressed PCM audio. Note the source track itself was compressed inside the MP4, so the WAV faithfully carries that quality forward; it can't add detail the video never had.
Why WAV instead of MP3?
Editing. WAV re-saves without generational loss and every audio tool accepts it. For listening or sharing, MP3's smaller files win.
Can I do this with MOV, MKV, or WEBM videos too?
Yes, the same steps work for all the common video formats, in the same queue if you like.
Do my videos get uploaded anywhere?
No. ConvertSave converts on your computer and works offline. Nothing leaves your machine.
Is ConvertSave free?
There's a 7-day free trial with all features unlocked. After that it's $9/month, $60/year, or $129 once for a lifetime license that covers 3 personal devices on Mac and Windows.
