How to Convert MP4 to MP3 on Windows 10 (Free Methods)

Converting an MP4 video to an MP3 audio file is handy for turning a recorded lecture, interview, podcast video, or voice memo into something you can play on any music player. Windows 10 does not include a one-click MP4 to MP3 converter, but several free, trustworthy tools do the job well. This guide covers the best options, from the popular VLC media player to Audacity and the command-line tool FFmpeg, along with tips on quality and copyright.

Quick Answer

Install the free VLC media player, then click Media > Convert / Save. Add your MP4 file, click Convert / Save, choose the Audio – MP3 profile, set a destination file name ending in .mp3, and click Start.

Which Method Should You Use?

Tool	Best for	Notes
VLC media player	Most people	Free, open source, no watermarks, handles almost any format
Audacity	Trimming or cleaning up audio before saving	Free audio editor; imports MP4 audio with the FFmpeg library
FFmpeg	Batch conversion, advanced users	Command-line tool, fastest and most flexible
Online converters	One-off small files	Convenient, but you upload your file to a third party

Method 1: Convert With VLC Media Player

1. Download VLC from the official VideoLAN website (videolan.org) and install it.
2. Open VLC and click Media > Convert / Save (or press Ctrl + R).
3. Click Add, select your MP4 file, and click Convert / Save at the bottom.
4. Under Profile, choose Audio – MP3.
5. Optional: click the wrench icon, open Audio codec, and set the Bitrate (192 kb/s or 256 kb/s for good quality).
6. Click Browse next to Destination file, choose a folder, and type a name ending in .mp3.
7. Click Start. The progress bar in VLC shows the conversion; when it finishes, your MP3 is in the chosen folder.

Tip: make sure the file name ends in .mp3, or Windows may not recognize the file type.

Method 2: Convert With Audacity

1. Download and install Audacity from its official website.
2. If Audacity cannot open MP4 files, install the FFmpeg library as described in Audacity's help (Edit > Preferences > Libraries).
3. Click File > Import > Audio and choose your MP4 file.
4. Trim or edit the audio if you want, such as removing silence at the start.
5. Click File > Export Audio (or Export > Export as MP3 in older versions).
6. Choose MP3 as the format, pick a quality, and click Export.

Method 3: Convert With FFmpeg (Advanced)

1. Download FFmpeg for Windows from a build linked on the official ffmpeg.org site and extract it. You can also install it with winget install ffmpeg on Windows 10 versions that include winget.
2. Open Command Prompt in the folder with your video.
3. Run: ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vn -b:a 192k output.mp3

-vn removes the video, and -b:a 192k sets the audio bitrate. To convert every MP4 in a folder, use: for %f in (*.mp4) do ffmpeg -i "%f" -vn -b:a 192k "%~nf.mp3"

What About Online Converters?

Online converters work without installing anything, but you upload your file to someone else's server, file size limits often apply, and some sites show aggressive ads or bundle downloads. Avoid them for private recordings, and never download "converter" programs from pop-up ads.

Choosing the Right Quality

Bitrate	Good for
128 kb/s	Voice recordings, lectures, smaller files
192 kb/s	General use, good balance of quality and size
256 to 320 kb/s	Music, best quality MP3

Converting cannot improve quality beyond the original audio in the MP4, so a very high bitrate only makes the file larger.

A Note on Copyright

Only convert videos you own or have permission to use. Extracting audio from copyrighted videos, such as music videos from streaming sites, may violate copyright law and the service's terms.

Troubleshooting

The MP3 has no sound or is very short

Check that the MP4 actually contains audio. In VLC, make sure you selected an audio profile, not a video one.

VLC creates a file that will not play

Confirm the destination file name ends in .mp3 and that you chose Audio – MP3. Try again with a different bitrate.

Audacity cannot import MP4

Install the FFmpeg library and restart Audacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Windows 10 have a built-in MP4 to MP3 converter?

Not a dedicated one. Free tools like VLC and Audacity are the easiest options.

Is VLC safe?

Yes, when downloaded from the official VideoLAN website.

Can I convert several files at once?

Yes. In VLC, add multiple files in the Convert dialog, or use an FFmpeg loop for large batches.

Summary

1. Install VLC and open Media > Convert / Save.
2. Add the MP4, choose Audio – MP3, and set a .mp3 destination.
3. Click Start.
4. Use Audacity to edit audio first, or FFmpeg for batch conversions.