What you need to know about converting video to audio
Converting video to audio means extracting the sound track from a video file and saving it as a standalone audio file — usually as MP3, WAV, or M4A format. You do not need special technical skills or expensive software. Most conversions take a few minutes and work on Windows, Mac, or Linux computers, as well as on phones and tablets.
The process is straightforward: you choose a video file on your device, select the audio format you want, and run the conversion. The original video file stays unchanged. The new audio file appears in your downloads folder or wherever you choose to save it.
Common reasons to convert video to audio include extracting music from a music video, saving a podcast that was uploaded as video, or turning a lecture or interview video into an audio file you can listen to while driving or exercising.
Key Takeaways
- Desktop software like Audacity, VLC, and FFmpeg can convert video to audio on Windows or Mac without paying anything.
- Online converters work in your web browser and require no installation, but they upload your file to a server, which matters if the video contains private content.
- Mobile apps like Videoder (Android) and Documents by Readdle (iOS) let you convert video to audio directly on your phone.
- MP3 is the most compatible audio format, but WAV preserves higher quality and M4A works best with Apple devices.
- The conversion speed depends on the video length and your computer's processor — a 10-minute video typically takes 2 to 5 minutes to convert.
Desktop software: free programs that work offline
Audacity is a free audio editor that can import video files and export them as audio. Download it from audacityteam.org, open the program, go to File > Import > Audio, select your video file, and then go to File > Export to save it as MP3, WAV, or another format. Audacity works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The interface takes a few minutes to learn, but the conversion itself is one click.
VLC Media Player is a free video player that also converts. Open VLC, go to Media > Convert/Save, click Add to select your video file, choose your output format from the dropdown menu, and click Convert/Save. VLC is fast and works on all operating systems. The conversion happens in the background while you use your computer for other tasks.
FFmpeg is a command-line tool that is more powerful but requires typing commands instead of clicking buttons. If you are comfortable opening a terminal or command prompt, FFmpeg is the fastest option and produces the highest quality audio. Instructions vary by operating system, so search for "FFmpeg install [your operating system]" to get your free guide.
Online converters: no installation needed
Online converters like CloudConvert, Online-Convert, and Zamzar work in your web browser. You upload your video file, choose the audio format you want, and download the result. No software to install, and they work on any device with internet access.
The trade-off is privacy: your video file is uploaded to a server you do not control. If the video contains personal or sensitive content, a desktop program is safer. Most online converters delete files after a few hours, but that is not may provide. Check the website's privacy policy before uploading.
File size limits vary. Many free online converters cap uploads at 100 MB to 500 MB, which covers most videos under 30 minutes. Larger files may require a paid account or a desktop program instead.
Mobile apps: converting on your phone or tablet
On Android, Videoder and VidMate let you download videos and convert them to audio in one step. Open the app, paste a video link or select a file from your phone, choose MP3 or another audio format, and tap convert. The audio file saves to your phone's storage.
On iPhone and iPad, Documents by Readdle includes a built-in converter. Open the app, find your video file, tap the menu, select Convert, choose audio format, and save. Converter is another iOS option that handles video-to-audio conversion directly on your device without uploading to the internet.
Mobile conversion is slower than desktop conversion because phones have less processing power. A 10-minute video may take 10 to 20 minutes to convert on a phone, compared to 2 to 5 minutes on a computer. Mobile apps are most useful for quick conversions or when you do not have access to a computer.
Choosing the right audio format
MP3 is the most widely supported format. It works on every device, every media player, and every car stereo. File sizes are smaller than WAV, so MP3 files take up less storage space. If you are unsure which format to choose, MP3 is the safe choice.
WAV preserves the original audio quality without compression, so it sounds better than MP3 if you have good speakers or headphones. WAV files are much larger — a 10-minute audio track might be 100 MB as WAV but only 10 MB as MP3. Use WAV if you plan to edit the audio further or if audio quality is your priority.
M4A is Apple's format and works best with iPhones, iPads, and iTunes. It offers better quality than MP3 at similar file sizes. If you only use Apple devices, M4A is a good choice. On Android or Windows, MP3 is more compatible.
OGG and FLAC are less common but offer high quality and smaller file sizes than WAV. They work on most modern devices but may not play on older phones or car stereos. Use these formats only if you know your devices support them.
Step-by-step conversion using VLC
VLC is the easiest option for most people because it is free, fast, and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Here is how to convert a video file to audio in VLC:
- Download and install VLC from videolan.org if you do not have it already.
- Open VLC and click Media in the top menu.
- Click Convert/Save from the dropdown menu.
- Click Add and navigate to your video file on your computer.
- Click Open to select the file.
- Click the dropdown menu next to Profile and choose an audio format — Audio - MP3 for MP3, or Audio - WAV for WAV.
- Click Browse to choose where you want to save the audio file.
- Click Start to begin the conversion.
- Wait for the progress bar to finish. The audio file appears in the folder you selected.
The entire process takes 5 to 10 minutes for a typical video. You can use your computer while VLC converts in the background.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the conversion fails or produces no sound, the video file may be corrupted or use a codec your software does not recognize. Try opening the video in a different player first to confirm it plays. If it does not, the file is damaged and cannot be converted. If it plays but conversion fails, try a different converter program — FFmpeg and VLC support more video formats than most other tools.
If the audio file is much smaller than expected or sounds distorted, the converter may have reduced the quality to save space. Check the converter's settings and look for a quality or bitrate option. Higher bitrate means better quality but larger file size. For MP3, a bitrate of 192 kbps or higher sounds good to most people.
If the conversion is very slow, your computer may be busy with other tasks. Close other programs and try again. Older computers or phones take longer to convert — a 30-minute video might take 15 to 30 minutes on an older device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert a video from YouTube or another website?
Technically yes, but it violates the website's terms of service and may break copyright law. YouTube's terms forbid downloading videos without permission. If you want the audio from a YouTube video, contact the creator and ask for permission or look for an official audio version on a music streaming service.
Will the audio quality be as good as the original video?
The audio quality depends on the original video and the format you choose. If the video has high-quality audio and you convert to WAV or a high bitrate MP3, the audio will sound nearly identical. If the original video has compressed audio, conversion cannot improve it — you get the same quality as the video had.
How much storage space does a converted audio file take?
MP3 files typically use about 1 MB per minute of audio, so a 10-minute audio file is roughly 10 MB. WAV files are about 10 times larger — 100 MB for 10 minutes. M4A and OGG fall between the two. Check your device's available storage before converting very long videos.
Can I convert multiple videos at once?
VLC and FFmpeg can process multiple files in a batch, but the process varies by program. VLC requires adding multiple files in the Convert/Save dialog. FFmpeg users can write a script to convert a folder of videos automatically. For most people, converting one video at a time is simpler and takes only a few minutes per file.
What if the video has multiple audio tracks?
Most converters extract the default audio track. If the video has multiple languages or audio options, the converter usually picks the first one. Some advanced tools like FFmpeg let you choose which track to extract, but desktop programs like Audacity and VLC do not offer this option in their basic settings.