Best general audio format
MP3 is the safest general audio format for uploads, email, web playback, classrooms, transcription, and sharing.
Editing and archive formats
Use WAV or AIFF for editing workflows. Use FLAC when you want a lossless archive that is smaller than raw WAV. Keep the original if quality matters.
Mobile and web formats
M4A and AAC are common in Apple and mobile workflows. OGG and OPUS are useful for web and efficient speech, but MP3 is usually safer when compatibility is uncertain.