How to extract audio from a video (YouTube, MP4, MOV)
Want to keep only the audio from a video to listen on your phone, in the car, or share on WhatsApp? Here’s a straight guide: go from Video to MP3 online with our tool, plus simple options for videos you already have in MP4/MOV.
YouTube → MP3 (step by step)
- Open the Video to MP3 tool.
- Upload your video or paste the YouTube video URL (for example,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...). - Choose the output quality: 192k (high), 128k (standard), or 64k (lightweight).
- Click Convert and download your MP3 file.
Which quality (kbps) to choose?
Quick size rule: MB/min ≈ (kbps × 60) / 8 / 1000. Examples (CBR):
| Use | Recommended bitrate | MB/min approx. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music | 128/192 kbps | ~1.2–1.4 MB | Good overall fidelity. |
| Talks / classes | 64–128 kbps | ~0.7–1.0 MB | Clear voice with moderate size. |
| Max savings | 64 kbps | ~0.48 MB | Ideal for WhatsApp/email. |
Extract audio from a local video (MP4/MOV)
If the video is already on your device (for example, an MP4 or MOV from your phone), here are simple options to get the audio:
- Editing apps (mobile/PC): many editors let you export audio only (WAV/M4A/MP3). Then you can compress the MP3 if you want a smaller file.
- Players like VLC (PC/Mac): they offer a Convert/Save option to extract audio. Export to MP3 and, if it’s heavy, run it through MP3 → lighter MP3.
- Transcription (if you need text): upload the resulting audio to Transcribe audio to text.
Tip: for voice, try mono 64–128 kbps. If there’s music, go to 128/192 kbps.
🔁 Is your final MP3 too big?
MP3 → lighter MP3Lower the bitrate while keeping good intelligibility.
Tips & common mistakes
- Choose the right bitrate: clear voice with 64–128 kbps; music, 128/192 kbps.
- Avoid many re-encodes (MP3 → MP3 → MP3). Do a single final pass.
- Mono for voice saves space without losing clarity.
- Normalize volume after converting if the audio is quiet, and export only once.
Legal note & responsible use
Only extract audio from videos you own, that are in the public domain, or that are under a license allowing it. Always respect copyright and each platform’s terms of use.
Related
- Video → MP3 (tool)
- Guide: convert YouTube to MP3
- Convert audio to MP3 (general)
- Compress MP3 (lower bitrate)
- OPUS/OGG → MP3
- M4A (iPhone) → MP3
Frequently asked questions
Which quality should I choose for talks/lectures?
For voice, 64–128 kbps (mono) is usually perfect: clear and lightweight.
And for music?
128/192 kbps (stereo). If you want higher fidelity in MP3, go up to 192 kbps.
Can I extract audio from a phone MP4?
Yes. Use an editor with “export audio” or VLC on PC/Mac. Then, if it’s too large, recompress to 64–128 kbps if it’s voice.
Are my files saved?
Files are processed for conversion and automatically deleted every 24 hours.
Choose 64k, 128k, or 192k based on your use