The fastest way depends on what device you're using

You can extract audio from a video on Windows using free software like Audacity or VLC Media Player. On Mac, QuickTime (built in) can do it, or you can use Audacity the same way. On phone or tablet, dedicated apps like Video to MP3 (Android) or Documents by Readdle (iPhone) handle the conversion. The method you choose depends on whether you want to keep the original video, what audio format you need, and whether you're willing to install software.

The simplest route for most people is a web-based converter — you upload the video file, choose your audio format (usually MP3), and download the result. These work on any device with a browser and require no installation. The trade-off is that you're uploading your file to someone else's server, which matters if the video contains private or sensitive content.

Key Takeaways

  • VLC Media Player on Windows and Mac can convert video to audio without installing additional software beyond what you may already have.
  • Audacity is free, works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and lets you edit the audio after extraction if you need to trim or adjust it.
  • Web-based converters require no installation but upload your file to an external server, so avoid them for private videos.
  • Phone apps like Video to MP3 (Android) and Documents by Readdle (iPhone) extract audio directly on your device without uploading.

Using VLC Media Player on Windows or Mac

VLC is a free video player that most people already have installed. Open VLC, go to the Media menu, and select Convert/Save. Click the Add button, navigate to your video file, and open it. Then click Convert/Save at the bottom right.

A new window opens with a dropdown menu that says Profile. Click the dropdown and select Audio - MP3 (or another audio format if you prefer). Choose where you want to save the file by clicking the folder icon next to the destination field. Click Start, and VLC will extract the audio and save it as an MP3 file in the location you chose. The time this takes depends on the video length — a 10-minute video usually takes a few minutes.

Using Audacity on Windows, Mac, or Linux

Audacity is a free audio editor that can import video files and extract their audio. Download it from audacityteam.org, install it, and open the program. Go to File > Open and select your video file. Audacity will extract the audio and display it as a waveform on the screen.

Once the audio is loaded, you can edit it if needed — trim the beginning or end, adjust volume, or remove sections. When you're done, go to File > Export and choose your format (MP3, WAV, or others). Name the file, pick where to save it, and click Export. Audacity will ask you to confirm the export settings; the defaults work fine for most uses.

Using QuickTime on Mac

If you're on Mac and want the simplest option, QuickTime (built into macOS) can extract audio without any additional software. Open QuickTime, go to File > Open File, and select your video. Once it opens, go to File > Export As.

A dropdown menu appears asking what format to export. Select Audio Only. Choose MP3 or another audio format from the next dropdown, name your file, pick a location to save it, and click Save. QuickTime will extract and save the audio. This method is faster than Audacity if you don't need to edit the audio.

Using a web-based converter

If you don't want to install software, sites like CloudConvert, Online-Convert, or Zamzar let you upload a video and download the audio. Go to the site, click the upload button, select your video file, choose MP3 (or another format) as the output, and click Convert. Once the conversion finishes, download the audio file.

The advantage is speed and simplicity — no installation, no learning a new interface. The disadvantage is that your video file is uploaded to someone else's server. If the video contains personal, confidential, or copyrighted content you don't want shared, use a desktop method instead. Also check the site's file size limit; some free converters cap uploads at 500 MB or 1 GB.

Extracting audio on Android phones

On Android, the app Video to MP3 (by Denys Chernyshov) is straightforward. Install it from the Google Play Store, open it, and tap the plus icon. Select your video file from your phone's storage. The app will extract the audio and save it as an MP3 file in your phone's music folder. No uploading, no web browser needed.

If you prefer a different app, VidToMP3 and Media Converter work similarly. All three are free and handle the conversion on your device rather than sending files to a server.

Extracting audio on iPhone or iPad

iPhone doesn't have a built-in audio extraction tool, but Documents by Readdle (free app) can do it. Install Documents, open it, and tap the plus icon. Navigate to your video file, open it, and Documents will show conversion options. Select Audio and choose MP3. The app extracts the audio and saves it to your Files app, where you can move it to your music library or share it.

Another option is Video Converter by Readdle (a different app from the same company), which works the same way. Both handle the conversion on your device without uploading.

Choosing a file format for your audio

MP3 is the most common choice because it plays on nearly every device and app. If you're extracting audio for a podcast or music project, MP3 works fine. If you need higher quality (for professional audio editing), choose WAV or FLAC instead — these are larger files but preserve more detail. If you're extracting audio for a video project and want to re-import it later, WAV is safer because it doesn't compress the audio.

Most extraction tools default to MP3, so you only need to change the format if you have a specific reason. Audacity and VLC both let you pick the format before you export, while web converters usually offer a dropdown menu to choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extract audio from a video on my phone without uploading it?

Yes. On Android, use Video to MP3 or VidToMP3. On iPhone, use Documents by Readdle or Video Converter. All three extract audio on your device without sending files to a server. Desktop methods like VLC and Audacity also work locally if you transfer the video file to your computer first.

What if the video file is very large?

Desktop software like VLC and Audacity handle large files without issue. Web converters often have size limits (500 MB to 2 GB depending on the site). If your video is larger than the converter's limit, use VLC or Audacity instead.

Will extracting audio affect the original video file?

No. Extraction creates a new audio file and leaves the original video untouched. You'll have both files afterward.

Can I extract audio from a video that's protected or encrypted?

Most extraction tools cannot bypass copy protection or DRM (digital rights management). If a video is protected, the extraction software will either refuse to open it or extract only unprotected content. Check whether you have permission to extract audio from the video before attempting it.

What's the difference between MP3 and WAV?

MP3 is compressed, so the file is smaller and plays on any device. WAV is uncompressed and larger but preserves all the audio detail. For casual listening, MP3 is fine. For editing or professional work, WAV is better.