Extract the audio from a video
Upload the video, pick an audio format and bitrate, and VideoBB writes the first audio track as a standalone file. Choose MP3 for compatibility, M4A for Apple devices, WAV for editing and Opus for the smallest good-sounding file.
Free with a VideoBB account
Sign in with Google to use the extract audio. Your uploads and results stay private to you and are deleted after 24 hours.
How it works
Podcasts recorded on video, lectures, interviews and music performances often need to live as audio too. Extracting the track is quicker and cleaner than screen-recording the sound, and it keeps the original timing.
Only rip audio you have the right to use. The copyright page explains what that means on VideoBB.
Options at a glance
| Format | Codec | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| MP3 | LAME MP3 | Any player, podcasts |
| M4A | AAC | Apple devices, smaller than MP3 at the same quality |
| WAV | PCM 16-bit | Editing; uncompressed and large |
| Opus | Opus | Voice and web; excellent at low bitrates |
Step by step
Upload
Drop the video.
Choose
Pick the format and bitrate.
Extract
Takes seconds for most files.
Download
Save the audio file.
When to extract audio from a video
Extract the audio when the sound is the part you need. A talk, an interview or a live set often works just as well without the picture. An audio file is also far smaller than the video it came from.
Need the opposite, the picture with no sound? Use the tool that removes audio from video. Only want the sound from one part? Cut that part out first, then extract from the shorter file, because this tool always takes the full track.
Choosing the right bitrate
Match the bitrate to what you recorded. Speech needs far less than music. 96 or 128 kbps is plenty for a voice, while 192 kbps or more suits music.
Higher is not always better. The tool always re-encodes the sound, so it cannot add detail the video never had. A source with 128 kbps audio gains nothing at 320 kbps.
M4A goes up to 256 kbps, because the AAC encoder cannot use more than that. MP3 and Opus go up to 320 kbps. MP3 and Opus files are stereo at most, so 5.1 surround sound is mixed down to stereo; M4A and WAV keep every channel.
WAV ignores the bitrate. It stores 16-bit sound with no compression, which comes to about 10 to 12 MB for each minute of stereo audio.
How big the audio file will be
For MP3, M4A and Opus, the size follows from the bitrate. Silence and very simple sounds can come out a little smaller.
| Bitrate | Size per minute | Size per hour |
|---|---|---|
| 96 kbps | 0.7 MB | 43 MB |
| 128 kbps | 1.0 MB | 58 MB |
| 192 kbps | 1.4 MB | 86 MB |
| 256 kbps | 1.9 MB | 115 MB |
| 320 kbps | 2.4 MB | 144 MB |
Common reasons to pull audio from video
People extract audio for listening, for publishing and for editing.
Turning a video podcast into an audio episode
Record once on camera, then extract an MP3 for podcast apps. MP3 at 128 kbps is a common choice for spoken shows and plays on every device.
Saving a lecture or interview to listen to later
Opus at 96 kbps keeps speech clear in a very small file. It suits long talks on a phone that is short on space.
Bringing sound into an editing app
WAV opens in almost every audio and video editor. It adds no further quality loss while you work. Edit in WAV, then export MP3 or M4A at the end.
Fixing common audio extraction problems
A failed or odd result usually has one of these causes.
The job says the video has no audio
Some screen recordings and exported clips have no sound track at all. The tool stops instead of giving you a silent file. Play the original with the volume up to check.
The Opus file will not open
Opus files use the .opus extension, and some older players and car systems do not support them. Run the job again with MP3 for the widest support.
The wrong language came out
The tool takes the first audio track. If a file has several languages, the one you want may be second. Re-save the file with the right track first in a desktop app that lets you choose tracks.
Rights, privacy and file retention
Only extract audio you own or have permission to use. Our copyright and DMCA help explains how VideoBB handles claims. Audio files you make are private to you and are deleted after 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Which bitrate should I use?
128 kbps is fine for speech, 192 kbps for most music in MP3, and 128 kbps Opus sounds as good as much higher MP3 bitrates. WAV ignores the bitrate setting.
What if the video has several audio tracks?
The first track is extracted. To get a different track, re-save the video with that track first in a desktop app, then upload it here.
What if the video has no sound?
The job stops with a clear message instead of producing a silent file.
Is M4A or MP3 better?
At the same bitrate, M4A (AAC) usually sounds a little better than MP3. MP3 still plays on more old devices, so pick it when you are unsure.
Can I publish the audio to my channel?
No. Only video files can go to a channel. Download the audio and use it wherever you need it.
Does extracting audio change the timing?
No. The audio keeps its full length and timing, so it lines up with the original video if you put them back together.
Related guides
More video tools
All toolsChange a video's format: MP4, WebM, MKV, MOV or AVI.
Video compressorShrink a video to a quality level or an exact target size.
Trim videoCut a clip between two timestamps, instantly or frame-accurately.
Resize videoChange resolution from 4K down to 144p, keeping the aspect ratio.
Video to GIFTurn up to 30 seconds of video into a looping GIF.
Mute videoRemove the audio track without re-encoding the picture.
Rotate or flip videoFix sideways or upside-down footage, or mirror it.