What Sound File Formats Do Games Use?

Here are the audio file formats commonly used in games:

Uncompressed Formats

• WAV (.wav): High-quality and easy for looping. Best for short sound effects.
• AIF/AIFF (.aif/.aiff): Apple’s uncompressed format, similar to WAV.

Compressed Formats

• OGG (Vorbis/Opus): Popular for its high quality, small file size, and seamless looping. Ideal for games.
• MP3 (.mp3): Widely supported but not great for looping due to gaps.
• AAC (.aac): Smaller file size and better quality than MP3.

Other Formats

• FLAC (.flac): Lossless compression, mainly used for soundtracks or high-quality audio.
• Tracker Files (MOD, IT, XM): Used in retro games or when lightweight audio is needed.

Key Points for Choosing Formats

• For sound effects or critical audio: Use WAV.
• For background music or ambient sounds: Use OGG.
• Check compatibility with your game engine (e.g., Unity, Unreal) and target platform.