How to convert a .CDA file online
Three steps, all tab.
Open your file
Drop your .CDA file and every video, audio and subtitle track inside is listed with its codec, resolution, frame rate and language.
Preview
See frames from across your .CDA file before you convert, even when your browser can't play the codec inside.
Convert
Pick MP4, WEBM or MP3, or repack to MKV without re-encoding. Play the result right here, then download it.
What is a .CDA file?
Everything worth knowing about CD Audio Track shortcut (.cda).
A CDA file is not music. It is a tiny 44-byte shortcut Windows creates for each track on an audio CD. The actual audio stays on the physical disc. Copying CDA files to your hard drive copies only the pointers, so they will not play without the disc. To keep the music, rip the CD to MP3, WAV, or FLAC with Windows Media Player, iTunes, or VLC.
Programs that open .CDA files
- Windows
- VLC media player, Windows Media Player, Exact Audio Copy (EAC), iTunes / Apple Music
- macOS
- VLC media player, Apple Music (iTunes), XLD (X Lossless Decoder)
- Linux
- VLC media player, Asunder / abcde
| Full name | CD Audio Track shortcut (.cda) |
|---|---|
| Developer | Microsoft (Windows CD Audio representation) |
| First released | Windows 95-era; how Windows surfaces Red Book CD audio tracks in Explorer |
| Category | Audio & Video |
| MIME type | application/x-cdf |
| Signature | 52 49 46 46 ("RIFF" header, followed by the "CDDA" form type) |
Related viewers
Other free tools to open and preview your files.
Is my .CDA file uploaded to a server?
No. Your .CDA file is converted for you. The converted file is created in memory,.
Why is conversion slower than desktop software?
Browsers give web pages a single CPU core for this kind of work and no hardware video encoder. Short clips convert in seconds; for long 4K films a desktop app like HandBrake is faster. Use Start and Length to convert just the part you need.
Which output format should I pick?
MP4 plays on every phone, TV and browser. WEBM is an open format that's great for the web. MP3 keeps only the sound. MKV (no re-encode) is instant and lossless, but only changes the container.
Can I keep all audio tracks and subtitles?
The MKV (no re-encode) option copies every track as-is. MP4 and WEBM keep the first video and audio track, which is what most players use.
Why can't some files be converted?
Files protected with DRM (for example purchased iTunes .m4p songs or some .wmv rentals) are encrypted. We can show what's inside, but nobody can convert them without the key.
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