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Definition
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is an open-source audio format that compresses audio without any quality loss. FLAC files are typically 50-60% the size of equivalent WAV files while being bit-for-bit identical when decoded. It is the standard format for lossless music distribution.
FLAC compresses audio using linear prediction and entropy coding to reduce file sizes by 40-50% compared to uncompressed WAV — without discarding any data. Decoding a FLAC file reproduces the exact same waveform as the original recording, sample for sample. This makes FLAC ideal for music archival, audiophile collections, and mastering workflows.
The format supports sample rates up to 655,350 Hz, bit depths up to 32 bits per sample, and up to 8 channels. FLAC also supports embedded metadata (tags), cover art, and seek tables for fast random access. Files typically use the .flac extension and are widely supported by media players, streaming devices, and music management software.
For practical listening, the difference between FLAC and high-bitrate AAC/MP3 (256+ kbps) is debatable — controlled listening tests consistently show that most people cannot reliably distinguish them. FLAC's real value is in preservation: it guarantees that the original quality is maintained regardless of how many times the file is copied, and it can always be transcoded to any lossy format without generational loss.