WAV (Waveform Audio File Format)

Microsoft + IBM’s uncompressed PCM container. Stores PCM samples raw, with a small header — no compression, no quality loss, but file sizes are ~2× larger than the equivalent FLAC.

Workflow standard in professional audio: DAWs, mastering chains, archival storage. Consumer-side use is dwindling in favor of FLAC since both formats deliver bit-identical playback with FLAC’s smaller storage footprint.

Direct container for any PCM rate from 16/44.1 upward. No metadata tagging standard (one of WAV’s lasting weaknesses) so most consumers prefer FLAC for library use.