How To Convert FLAC to MP3
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is a lossless audio compression format. It’s often used to digitally store and transfer music without any loss in quality. The files tend to be rather large though – for example, 3 minutes of audio could take up around 18 Mb.
On the other hand, MP3 is a lossy compression format that is supported by pretty much any audio player (plus the files tend to be smaller). Sometimes you need to convert FLAC to MP3, e.g. to be able to play it on your iPod. In this post I’ll describe how you can do that.
I tried out several free FLAC to MP3 converters prior to writing this tutorial. According to my testing, dBpoweramp seems to be the best choice. So that’s what I’ll use here. However, if this converter doesn’t work for you, there are certainly other viable alternatives, e.g. Foobar2000.
Okay, on with the tutorial 
Here’s the step-by-step guide for converting FLAC to MP3.
- Install dBpoweramp Music Converter. You can download it here.
- Install the FLAC codec for dBpoweramp.
- Start up the dBpoweramp Batch Converter. Usually you can find the converter here : Programs -> dBpoweramp Music Converter -> dBpoweramp Batch Converter
- Locate the FLAC files you want to convert using the built-in navigator and tick their checkboxes. You can also select an entire folder (or several) by clicking the boxes near them. Click “Convert”.
- A conversion settings window will pop up. There’s a lot of options here, but don’t worry – in most cases you will only need a few of them. First, select “MP3 (Lame)” from the Converting To dropdown. Then set the quality and bitrate according to your preferences. And finally, choose where you want the MP3 files to be placed. Then click “Convert >>”.
- dBpoweramp will then convert the FLAC files to the MP3 format. Depending on how many files you’re converting, and the quality settings, this could take a few minutes.
- Congratulations! Now you can put the converted MP3’s on your iPod, or whatever
>Great tutorial, but it doesn’t work. It locks up every time it starts.
Just push Ctrl-Alt-Del to bring up the task manager and then X it closed. The lockup will take care of itself. Or didn’t you try that?
>Try writing something that actually works!
Try thinking for yourself or simply asking for help instead of being a jackass!
Thx
this is pretty cool
Thanks a lot man. I had downloaded OGG MP3 converter and it would only convert half the songs.
And Sonata Arctica is awesome!
So easy. I though this was gonna take some time, I was going to leave the computer on, but it converted 3GB+ in 25mins or less. Nice program, great tutorial.
Thanks.
Thanks a bunch man!! And anyone who wants to get the latest FULL version of this program check out “www.warez-bb.org” (No viruses or porn) ..
i converted the flac to mp3 but when i try to play it on winamp, the whole song fast forwards in seconds
Excellent, I have been looking for a free converter that actually converts the entire song! Good tutorial even though the converter program is pretty straight forward. People who can’t get this to work either have a MAC or is a moron.
Thanks so much this a very easy and useful tutorial.
thank you so much for this! thanks to you, I am now able to convert my FLAC files with ease!
great tutorial.
so…
after the conversions what good are the flac files? which programs use flac and where can i find them? it took a good six hours to download the flac files; i’d like to assume there’s something i can do with it….
I think most modern multimedia players support the Flac format. For example : Winamp, VLC (aka Videolan), Foobar2000.
foobar put out a really easy converter that i just started using. I was having some trouble with winamp and found it to be a great alternative.
FYI
Yay! Thank youuuu!
Super easy to use. Many thanks!
Thanks many times
. It was the first time I converted some Flac files and this software was the first I’ve used. It’s actually very usefull.
It works out perfect for me. Spend quite some time to find this website
Thanks
It’s always hard trying to find a good converter online, but I’m glad I found this!! This is a really good converter, and best of all, it works! lol. AND, best of all, someone posted this really easy to follow tutorial! Perfect!
Works fine for me. I don’t care if it’s a trial, I just converted all my FLAC at once and do NOT INTEND to acquire any more. Clarity is cute and all, but useless if I can’t broadcast that file format. Just do all your FLAC and avoid it like the plague it is after that. : )
Thanks for the tutorial, dear. Big help for a Luddite like me.
Anyone, please I need a certainty. Is this software really really working? Because if isn’t, I won’t waste my time for hoping so much with this converter..
Just download this…it’s free and there is alot more you can do with this program.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Thanks, it was useful.
This is the MOST USLESS converter. It took 1hr:35:45 to convert a singfle .flac file. On top of it all the converted file was useless too!
I was surprised to see that it used both my duel cores efficiently, it did 2 songs at a single time. Output quality was good too.
Wow, you couldn’t have made converting flac files to mp3s any easier. Thanks so much for your tutorial!!
Thank you!
Macintosh users have a very easy option. And it’s totally free. Downoad MAX (Google Macintosh file converter), drop it into your dock, and it converts FLACS into mp3s without you even thinking about it. No tutorial required, no cash required, and it’s quick and 100% reliable. I even use it to transform “troublesome” mp3 files into usable ones.
PC users, as usual, struggle on with their creaky old apps on their dim-bulb old pcs. Sigh!
Great job dude. Thanks.
That was awesome! Worked like a charm. Thanks for the walkthrough!!
That was super easy. Thanks for making complicated computer stuff easy for us non-tech savvy people.
Worked perfectly. Utilized my dual-core processor well, putting each CPU to work on a different audio file. Sweet software, great walkthrough.