What is a .wv file?
WavPack Audio · Audio · David Bryant · 1998
A .wv file is WavPack audio, an open lossless format with an unusual hybrid mode: it can store a small lossy file plus a correction file that together reconstruct the lossless original.
What is a .wv file used for?
WavPack files start with the marker wvpk. In normal mode they are fully lossless; in hybrid mode a compact .wv lossy file pairs with a .wvc correction file so you can keep both a small and a perfect copy.
It is open and free, with solid support in audiophile players. Convert to FLAC or WAV for players that do not read it.
How to open a .wv file
The .wv format opens in the following apps, grouped by operating system. If one app does not work, try another from the same list. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to open a .wv file.
Windows
- foobar2000
- VLC
- WavPack tools
macOS
- VLC
- XLD
Linux
- VLC
- ffmpeg
- Deadbeef
How to convert a .wv file
You can convert a .wv file to flac, wav, mp3 using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.
.wv file signature (magic bytes)
Programs recognise a .wv file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for WavPack. For a full breakdown, see the WavPack file signature page.
| Hex signature | Offset | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 77 76 70 6B | 0 | 'wvpk' |
See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .wv file?
A .wv file is WavPack audio, an open lossless format with an unusual hybrid mode: it can store a small lossy file plus a correction file that together reconstruct the lossless original.
How do I open a .wv file?
Play it in VLC or foobar2000, or convert it to FLAC or WAV with ffmpeg for wider support.
What is WavPack hybrid mode?
It splits audio into a small lossy .wv file and a .wvc correction file. Together they are lossless; the .wv alone plays as a compact lossy track.
Is WavPack lossless?
In its normal mode, yes, fully lossless. It also offers a hybrid mode that combines a lossy file with an optional lossless correction file.
Related formats
Sources
Details on this page were checked against authoritative references: