How to Extract Audio from Video (5 Easy Methods)

So you've got a video file and you only need the audio. Maybe it's a music video, a lecture recording, a podcast interview, or just a clip with great background music. Whatever the reason, extracting audio from video is something millions of people search for every day.

Good news: it's easier than you think. This guide covers five different ways to extract audio from any video file, whether you're on a computer, phone, or tablet.

Why Extract Audio from Video?

Before jumping into the how-to, here are some common reasons people need this:

• Save music from YouTube videos or music videos you've downloaded
• Create podcasts from video interviews or webinars
• Get audio from screen recordings or tutorials
• Make ringtones from video clips
• Reduce file size when you only need the sound
• Transcribe content more easily with audio-only files

Whatever your reason, let's get that audio extracted.

Method 1: Use a Free Online Converter (Fastest)

The quickest way to extract audio from video is using an online tool. No software to install, works on any device.

How to do it:

1. Go to freevideotoaudio.com
2. Drop your video file or click to upload
3. Choose your audio format (MP3, WAV, AAC, etc.)
4. Optionally trim the audio to a specific section
5. Click Convert and download your audio file

Pros:

• Works in seconds
• No installation needed
• Files stay on your device (browser-based processing)
• Free and unlimited

Cons:

• Needs internet connection
• File size limits on some tools (ours supports up to 500MB)

Best for: Quick one-off conversions, when you're on someone else's computer, or when you don't want to install software.

Method 2: VLC Media Player (Free Desktop Software)

VLC isn't just a video player—it can convert files too. If you already have VLC installed, this is a solid option.

Steps for Windows/Mac:

1. Open VLC and go to Media > Convert/Save (or File > Convert/Stream on Mac)
2. Click Add and select your video file
3. Click Convert/Save
4. Under Profile, select an audio format like MP3 or FLAC
5. Choose where to save the file
6. Click Start

Pros:

• Completely free
• Works offline
• Handles most video formats
• Available on Windows, Mac, Linux

Cons:

• Interface is confusing for new users
• Slower than dedicated converters
• No batch processing

Best for: Users who already have VLC and prefer desktop software.

Method 3: FFmpeg (For Tech-Savvy Users)

FFmpeg is the Swiss Army knife of video processing. It's what many online tools use behind the scenes. If you're comfortable with command line, it's incredibly powerful.

Basic command to extract audio:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vn -acodec mp3 output.mp3

Breaking it down:

• -i input.mp4 — your video file
• -vn — no video (audio only)
• -acodec mp3 — encode as MP3
• output.mp3 — your output file

Extract audio without re-encoding (fastest):

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vn -acodec copy output.aac

This copies the original audio stream without quality loss.

Pros:

• Maximum control over output
• Fastest processing
• Batch processing possible
• Free and open source

Cons:

• Requires command line knowledge
• No graphical interface
• Setup can be tricky

Best for: Developers, video professionals, or anyone comfortable with terminal commands.

Method 4: Mobile Apps (iPhone & Android)

Need to extract audio on your phone? There are apps for that.

For iPhone:

• Shortcuts app — Create a shortcut to extract audio using built-in tools
• Media Converter — Simple app with clean interface
• Video to MP3 — Straightforward and free

For Android:

• Video to MP3 Converter — Popular and well-reviewed
• Timbre — Feature-rich audio/video editor
• MP3 Video Converter — Simple and fast

Alternative: Use Mobile Browser

Most modern phones can run browser-based converters. Just visit freevideotoaudio.com in Chrome or Safari, and extract audio directly without installing an app.

Pros:

• Work anywhere
• No computer needed

Cons:

• Apps may have ads
• Some require payment for full features
• Processing can be slower on older phones

Best for: When you're away from your computer or need to convert files on the go.

Method 5: Adobe Premiere / Final Cut Pro (Professional)

If you're already using professional video editing software, extracting audio is built in.

In Adobe Premiere Pro:

1. Import your video
2. Right-click the clip and select Unlink
3. Select just the audio
4. Go to File > Export > Media
5. Choose an audio format and export

In Final Cut Pro:

1. Import your video
2. Select the clip in the timeline
3. Go to File > Share > Master File
4. Change the format to audio only (like AAC or MP3)
5. Export

Pros:

• Maximum quality control
• Integrate into existing workflow
• Advanced editing options

Cons:

• Expensive software (not worth buying just for this)
• Overkill for simple extraction

Best for: Video professionals who already use these tools.

Which Method Should You Choose?

Here's a quick decision guide:

For most people, a free online converter is the fastest and easiest option. No downloads, no account creation, no hassle.

Tips for Better Audio Quality

Whichever method you choose, keep these tips in mind:

Choose the right format:

• MP3 — Universal compatibility, good quality, small files
• WAV — Best quality, large files, for editing
• AAC — Better than MP3 at same size, great for Apple devices
• FLAC — Lossless quality, medium files, for archiving

Mind the bit rate:

• 128 kbps — Fine for speech/podcasts
• 192 kbps — Good for general music
• 256-320 kbps — Excellent quality, recommended for music

Don't re-encode unnecessarily:

If you just need to extract the existing audio track, copying without re-encoding (like the FFmpeg -acodec copy command) preserves original quality.

Common Issues and Fixes

"The audio is out of sync"

This usually happens with corrupted source files. Try a different converter or re-download the video.

"The file won't upload"

Check file size limits. If your video is huge, consider trimming it first or using desktop software.

"Audio quality is poor"

Your source video might have low-quality audio to begin with. Extracting can't improve quality—you get what the video has.

"Format not supported"

Try converting the video to MP4 first, then extract audio. MP4 is the most universally supported format.

Conclusion

Extracting audio from video takes just a few clicks with the right tool. For most people, an online converter like ours is the fastest option—no software, no signup, just drag, drop, and download.

If you need offline capability or more control, VLC and FFmpeg are excellent free options. And if you're on mobile, your phone's browser works great for quick conversions.

Got a video that needs its audio extracted? Try our free converter and get your MP3 in seconds.