How Do I Convert Mp4 To Mp3 For Free
Iberio Ralda
How to Convert MP4 to MP3 for Free
If you have some MP4 video files that you want to extract the audio from, you might be wondering how to convert MP4 to MP3 for free. MP3 is a popular audio format that can be played on most devices and platforms. MP4 is a video format that can contain both video and audio streams, but sometimes you only need the audio part.
Fortunately, there are many ways to convert MP4 to MP3 for free, both online and offline. In this article, we will show you 8 different methods to do so, and compare their pros and cons. By the end of this article, you will be able to choose the best MP4 to MP3 converter for your needs.
Method 1: Use an Online Converter
One of the easiest ways to convert MP4 to MP3 for free is to use an online converter. There are many websites that offer this service, such as FreeConvert.com, Convertio.co, and Zamzar.com. All you need to do is upload your MP4 file, choose MP3 as the output format, and click convert. Then you can download your converted MP3 file or save it to your cloud storage.
The advantages of using an online converter are:
- You don't need to install any software on your computer.
- You can access it from any device and browser.
- You can convert multiple files at once (depending on the website).
The disadvantages of using an online converter are:
- You need a stable internet connection.
- You may have to wait for a long time if the file is large or the server is busy.
- You may encounter some quality loss or file size limit (depending on the website).
- You may risk exposing your personal data or getting malware (depending on the website).
Method 2: Use Windows Media Player
If you want to convert MP4 to MP3 without downloading, you can use Windows Media Player. It is a pre-installed program that can help you turn MP4 to MP3 on Windows for free. Here are the steps:
- Open Windows Media Player and click "File" > "Open" to import your MP4 file.
- Click "Organize" > "Options" > "Rip Music" and choose "MP3" as the format under "Rip settings". You can also adjust the audio quality and destination folder.
- Click "OK" and then click "Rip CD" at the top of the window. Your MP4 file will be converted to MP3 and saved in the folder you specified.
The advantages of using Windows Media Player are:
- You don't need to download or install any additional software.
- You can control the audio quality and output location.
The disadvantages of using Windows Media Player are:
- You can only convert one file at a time.
- You may lose some metadata or album art during the conversion.
- You may encounter some compatibility issues with some MP4 files.
Method 3: Use Mac Music App
If you are a Mac user, you can also use the built-in Music app (formerly iTunes) to convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac for free. The Music app can import and play MP4 video files, and also convert them to MP3 audio files. Here are the steps:
- Open the Music app on your Mac and go to "Music" > "Preferences" > "Files".
- Click "Import Settings" and choose "MP3 Encoder" from the "Import Using" menu. You can also adjust the audio quality and other settings.
- Click "OK" to save the settings and close the window.
- Add your MP4 file to the Music app by dragging and dropping it or using the "File" > "Add to Library" option.
- Select the MP4 file in your library and go to "File" > "Convert" > "Create MP3 Version". The Music app will create a copy of the MP4 file in MP3 format.
- Right-click the MP3 file in your library and choose "Show in Finder" to locate it on your Mac.
The advantages of using the Music app are:
- You don't need to download or install any additional software.
- You can control the audio quality and other settings.
- You can keep both the original MP4 file and the converted MP3 file in your library.
The disadvantages of using the Music app are:
- You can only convert one file at a time.
- You may lose some metadata or album art during the conversion.
- You may encounter some compatibility issues with some MP4 files.
Method 4: Use VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a free and open-source media player that can play almost any video and audio format. It can also be used as a video converter to convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac for free. Here are the steps:
- Download and install VLC Media Player on your Mac from its official website.
- Open VLC Media Player and go to "File" > "Convert/Stream..." or use the shortcut Command + S.
- Click "Open media..." to import your MP4 file or simply drag and drop it into the window.
- Choose "Audio - MP3" from the "Choose Profile" menu. You can also click on the gear icon to customize the audio settings.
- Click "Save as File" and choose a destination folder and a file name for your converted MP3 file.
- Click "Save" and then click "Go". VLC Media Player will start converting your MP4 file to MP3 on Mac.
The advantages of using VLC Media Player are:
- You can convert multiple files at once by using a playlist.
- You can customize the audio settings according to your preferences.
- You can also use VLC Media Player to play, edit, stream, and record media files.
The disadvantages of using VLC Media Player are:
- You may experience some quality loss or errors during the conversion.
- You may find the interface and options confusing or complicated.