How to extract audio from a video (MP3, M4A or WAV)
Updated 30 September 2026
Tool for this guide: Video to MP3
Short answer: open video to MP3, add the video, choose MP3 and download. The audio track is copied out of the video, so you keep the sound and drop the picture.
Which audio format should you choose?
| Format | Best for | Size for 1 minute | Plays on |
|---|---|---|---|
| MP3 | Music, talks, podcasts, sharing | about 1 to 2.5 MB | Everything |
| M4A (AAC) | iPhone, keeping the original quality | about 1 to 2 MB | Almost everything |
| WAV | Editing in an audio app | about 10 MB | Everything, but large |
Most videos already store their sound as AAC, the same codec M4A uses, so M4A is a good match for quality. MP3 is the safest choice when you don't know where the file will be played.
Step by step
- Open video to MP3.
- Add one or more videos: MP4, MOV, MKV, WebM and most phone recordings work.
- Pick MP3, M4A or WAV.
- Press Extract audio and download the files.
The conversion runs in your browser, so the video isn't uploaded. Large or long videos take longer on older phones; a computer is faster.
Only need part of the sound?
Trim the video first to the section you want, or extract the full track and then use trim audio to cut it.
Getting the audio from an online video
If the video is a public post on Instagram, Facebook, X or another supported site, the video downloader can save it straight to MP3. Only download content you made or have permission to use.
Common problems
- The MP3 is silent. The video has no audio track, or the sound was muted on the platform before it was saved.
- The file is bigger than expected. WAV is uncompressed. Choose MP3 or M4A for sharing.
- It won't play in my car or old player. Use MP3; some older devices can't read M4A.
To change the format of an audio file you already have, use the audio converter.