MP4 to MP3: keep just the sound
An MP4 holds both picture and sound. Converting it to MP3 keeps only the audio, in the format every phone, car stereo and music player supports, and the file becomes much smaller. Pick a bitrate: 192 kbps sounds great for music, 64 kbps is enough for speech.
Key facts
- MP3 keeps only the sound; the picture is left out, so the file is a fraction of the MP4's size.
- Bitrates from 64 to 320 kbps; 192 kbps is the recommended balance of quality and size.
- Trim by start and end time to keep just one song, answer or chapter.
- Video files up to 2 GB are converted in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Where each format plays
| Bitrate | Best for | About 1 minute takes |
|---|---|---|
| 320 kbps | Music, highest quality | 2.4 MB |
| 192 kbps | Music, recommended | 1.4 MB |
| 128 kbps | Music on the go, smaller files | 1 MB |
| 64 kbps | Speech: lectures, podcasts, voice | 0.5 MB |
When people convert
- Listening to a recorded lecture or webinar on the go.
- Turning a video interview into a podcast episode.
- Saving the soundtrack of your own concert or event video.
- Sending a voice message that was recorded as a video.
How to convert MP4 to MP3
- Drop your MP4 file on the box above or click the box to choose it.
- MP3 is already selected. Pick a quality, and trim the start or end if you need to.
- Click Convert and watch the progress bar. Files that need no re-encoding are ready in seconds.
- Click Download to save the MP3 file.
Why convert MP4 to MP3?
MP4 is the most widely supported video format. With H.264 video and AAC sound it plays on every phone, computer, smart TV and website, and every social network accepts it.
MP3 is the most compatible audio format: every phone, car stereo, speaker and app plays it. Its lossy compression makes files about a tenth of the size of a WAV.
Choose MP3 when you want sound that plays everywhere in a small file.
MP4 and MP3 at a glance
| Format | MP4 | MP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Video | Audio |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Typical codecs | H.264 / H.265 + AAC | MP3 |
| Best for | video that plays on every device | sound that plays everywhere |
| Opens in | Every device and app | Every device and app |
Good to know
- Only the sound is kept: the video track is dropped, which is why the MP3 file is much smaller.
Questions about converting MP4 to MP3
Which MP3 bitrate should I choose?
192 kbps for music: it sounds the same as the original to most listeners. 128 kbps saves space, 320 kbps is the highest MP3 quality, and 64 kbps is plenty for speech such as lectures or podcasts.
Can I convert only part of the video?
Yes. Enter a start and end time under Trim and only that part becomes an MP3, for example one song from a concert video.
Will the MP3 sound worse than the video?
MP3 is compressed, but at 192 kbps or more the difference is very hard to hear. The audio can't sound better than the sound in the original video.
Is the MP4 to MP3 converter free?
Yes. It is free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no limit on how many files you convert.
Is my file uploaded?
No. Your browser reads and converts the file on your own device; nothing is sent to 4Dev or anyone else.
Is there a size limit?
Files can be up to 2 GB. The result is built in your device's memory, so very large files are better converted on a computer than on a phone.
Will converting to MP3 reduce quality?
MP3 is lossy, so it drops detail that is mostly inaudible or invisible. The default settings are a good balance; choose a higher quality or bitrate for archiving.
Which browsers can do this?
Current Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox on a computer, and Chrome or Safari on a phone. The format list only offers what your browser can actually create.
How do I get my result?
Use the tool on this page. Your result appears here; no email delivery is required.