To convert AC3 to FLAC, select or drop your .ac3 file above, check that FLAC is chosen as the output, and click Convert. This conversion runs on our server, and your files are deleted 72 hours later.
What is an AC3 file?
AC3 – Dolby Digital (AC-3) audio. AC3 is Dolby Digital: the audio of DVDs, many Blu-rays and TV broadcasts, up to 5.1 channels. Files for home cinema equipment use it. Converting makes a new file: the sound is decoded and written again, so converting from a lossy format never brings back what was lost.
AC3 Converter →What is a FLAC file?
FLAC – FLAC lossless audio. FLAC compresses audio to about half its size without losing anything: decoding gives back exactly what went in. Converting makes a new file: the sound is decoded and written again, so converting from a lossy format never brings back what was lost.
FLAC Converter →How to convert AC3 to FLAC
- Click Select File, or drop your .ac3 files anywhere on this page. You can add several at once.
- Check that FLAC is chosen as the output format. On this page it is picked for you.
- Click Convert. When a file has to go to our server, the button says Upload and convert instead.
- Click Download next to each file when it's done.
AC3 vs FLAC: how they compare
| AC3 | FLAC | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | A stream of sound | A stream of sound |
| Editable | In audio editors | In audio editors |
| Created by | Dolby, 1992 | Xiph.Org, 2001 |
| Best for | Home cinema equipment | Keeping music at full quality |
Good to know
- The sound is decoded and written as a FLAC file, every sample kept.
- AC3 lost detail when it was made, and FLAC cannot bring it back: the file gets bigger but sounds the same as the AC3.
- Tags such as title and artist are kept where the new format has room for them. Only the first audio track is converted; pictures and video are left out.
Frequently asked questions
Is converting AC3 to FLAC free?
Yes. Everyone gets 25 free credits a day, with no account needed. Conversions on our server use one credit per started minute of work, so most cost a single credit. Credits reset at midnight UTC.
Are my AC3 files uploaded anywhere?
This conversion runs on our server, because converting audio needs ffmpeg, which does not run in a browser. Your file is sent over an encrypted connection, and both it and the result are deleted 72 hours after the conversion. The server has no internet access while it works on your file.
How large can the AC3 file be?
Up to 1 GB per file. This conversion runs on our server, which accepts files up to that size.
Will the FLAC look the same as the AC3?
Yes for the sound: every sample is kept, and tags such as title and artist are kept where FLAC has room for them. The AC3 lost detail when it was made, and FLAC cannot bring it back.
Can I convert several AC3 files at once?
Yes. Add as many files as you like; they are converted one after another, and each one gets its own Download button.
How long does converting AC3 to FLAC take?
In our tests a one-hour WAV recording became an M4A file in about 46 seconds. A song of a few minutes takes a few seconds, and most conversions cost a single credit.
Convert AC3 to other formats
- AC3 Converter
- AC3 to AAC Converter
- AC3 to AIFF Converter
- AC3 to M4A Converter
- AC3 to MP3 Converter
- AC3 to WAV Converter
- AC3 to WMA Converter
Convert other files to FLAC
- Convert to FLAC
- MP4 to FLAC Converter
- MOV to FLAC Converter
- MKV to FLAC Converter
- AVI to FLAC Converter
- WEBM to FLAC Converter
- WMV to FLAC Converter
- FLV to FLAC Converter
- MP3 to FLAC Converter
- WAV to FLAC Converter
- M4A to FLAC Converter
All audio formats
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