The simplest way to get audio from a video

You can extract the audio from a video file using free software on Windows, Mac, or Linux — you do not need to buy anything or use an online service. The process takes a few minutes and produces a standard audio file (usually MP3 or WAV) that plays on any device.

The most straightforward path is VLC Media Player, which is free, works on all operating systems, and does this job without extra steps. You open your video file in VLC, use the menu to convert it, choose your audio format, and let it run. The audio file saves to your computer when it finishes.

If you are on Windows and want something even simpler, Windows Media Player can do this too, though the steps are slightly different. On Mac, QuickTime (which comes built in) can extract audio, but you may need a free helper tool called ffmpeg to save it in the format you want.

Key Takeaways

  • VLC Media Player is free, works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and can extract audio from almost any video format without installing anything else.
  • The audio file saves to your computer as a separate file — the original video stays unchanged.
  • You choose your audio format (MP3 is most common) before the conversion starts, and the process can take several minutes depending on video length.
  • Windows Media Player and QuickTime can also do this, but VLC is the most reliable option across all computers.

Using VLC Media Player on Windows or Mac

Open VLC Media Player and go to the Media menu at the top. Click Convert / Save (on some versions it says just Convert). A window will open asking you to choose a file.

Click the Add button and navigate to your video file on your computer. Select it and click Open. You will see the file listed in the window. Now click the Convert / Save button at the bottom right of that window.

A new window appears with conversion settings. At the top, you will see a dropdown that says Profile. Click it and look for an audio format — Audio - MP3 is the most common choice and works on every device. Select it.

Below that, you will see a field that says Destination file. Click the folder icon next to it and choose where you want to save your audio file. Give it a name (VLC will add the .mp3 extension automatically). Then click Start. VLC will convert the video and save the audio — this can take a few minutes depending on how long the video is.

Using Windows Media Player

Open Windows Media Player and go to the Organize menu, then click Options. Find the Rip music tab. Make sure MP3 is selected as the format (it usually is by default).

Close that window and go back to the main player. Click File and select Open. Navigate to your video file and open it. The video will play in the player. Now go to File again and look for an option called Rip video to audio or similar (the exact wording varies by Windows version).

If you do not see that option, Windows Media Player may not support your video format. In that case, use VLC instead — it handles more file types.

Using QuickTime on Mac

QuickTime can open video files, but extracting audio requires a command-line tool called ffmpeg, which is free but takes a few extra steps to set up. If you want to avoid the command line, use VLC instead — it works the same way on Mac as it does on Windows.

If you want to try QuickTime, open the video in QuickTime Player. Go to File and select Export As. In the dropdown that says Format, look for an audio option like Audio Only or MP3. If you see one, select it, choose where to save the file, and click Save.

If QuickTime does not offer an audio-only export option, read and install ffmpeg (instructions are available on the ffmpeg website). Once installed, you can use it from the Terminal app to convert your video to audio in one command.

Understanding video and audio file formats

A video file contains two separate streams of information: the picture (video) and the sound (audio). When you extract audio, you are removing the video stream and keeping only the sound, then saving it in an audio-only format.

Common audio formats include MP3 (plays on almost everything), WAV (higher quality but larger file size), AAC (used by Apple devices), and FLAC (lossless, meaning no quality loss, but not all devices support it). MP3 is the safest choice because it works on phones, computers, cars, and speakers without any compatibility issues.

The original video file does not change — extraction creates a new, separate audio file. You can delete the video afterward if you only need the audio, or keep both.

Why the audio quality might not match the video

The audio in your video file was already compressed when the video was created. Extracting it does not improve or worsen the quality — you get exactly what was recorded. If the audio sounds muffled or low-quality, that is how it was in the original video.

If you are converting to MP3, the conversion process compresses the audio slightly to make the file smaller. This is usually not noticeable unless the original audio was very high quality. If you want to preserve maximum quality, choose WAV or FLAC format instead, though the file will be much larger.

What to do if the conversion fails or takes too long

If VLC starts converting and then stops with an error, the video file may be corrupted or in a format VLC does not recognize. Try opening the video in VLC to play it first — if it plays, the file is fine and the error is usually temporary. Close VLC completely and try again.

If the conversion is taking much longer than expected, it is usually still running. A two-hour video can take 10 to 30 minutes to convert depending on your computer speed. Let it finish before closing the program.

If you are converting a very large video file and your computer is running slowly, close other programs to free up memory. VLC will convert faster with more resources available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extract audio from a video on my phone?

Yes, but it depends on your phone type. On Android, apps like VidToMP3 or MediaConverter can do this. On iPhone, you can use the Shortcuts app with a pre-built audio extraction shortcut, or use an online converter (though uploading to a website carries privacy risks). Desktop software like VLC is more reliable if you have access to a computer.

Will extracting audio delete the video file?

No. The extraction process creates a new audio file and leaves your original video untouched. You can delete the video afterward if you want, but the software does not do it automatically.

What if my video file is in a format I have never heard of?

VLC handles nearly all video formats, including uncommon ones. If VLC can play the video, it can extract the audio. If VLC cannot open the file at all, the file may be corrupted or encrypted. Try opening it in a web browser or another video player first to confirm it works.

Is there a difference between extracting audio and recording audio while the video plays?

Yes. Extracting pulls the audio that is already in the file, so you get the exact original sound. Recording while it plays captures audio through your speakers or microphone, which can pick up background noise and is lower quality. Extraction is always better if the file contains the audio you need.

Can I extract audio from a video I found online?

Technically yes, but you should only do this if you have permission from the copyright holder. Extracting audio from someone else's video without permission may violate copyright law. If the video is your own or you have written permission, extraction is fine.