How to extract audio from a video
Lectures, interviews and meeting recordings are often easier to use as audio. An MP3 is much smaller than the video, plays on any device, and is easy to share. Only extract audio from recordings you own or have permission to use.
Extract the audio
- Open Video to MP3.
- Add an MP4, MOV, WebM or MKV file of up to 100 MB.
- Wait for it to upload and convert, then download the MP3.
Video files are too big to process in a browser, so this tool runs on our server. The file travels over an encrypted connection and is deleted automatically after you download the result, and within an hour at the latest.
If your video is too large
Cut it down to the part you need with Trim Video first. Trimming before converting also shortens the upload and conversion time.
What to do with the audio
- Cut out silence or unwanted parts: Audio Trimmer.
- Turn the speech into text: Speech to Text.
When audio alone is enough
- Lectures and webinars you want to listen to while you travel.
- Interviews and meetings that you will turn into notes.
- Music or speech from a clip that you have the right to use.
- A voice track to send for transcription.
An MP3 is a small fraction of the size of the video it came from, so it is quicker to send and easier to store.
Get the best result
The audio you get is only as good as the audio in the video. A clear recording stays clear, and a noisy one stays noisy. Trim the video to the part you need before you convert, since a shorter file uploads faster and gives you an MP3 with no extra silence to cut out.
If something goes wrong
- The file is rejected: check that it is an MP4, MOV, WebM or MKV and under 100 MB.
- The MP3 is silent: the video may have no sound track, so play it first to check.
- The upload is slow: the file is sent to a server, so a smaller clip helps. Trim it with Trim Video.
- You need text rather than audio: send the MP3 to Speech to Text.
Use recordings responsibly
Only extract audio from recordings you made or have permission to use. Content on video sites and in films is usually protected by copyright, and a meeting recording may need the consent of everyone in it before you share it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the audio quality good?
The soundtrack is converted to a standard MP3, which is fine for speech and everyday listening.
Is there a file size limit?
Files up to 100 MB are accepted.
Is my video kept?
No. It is deleted automatically after you download the MP3, and within an hour at the most.
Does the video get changed?
No. You get a separate MP3 and your video file stays as it was.
Can I extract audio from a screen recording?
Yes, if it is saved as MP4, MOV, WebM or MKV and is under 100 MB. WebM from the Screen Recorder works.
How do I cut the MP3 afterwards?
Use the Audio Trimmer to keep only the part you want.