Best Ways to Convert MP4 Videos to MP3 Audio Files

MP4 2 MP3: Best MP4 to MP3 Converters

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

The MP4 file format is probably the most commonly used video file format today, as various video recording devices use it as the default video file format. The duration of a video and the resolution in which a video was captured determine its size, so the size of an MP4 file can vary between a couple of hundred of megabytes to a couple of gigabytes. That’s why there is no reason to store huge MP4 files if you only need their audio since converting this type of file to an MP3 file format is a simple process. Read on if you would like to learn more about the best MP4 to MP3 converters you can use online or on PC and Mac computers.

Best Mac and PC-based MP4 to MP3 Converters

Both Mac and PC users have a broad range of free software products at their disposal that enable them to convert MP4 video file to MP3 audio files. So, let’s take a look at some of the easiest ways to turn MP4 to MP3 on a Mac or a PC.

1. Using Filmora to Convert MP4 to MP3 Files

Filmora is a powerful video editing software that is compatible with both macOS and Windows operating systems. Besides offering a plethora of video editing tools you can use to create green-screen videos, stabilize shaky footage captured with action cameras or make the Picture-in-Picture effect, Filmora also lets you edit audio files with ease. The built-in library of royalty-free music and audio effects enables you to create compelling soundtracks for each of your videos, while its Denoise feature helps you reduce background noise in audio files. Converting an MP4 to MP3 in Filmora is a quick process that won’t take much longer than a couple of minutes. Here’s how you can convert an MP4 to MP3 with Filmora.

After you’ve created a new project, you should head over to the editor’s Media Panel to import the MP4 video file you’d like to turn into an MP3 audio file. The file you imported into a project in Filmora will be displayed in the Media Panel and you should simply drag and drop it to the timeline. After you’ve placed the MP4 file to the video track on the timeline, you should click on the Export button.

The Export window will appear on the screen and you just have to select MP3 as the preferred output format and click on the Export button. The rendering process will start immediately, but its duration depends on the size and the quality settings you’ve chosen. Filmora lets you create high-quality MP3 audio files from MP4 video files which makes it a great choice for a broad range of users.

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Pros

• Doesn’t watermark the MP3 files even if you’re using the free version of the software
• Quick and easy MP4 to the MP3 conversion process

Cons

• Doesn’t offer the batch conversion option.

2. Converting MP4 to MP3 Files With Windows Media Player For Free

All recent versions of the Windows OS come bundled with the Windows Media Player that lets you play both video and audio files. In order to start converting MP4 to MP3 files you must first open the MP4 file with Windows Media Player, so just click on the File drop-down menu, choose the Open option and select the MP4 file you’d like to open. The video filed you opened will start playing and you have to click on the Menu button to access the player’s home screen.

Once the home screen loads, you should click on the Organize drop-down menu that is located in the upper left corner of the screen and select Options. Click on the Rip Music tab in the Options window that appeared on the screen and then use the Change icon to select the destination on your hard drive where the converted file is going to be saved.

Directly below you will be able to see the Rip Settings section of the tab, click on the Format drop-down menu and select the MP3 option. Hit the OK button to commence the conversion process, and wait for your MP4 file to be converted into an MP3 file.

Pros

• All Windows users can convert MP4 to MP3 files for free

Cons

• No control over the quality of the output file
• Rip Music tab isn’t easily accessible

3. Using the iTunes Library to Convert MP4 to MP3 Files

iTunes is probably one of the best media players ever created so it is hardly a surprise that you can use it as an MP4 to MP3 converter. You just have to add an MP4 file you’d like to convert into an MP3 to iTunes Library by clicking on the File menu and selecting Add File to Library option. Browse the computer’s hard drive until you find the file you want to add to the library and click OK to complete the process.

The MP4 file will be placed in the iTunes’ Music category, and you just have to click on it to select it. Head back to the File menu and choose the Create MP3 Version option from the Convert submenu. The conversion process will commence immediately and once it is completed you can play your freshly created MP3 file directly from iTunes.

Pros

• iTunes makes it easy to organize MP3 files
• The speedy file conversion process

Cons

• Converting large quantities of MP4 files to MP3 can be time-consuming

4. Converting MP4 to MP3 Files on Windows, macOS, and Linux with VLC Player

VLC is an open-source player that enables you to play a broad range of audio and video files. It also offers some video editing and file conversion functionality that allows its users to apply effects and filters or change the format of audio and video files.

Go to the Media menu and click on the Convert/Save option or use the Ctrl+R keyboard shortcut to bring up the Open Media window. Under File Selection, click on the Add icon and proceed to choose the MP4 file you want to convert. At the bottom of this window, you’ll be able to see the Convert/Save button, click on it and wait for the Convert window to appear on the screen. Expand the Profile drop-down menu that is located under Settings, change the output file format to MP3 and then click on the Browse icon next to Destination File to specify the destination where the new audio file is going to be saved. Click on the Start button and wait for the conversion process to be completed.

Pros

• A reliable method of converting MP4 to MP3 regardless of the OS you’re using
• MP4 to MP3 conversion can be completed in just a few steps

Cons

• Produces low-quality MP3 files

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Parental Control Software

Besides using MP4 to MP3 converters for Mac and PC computers, you can also try converting MP4 to MP3 with web-based tools. Let’s take a look at some of the best online MP4 to MP3 converters you can use for free.

1. Online Audio Converter

Online Audio Converter lets you convert more than 300 different file formats into MP3, WAV, Ogg and other audio file formats in just three easy steps. Simply upload a file, set the output format to MP3 and adjust the Quality settings. Optionally, you can click on the Advanced Settings button if you want to apply fade-in and fadeout effects, alter the Bitrate and Sample Rate or specify the number of channels. The platform also lets you edit the track info so you can add the name of the artist or the title of a song. In addition, you can also use the batch conversion option if you want to convert multiple MP4 files to MP3 at the same time. Click on the Convert button when ready to complete the file conversion process.

Pros

• Batch conversion features are available
• Users have complete control over the quality of the output file

Cons

• Uploading large MP4 files can take a while

2. Convertio

There is nothing complicated about converting MP4 to MP3 with this online platform. You can just upload an MP4 file from your computer, Dropbox or Google Drive and hit the convert button. The lite version of Convertio doesn’t let you upload files larger than 500MB and it allows you to make 25 concurrent conversions. Uploading MP4 files up to 1GB requires you to purchase the Basic subscription plan, but you can also use the Convertio platform for free if you are not planning on using it frequently to convert MP4 to MP3 files.

Pros

• Simple and efficient MP4 to MP3 converter

Cons

• Choosing a subscription is necessary if you want to convert files larger than 500MB

3. Zamzar

Zamzar is a powerful file converter that lets you convert MP4 files to a broad range of audio and image file formats. The best part is that you can complete the file conversion process effortlessly. Upload a file, select the output file format and click on the Convert Now button. However, before you can start converting MP4 to MP3 you will have to agree to the platform’s terms and conditions. The maximum size of an MP4 file, you can convert to MP3 or any other file format with the free version of the platform can’t exceed 150MB.

Pros

• Huge selection of different output formats

Cons

• Even the pro version of Zamzar doesn’t allow you to upload files larger than 400MB

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Conclusion

You don’t have to be a seasoned video editing professional to convert an MP4 file to MP3 because there are so many online and computer MP4 to MP3 converters that enable you to complete this task in just a few clicks. What is your favorite MP4 to MP3 file converter? Leave a comment and let us know.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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