How to save only the audio as MP3
For music, podcasts, lectures and talks you often want just the sound. Both the online downloader and the extension can give you an MP3 or M4A directly, without downloading the video first.
Way 1: paste the link
- Copy the link of the video or track. For music sites, see the SoundCloud downloader, the Bandcamp downloader or the Mixcloud downloader. For a video, any site page works, for example the TikTok downloader for a sound you heard in a clip.
- Paste it into the box and press Find media.
- In the results, choose "Audio only (MP3)" or M4A, then press Download.
The server extracts the sound and sends you one audio file. For very long recordings, the website handles up to three hours; the extension has no limit.
Way 2: the Chrome extension
1. Open the video and click the icon
Open the page, play the video for a moment, then click the extension icon. The video appears in the popup.
2. Switch the card to audio
Press the three dots on the video card. Choose "Audio only", then MP3 or M4A. The quality picker now lists the audio qualities the site offers.
3. Press Download
The audio is saved to your Downloads folder. MP3 plays everywhere. M4A is a little smaller at the same quality and plays on Apple devices, Android and Windows.
MP3 or M4A?
| Format | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MP3 | Old car stereos, any player, sharing with others | Universal. Slightly larger at the same quality. |
| M4A (AAC) | Phones and computers, smaller files | Usually the site's own audio stream copied as is, so nothing is lost. |
Most sites stream AAC audio. Choosing M4A copies that stream without re-encoding, which is the best possible quality. Choosing MP3 converts it, which is convenient but cannot add detail that was not there.
What quality will I get?
The quality of the source. A music site streaming at 128 kbps gives you a 128 kbps file, whether you pick MP3 or M4A. A talk recorded in mono stays mono. Numbers like "320 kbps" on other tools are marketing when the source was 128. We show the real bitrate where the site reports it.
Common uses
- A sound from a short video to use in your own edit: TikTok, Instagram reels, X posts. Pick MP3.
- Podcasts and interviews published as video: pick M4A for the smallest file.
- Lectures and talks to listen to on the way: M4A, and consider the extension's batch paste to grab a whole course in one go.
- Music from artist pages: on Bandcamp, buy the release when it is for sale. You get lossless files and the artist gets paid. Use the downloader for free streams and your own uploads.
Only the sound you are allowed to keep
Save audio you have the right to: your own recordings, openly licensed music, talks published for free, or tracks the artist allows you to download. Streaming a song does not give you the right to redistribute it.