Convert MKV to WMA Online Free
Drag & drop your .mkv file here, or click to browse
Converts to WMA on secure servers · first daily conversion free · no signup
Your first conversion each day is free. A $2.99 one-time Day Pass unlocks 24 hours and ends by itself.
Extract the audio from your Matroska MKV video and save it as WMA — the Windows Media Audio format. Useful for sharing HD media audio with Windows Media Player users and Windows-centric media systems.
By ChangeThisFile Team · Last updated: March 2026
ChangeThisFile extracts audio from your Matroska MKV video and encodes it as WMA using FFmpeg on our secure servers. WMA works natively in Windows Media Player and is compatible with Xbox and Windows media devices. Files are auto-deleted, free with no signup required.
Matroska vs WMA: Format Comparison
Key differences between the two formats
| Feature | MKV (Matroska) | WMA |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Open video container | Microsoft proprietary audio format |
| Developer | Matroska.org | Microsoft |
| Audio codec | AC-3, DTS, AAC, FLAC, PCM, etc. | Windows Media Audio codec |
| Windows Media Player | Not supported natively | Native format — opens immediately |
| File size | Large (HD video included) | Small — comparable to MP3 |
| DRM support | Limited | Strong — PlayReady DRM |
| Use case | HD media libraries | Windows Media Player, Xbox, corporate Windows |
When to Convert
Common scenarios where this conversion is useful
Share MKV audio with Windows Media Player users
Windows Media Player does not support MKV without third-party codecs. Converting the audio to WMA creates a file that opens natively in Windows Media Player — no codec installation required.
Move HD MKV audio to Xbox media library
Xbox consoles support WMA from USB drives and network shares. Extract the audio from HD film or anime MKV files as WMA to play through your Xbox and connected home theater system.
Prepare MKV audio for corporate Windows media distribution
Corporate environments using Windows Media Player for training or entertainment content expect WMA or MP3 files. Convert MKV video recordings to WMA for seamless distribution on Windows machines without codec setup.
Convert MKV documentary audio for Windows editing tools
Windows Movie Maker and some Windows-based video editors support WMA as an audio import format. Extract audio from MKV documentaries as WMA for use in Windows editing workflows.
Create WMA audio files for Windows phone playback
Legacy Windows Mobile devices natively support WMA. Extract audio from MKV files as WMA to play on older Windows phones or CE-based portable media players.
Who Uses This Conversion
Tailored guidance for different workflows
Podcasters
- Pull the audio from a recorded Matroska interview or webinar and publish it as a WMA episode
- Convert a Matroska livestream recording to WMA so listeners can catch up on the go
Musicians & Producers
- Extract a performance take from a Matroska video into WMA to edit in your DAW
- Rip reference audio from a Matroska clip to WMA for sampling or transcription
Content Creators
- Convert a Matroska recording to WMA to reuse the soundtrack as background audio or a voiceover
- Turn a Matroska talk into a WMA audiogram or clip for social platforms
How to Convert Matroska to WMA
-
1
Upload your MKV file
Drag and drop your .mkv file onto the converter or click to browse and select it. The free tier accepts files up to 25MB; eligible paid browser access accepts up to 100MB.
-
2
Server-side WMA encoding
Your MKV is uploaded over HTTPS and FFmpeg extracts and decodes the audio track, encoding it as WMA. The video stream is discarded. Processing completes in seconds.
-
3
Download your WMA file
Click Download to save the .wma file. Both the original MKV and converted WMA are automatically deleted from our servers after download.
Developers: convert via API →
Frequently Asked Questions
Windows Media Player does not include MKV support by default. It requires a third-party codec pack like K-Lite. Converting the audio to WMA removes this requirement — WMA opens natively in Windows Media Player.
Yes. WMA is a lossy codec. Converting from MKV audio (AC-3, DTS, AAC, etc.) to WMA requires decoding and re-encoding, introducing a small quality reduction. At 192 kbps output, the difference is generally imperceptible.
FFmpeg extracts the default (first) audio stream. For MKV files with multiple language tracks, this is typically the primary language. The default track as flagged in the MKV container is used.
Standard WMA encodes stereo audio. WMA Pro supports multi-channel audio, but FFmpeg defaults to stereo WMA for broad compatibility. Surround audio from a 5.1 MKV will be downmixed to stereo.
Yes. VLC Media Player supports WMA on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It is the most reliable cross-platform option for WMA playback outside of Windows.
FFmpeg encodes WMA at a high quality bitrate by default, typically 192 kbps. This provides excellent audio quality for music, dialogue, and documentary content.
Yes. ChangeThisFile is completely free. No signup, no subscription, and no limits on conversions.
Yes. WMA supports Windows Media metadata including title, artist, album, genre, year, track number, and cover art. You can edit these tags in Windows Media Player or with Mp3tag.
Typically just a few seconds. FFmpeg only processes the audio stream and discards the video, making the conversion much faster than full MKV video transcoding.
Yes. All uploads use HTTPS encryption and files are deleted from our servers immediately after conversion. We never store or access your content.
Related Conversions
Related Tools
Free tools to edit, optimize, and manage your files.
Need to convert programmatically?
Use the ChangeThisFile API to convert Matroska to WMA in your app or script. Free tier included.
Ready to convert your file?
Convert Matroska to WMA instantly — free, no signup required.
Start Converting