MP4 to MP3 saves the sound track of an MP4 video as an MP3 file you can play in any music app, in the car or on an old MP3 player. Drop the MP4, choose the quality and download the MP3; the conversion runs in your browser, so the video stays on your device.
Typical uses
| From an MP4 of | You get |
|---|---|
| A lecture or webinar | Audio to listen to on the go |
| A recorded song or concert | A track for your music library |
| A voice memo filmed on a phone | A small audio file to share |
| A meeting recording | Audio to transcribe or archive |
How to convert MP4 to MP3
- Click Choose a video and drop the MP4.
- Leave Format on MP3 and pick a Quality.
- Click Extract audio, play the result in the page, then Download.
Which quality to choose
| Quality | Good for | Size per minute | 60-minute file |
|---|---|---|---|
| 128 kbit/s | Speech, podcasts, lectures | About 1 MB | About 58 MB |
| 192 kbit/s | Music, mixed content | About 1.4 MB | About 86 MB |
| 320 kbit/s | Music you care about | About 2.4 MB | About 144 MB |
Choosing 320 kbit/s does not add detail that was not there; it only keeps the MP3 as close as possible to the source. For speech, 128 kbit/s sounds the same as higher settings and keeps a long lecture small enough to put on a phone.
Why MP3 and not the MP4 itself
Video players can play the sound of an MP4, but an MP3 is easier to live with:
- It is much smaller than the video, often a tenth of the size or less.
- Car stereos, older MP3 players and many smart speakers play MP3 but not MP4.
- Music apps file it as a track with the right length, so you can add it to a playlist.
Tips
- Need a smaller file at the same quality? Switch Format to M4A. It plays on all current phones and computers.
- To keep only one song or one answer, cut the MP3 afterwards with Audio Cutter.
- For a lecture or meeting, send the MP3 to Audio to Text for a transcript.