The official way to download music from YouTube on a Windows 10 computer is with a YouTube Premium subscription. Open the song or music video on youtube.com in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox and click Download below the video. It’s saved inside your browser for offline listening, not as an MP3 file. If you need actual audio files you can keep, use a source that allows it, such as YouTube’s free Audio Library, Creative Commons music, or a store where you buy the song.
Converter sites and apps that rip audio from YouTube break YouTube’s Terms of Service, can infringe copyright, and are a common source of malware and scam ads. Here are the safe, legal options.
Your options at a glance
| Option | Cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Premium download on youtube.com | Subscription | Offline playback in your browser. Not an MP3 file. |
| YouTube Music app downloads (phone or tablet) | YouTube Music Premium or YouTube Premium | Offline songs and playlists on mobile |
| YouTube Audio Library | Free | MP3 files you can keep and use in videos |
| Creative Commons or artist downloads | Often free | Files the artist chose to share |
| Buying the song | Per song or album | DRM-free MP3 or high-quality files you own |
Method 1: Download with YouTube Premium on your PC
- Sign in to youtube.com with the Google account that has YouTube Premium, using a recent version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Opera.
- Open the song or music video.
- Click Download below the video. If you don’t see it, click the three-dot More button next to Share.
- Choose a quality and click Download.
- To listen offline, go to You > Downloads in the YouTube sidebar, or open youtube.com/feed/downloads.
A few things to know:
- Downloads play only in the same browser and account. They aren’t files you can copy to a USB drive or another app.
- You need to go online periodically so YouTube can confirm your subscription, or the downloads stop playing.
- Some videos can’t be downloaded because of the creator’s or label’s settings.
The YouTube Music website doesn’t offer downloads. To save songs and playlists from YouTube Music, use the YouTube Music app on a phone or tablet.
Method 2: Get free music files from the YouTube Audio Library
If you need music for your own videos, podcasts, or projects, YouTube offers thousands of free tracks you can download as MP3s.
- Go to studio.youtube.com and sign in. (Anyone with a Google account can create a YouTube channel for free.)
- Click Audio Library in the left menu.
- Browse or search by genre, mood, instrument, or length.
- Click the Download arrow next to a track to save it as an MP3.
- Check the license icon. Some tracks require you to credit the artist.
Method 3: Download music the creator chose to share
- Check the video description. Many independent artists link to free downloads on their website, Bandcamp, or SoundCloud.
- Creative Commons music. Sites like the Free Music Archive and Jamendo offer music licensed for free downloading.
- Your own uploads. Download your own videos from YouTube Studio > Content > the three-dot menu > Download.
Method 4: Buy the songs
To own a song as a file that plays anywhere, buy it from a digital music store like Amazon Music (MP3 store), Apple’s iTunes Store, Bandcamp, or Qobuz. Purchased files work in any music player on Windows 10 and can be copied to your phone or a USB drive.
Why not use a YouTube to MP3 converter?
- It breaks YouTube’s rules. YouTube’s Terms of Service don’t allow downloading content except through features YouTube provides, like Premium’s Download button.
- It can infringe copyright when you download music you don’t have rights to.
- Security risk. Many converter sites are covered in misleading ads, fake “Download” buttons, and pop-ups that push unwanted software or browser extensions.
- Poor quality. Converters re-compress audio that’s already compressed, so it often sounds worse.
Frequently asked questions
Can I download YouTube Premium music as MP3?
No. Premium downloads are encrypted and play only inside YouTube or YouTube Music.
Is YouTube Premium free to try?
YouTube often offers a free trial for new subscribers. Check youtube.com/premium for current offers in your country.
Where are YouTube Premium downloads stored on my PC?
They’re stored inside your browser’s data, not in a folder you can open. You can manage them from Downloads on youtube.com.
Can I download music from YouTube to Windows Media Player?
Not from YouTube itself. Buy the songs as MP3 files, or use tracks from the Audio Library, then add them to Windows Media Player or the Media Player app.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.