How to Extract Audio from Video: 6 Methods for Mac, Windows & Mobile
Six proven methods to extract audio from any video file — from FFmpeg one-liners to drag-and-drop tools — covering every platform and output format.
Need to pull the audio track out of a video file? Whether you want to grab a song from a concert recording, rip a podcast interview from an MP4, or save a voice memo from a screen recording, knowing how to extract audio from video is one of those skills that pays off over and over.
The good news: you almost certainly already have the tools to do it. This guide covers six methods — from a single FFmpeg command to mobile apps — along with guidance on choosing the right output format (MP3, WAV, AAC, or FLAC) for your use case.
Method 1: Extract Audio from Video Using FFmpeg (Fastest, Any Platform)
FFmpeg is the gold standard for this task. It extracts audio in seconds with zero re-encoding, which means zero quality loss. If you already have FFmpeg installed (common for developers and anyone who has followed a video compression guide), this is the fastest method available.
Install FFmpeg
On macOS via Homebrew:
brew install ffmpeg
On Ubuntu/Debian:
sudo apt install ffmpeg
On Windows, download the static build from ffmpeg.org and add it to your PATH.
Extract Audio Without Re-encoding (Lossless Copy)
The -c:a copy flag tells FFmpeg to copy the audio stream directly without touching it:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vn -c:a copy output.aac
-i input.mp4— your source video-vn— discard the video stream-c:a copy— copy the audio codec as-is (no re-encoding)output.aac— output file (AAC is the native codec for most MP4s)
If the source video uses AAC audio (most modern MP4 and MOV files do), this command finishes almost instantly regardless of file size, because it is simply demuxing — no encoding work at all.
Convert to MP3 While Extracting
If you need MP3 output:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vn -c:a libmp3lame -q:a 2 output.mp3
-q:a 2 sets variable bitrate quality (0 = best, 9 = worst). Quality 2 gives ~190 kbps average — transparent for most listening.
Extract to WAV (Uncompressed)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vn -c:a pcm_s16le output.wav
WAV files are large but uncompressed — ideal as a working format if you plan to edit the audio further.
Extract to FLAC (Lossless Compressed)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vn -c:a flac output.flac
FLAC gives you lossless quality at roughly 40-60% of WAV file size. Best choice when archiving original audio.
Extract a Specific Time Range
Clip a section of audio without extracting the full file:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -ss 00:01:30 -to 00:03:45 -vn -c:a copy clip.aac
This is especially handy when you only need one section of a long interview or lecture recording.
For more FFmpeg tricks, see our FFmpeg video compression command guide.
Method 2: Extract Audio from Video with VLC (Free, No Terminal)
VLC's Convert/Save feature is one of the least-known but most useful things about the app. It works on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
- Open VLC and go to File → Convert / Stream (Mac) or Media → Convert/Save (Windows).
- Click Add and select your video file.
- Click Convert / Stream.
- Under Choose Profile, click the settings icon and select an audio-only profile (MP3 or AAC).
- Set a destination file path.
- Click Go.
VLC re-encodes the audio, so it takes longer than the FFmpeg copy method — but for most files it still runs faster than real-time playback.
Tip for macOS: If you need more control or batch processing, VLC's command-line mode also supports audio extraction:
vlc input.mp4 --no-video -I dummy --sout '#transcode{acodec=mp3,ab=192}:std{access=file,mux=raw,dst=output.mp3}' vlc://quit
Method 3: Extract Audio on Mac with iMovie
iMovie is the simplest no-install option for Mac users who are not comfortable with the command line.
- Open iMovie and create a new project.
- Import your video file into the project library.
- Drag the clip to the timeline.
- Go to File → Share → File.
- In the export dialog, change Video and Audio to Audio Only.
- Choose your format: AAC (M4A) is the only export option iMovie offers.
- Click Next, choose a save location, and export.
The main limitation: iMovie only exports AAC/M4A audio. If you need MP3 or WAV, you will need to convert the M4A output afterward using another tool.
For tasks beyond simple audio extraction — like reducing video file size before sharing or batch-converting clips — iMovie's options become limiting quickly.
Method 4: Use Compresto for Video and Audio Processing on Mac
If you regularly work with video and audio on macOS, Compresto handles the workflow without requiring any command-line knowledge. Compresto is a native macOS app built for batch media compression and conversion — drop files in, configure output settings, and it processes them with hardware acceleration.
While Compresto's primary strength is video compression (H.264, H.265, AV1) and image optimization, it fits naturally into an audio extraction workflow:
- Compress the source video first to reduce working file sizes before sharing or archiving — particularly useful when you also need to keep the video copy
- Convert video formats (MOV to MP4, WebM, etc.) as preparation for downstream tools
- Batch-process large folders of recordings in one operation
For pure audio extraction in bulk, pair Compresto's video handling with the FFmpeg commands above. Compresto manages the video side; FFmpeg handles audio demuxing. This combination is especially effective for content creators processing footage from cameras, screen recorders, or conference calls.
Download Compresto at compresto.app.
For related workflows, see how to reduce video file size on Mac and how to convert GIF to MP4.
Method 5: Online Tools (No Install Required)
Several browser-based tools extract audio from video without requiring any software installation. These work on any platform, including Chromebooks and iPads.
Best options:
| Tool | Max File Size | Output Formats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CloudConvert | 1 GB (free tier) | MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, OGG | High quality, many options |
| Convertio | 100 MB (free) | MP3, WAV, AAC, M4A | Fast, simple interface |
| Online-Convert.com | 200 MB (free) | MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG | Good format variety |
| Kapwing | 250 MB (free) | MP3, WAV | Also handles editing |
Important caveats for online tools:
- Uploading large video files (1 GB+) is slow and dependent on your internet speed
- Privacy: your video is uploaded to a third-party server — avoid using these for confidential recordings
- Free tiers usually impose file size caps and may add watermarks to downloads
- Quality depends on the tool's encoding settings, which you often cannot control
For one-off extractions from small files, online tools are perfectly fine. For regular workflows or large files, local tools are faster and more reliable.
Method 6: Extract Audio from Video on Mobile
iPhone and iPad (iOS/iPadOS)
iOS does not include a built-in audio extraction tool, but several free apps handle it well:
- iMovie for iOS — same approach as desktop iMovie; exports M4A only
- Documents by Readdle — can run simple FFmpeg-style conversions on-device
- Shortcuts app — with the right actions, you can build a one-tap audio extraction shortcut using the Encode Media action (exports M4A)
For the Shortcuts method:
- Open the Shortcuts app and create a new shortcut
- Add action: Select Photos (set to include videos)
- Add action: Encode Media → set to Audio Only, format M4A
- Add action: Save File
Android
Android has better native support for media processing:
- MP3 Video Converter (free) — straightforward extraction with MP3 output
- Video to MP3 Converter — supports MP3, AAC, and FLAC output
- Termux — if you want FFmpeg on Android, Termux gives you a full terminal environment where you can install and run FFmpeg commands identical to Linux
Choosing the Right Output Format
The output format matters depending on what you plan to do with the audio.
MP3 — Best for general sharing, podcasts, and background music. Universal compatibility, small file size, lossy. Use 192 kbps or higher for music; 128 kbps is fine for speech.
AAC (M4A) — Better quality than MP3 at the same bitrate. Native format for Apple devices and YouTube. Good default choice if you are not sure.
WAV — Uncompressed, lossless. Large file size (about 10 MB per minute at CD quality). Use this as a working format if you will edit the audio in a DAW or audio editor.
FLAC — Lossless compression. Smaller than WAV but still pixel-perfect quality. Ideal for archiving original recordings. Not supported everywhere, but Audacity, VLC, and most DAWs handle it fine.
OGG Vorbis — Open-source alternative to MP3, good quality, small size. Rarely needed unless you are targeting Linux platforms or open-source pipelines.
Quick reference:
- Sharing or streaming → AAC or MP3
- Editing in a DAW → WAV
- Long-term archiving → FLAC
- Apple ecosystem → AAC (M4A)
If you often work with audio files after extraction, check out our guide on how to join audio files for the next step in the workflow.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
"No audio stream found" error in FFmpeg
Some video formats store audio as a separate track with an unusual codec. Run ffmpeg -i input.mp4 (without any output) to inspect what streams are present. Look for lines starting with Stream #0:1: Audio.
Audio is out of sync after extraction
This usually happens with VBR (variable bitrate) MP4 files. Add -avoid_negative_ts make_zero to your FFmpeg command, or re-encode instead of copying: -c:a aac -b:a 192k.
Output file is silent
If the video uses a codec FFmpeg cannot copy directly (rare), force re-encoding: replace -c:a copy with -c:a aac -b:a 192k.
File size is unexpectedly large after WAV export WAV is uncompressed by design. A 1-hour 44.1 kHz stereo recording will be ~600 MB as WAV. Use FLAC if you need lossless but smaller files.
Related Video Workflows
Once you have the audio extracted, you may also find these guides useful:
- How to join audio files on macOS — merge multiple audio clips into one
- How to reduce video file size — compress the video you extracted from
- Convert GIF to MP4 — related format conversion workflow
- FFmpeg video compression guide — go deeper with FFmpeg for video
- Convert MP4 to WebM — export video for web delivery
FAQ
Can I extract audio from video without losing quality?
Yes, if you use the stream-copy method. With FFmpeg, the command ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vn -c:a copy output.aac copies the audio stream byte-for-byte with no re-encoding, preserving the original quality completely. This only works when the output container supports the source audio codec (e.g., copying AAC from MP4 to M4A or AAC file). If you need to convert to a different codec like MP3 or WAV, some re-encoding is required — but at high quality settings (WAV or FLAC), the result is perceptually lossless.
What is the best format to extract audio for editing?
WAV is the standard working format for audio editing because it is uncompressed and universally supported by every DAW (Logic Pro, GarageBand, Audacity, Pro Tools, etc.). If storage is a concern, FLAC gives you identical quality at roughly half the file size. Avoid MP3 or AAC as your editing format — every generation of lossy encoding adds artifacts.
How do I extract audio from a video on iPhone without an app?
Use the built-in Shortcuts app. Create a shortcut with the Select Photos action (allow videos), then add the Encode Media action set to Audio Only in M4A format, then Save File. This works without installing any third-party apps. The limitation is that iOS Shortcuts only exports M4A (AAC) format, not MP3 or WAV.
Why is my extracted audio file larger than the original video?
This typically happens when you are converting from a compressed audio codec (like AAC) to an uncompressed format (like WAV). A 100 MB MP4 with AAC audio might produce a 600 MB WAV because WAV stores every audio sample without compression. If you want a smaller output, export to MP3 or AAC instead, or use FLAC for lossless quality at a more manageable size.
Can FFmpeg extract audio from MKV, MOV, AVI, and other video formats?
Yes. FFmpeg supports virtually every video container: MKV, MOV, AVI, WebM, FLV, WMV, TS, and more. The command structure is identical regardless of input format — just change the input filename extension. The main variable is the audio codec inside the container. Run ffmpeg -i yourfile.mkv to see which audio codec the file uses, then choose a compatible output format or re-encode to your target codec.