Trimming an audio file means cutting off the parts you do not want, such as silence at the start, a mistake at the end, or everything except a short clip for a ringtone. Windows 10 does not include a full audio editor, but you have good free options: the built-in Voice Recorder for recordings you made with it, the free and popular Audacity editor for any audio file, and a few other quick tools. This guide walks through each one.
Quick Answer
Install the free Audacity editor, open your audio file, drag across the part you want to keep, and choose Edit > Remove Special > Trim Audio (or press Ctrl + T). Then use File > Export Audio to save it as MP3 or WAV. For Voice Recorder recordings, open the recording and click Trim.
Which Tool Should You Use?
| Tool | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Audacity | Any MP3, WAV, M4A, or other audio file | Free, precise, can also fade, normalize, and remove noise |
| Voice Recorder (Sound Recorder) | Recordings made in the app | Built in; simple trim only |
| Clipchamp | Audio that is part of a video project | Trims audio on a timeline, but exports as video |
| Online trimmers | Quick one-off edits | You upload the file to a third-party site |
Method 1: Trim Audio With Audacity
- Download Audacity from its official website and install it.
- Open Audacity and choose File > Open, then select your audio file.
- Press Space to play and find the section you want to keep.
- Click and drag across the waveform to select that section. Use the zoom buttons (or Ctrl + 1 and Ctrl + 3) for precision.
- Choose Edit > Remove Special > Trim Audio, or press Ctrl + T. Everything outside your selection is removed.
- To remove a part in the middle instead, select it and press Delete.
- Choose File > Export Audio (older versions: File > Export > Export as MP3), pick a format and quality, and save.
Tip: add Effect > Fade In or Fade Out to the first and last seconds for a smooth start and finish.
Method 2: Trim a Recording in Voice Recorder
- Open Voice Recorder (called Sound Recorder in newer versions).
- Select the recording from the list.
- Click Trim (the scissors-style icon) at the bottom.
- Drag the start and end markers to the section you want to keep.
- Click Save and choose Update original or Save a copy.
Voice Recorder saves recordings as M4A files in Documents > Sound recordings. The trim tool may not be available in every version of the app.
Method 3: Trim Audio in a Video Project
If the audio is part of a video, open the project in Clipchamp, drag the audio track to the timeline, and drag its edges to trim it. Clipchamp exports video files, so use Audacity if you need an audio-only file.
Method 4: Online Audio Trimmers
Online tools let you upload a file, drag markers, and download the result. They are convenient but have file size limits and involve uploading your audio, so avoid them for private recordings.
Save in the Right Format
- MP3: small and compatible with almost everything.
- WAV: uncompressed, best quality for further editing.
- M4A: good quality and size, common on Apple devices.
Each time you edit and re-save an MP3, it is compressed again. Keep the original file in case you need to redo the edit.
Troubleshooting
Audacity will not open my file
Some formats, such as M4A or audio inside MP4 videos, need the FFmpeg library. Install it as described in Audacity's help (Edit > Preferences > Libraries).
The trim option is grayed out
Make sure you selected a region of the waveform and that playback is stopped.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Windows Media Player trim audio?
No. Windows Media Player and the Media Player app play files but do not edit them.
Is Audacity safe and free?
Yes, when downloaded from its official website. It is free and open source.
How do I make a ringtone?
Trim the audio to about 30 seconds in Audacity and export it in the format your phone requires.
Summary
- Open the file in Audacity, select the part to keep, and press Ctrl + T.
- Export it as MP3 or WAV.
- Use Voice Recorder's Trim for recordings made in that app.
- Keep the original file as a backup.
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.