How to Easily Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files
YouTube is an incredible resource for discovering and enjoying music. With millions of songs and music videos available to stream for free, it‘s no wonder YouTube has become many people‘s go-to platform for listening to their favorite tunes.
However, streaming YouTube videos requires an internet connection and can quickly eat up your mobile data allowance. It also lacks the convenience of having music files saved directly on your device for offline playback. Fortunately, it‘s easy to convert YouTube videos to downloadable MP3 audio files by using an online YouTube to MP3 converter or a desktop app.
In this in-depth guide, we‘ll walk you through how to convert YouTube videos to MP3 step-by-step. We‘ll share our top picks for the best online and desktop converters, provide tips for finding legal music on YouTube, and help you get the best possible audio quality for your converted files.
First, a Quick Warning About Copyright
Before we dive into the how-to, it‘s important to understand that downloading copyrighted music from YouTube is illegal. Songs, music videos, and other content on YouTube are owned by the artists, labels, and content creators who made them. Downloading this content without permission is considered copyright infringement.
However, there is a vast library of license-free, non-copyrighted music on YouTube that is legal and free to download and use. This includes songs in the public domain and music published under a Creative Commons license that allows downloading and remixing.
When converting YouTube videos to MP3, only download content that you have the rights for or that has been made available under a free-to-use license. Later in this guide, we‘ll share some tips for finding legal music on YouTube.
How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Online
The quickest and easiest way to convert a YouTube video to an MP3 audio file is by using a free online YouTube converter site. These web-based tools work on any device and operating system, don‘t require any software installation, and can convert videos to MP3 with just a few clicks. Here‘s how to do it:
-
Find a YouTube video that you want to convert to MP3 and copy its URL from the address bar.
-
Go to a YouTube to MP3 converter site in your web browser. We recommend YT2MP3, a fast, secure, and easy-to-use converter that supports high-quality 320kbps MP3 downloads.
-
Paste the YouTube video URL into the converter‘s input field and click the "Convert" button.
-
Wait a few moments while YT2MP3 fetches the video and converts it to an MP3 file. Large, long videos may take a minute or two to convert.
-
When the conversion is finished, click the "Download MP3" button to save the audio file to your computer or device.
That‘s it! The MP3 will be saved to your default downloads location, ready for you to play back or sync to your music library. We‘ll share more tips later for getting your downloaded MP3s into your preferred music player.
Alternative Online Converters to Try
While YT2MP3 is our top choice, there are several other high-quality online YouTube to MP3 converter sites you can try:
-
YTMP3 – A well-designed converter that offers multiple quality options up to 320kbps and has a built-in search feature so you don‘t need to leave the site to find videos.
-
Y2Mate – Supports MP3 conversion as well as video downloads in multiple formats. Includes a handy browser extension for one-click converting.
-
FLVto – Another full-featured converter with a clean, user-friendly interface, multiple quality settings, and support for dozens of sites besides YouTube.
For maximum security when using any online converter, make sure the site‘s URL starts with "https" and features a lock icon in your browser‘s address bar. Avoid converters plastered with ads or that prompt you to install unfamiliar browser extensions or software.
Using a Desktop App to Convert YouTube to MP3
If you prefer to avoid online converters due to security or privacy concerns, using a YouTube to MP3 desktop app is a great alternative. These programs run on your own computer, meaning your data isn‘t transmitted to any third-party servers. Many also offer more advanced customization options compared to online tools.
Our top pick for a feature-rich yet simple YouTube to MP3 desktop app is 4K YouTube to MP3. This free, open-source program makes it a cinch to convert videos from YouTube and many other sites. Here‘s how it works:
-
Download and install 4K YouTube to MP3 from its official website. The app is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux in over 40 languages.
-
Open the program and copy-paste the URL of a YouTube video into the input box near the top of the window. You can also drag and drop video links or even entire YouTube playlists.
-
Click the "Paste URL" button and select MP3 as the output format. You can also adjust options like the download location, audio bitrate, and metadata.
-
Click the "Download" button to start the conversion. The MP3 file will be saved in the output folder you specified.
Like the online converters, 4K YouTube to MP3 is fast and can handle videos and playlists of any length. The app is also completely open-source, which means security experts can verify that it‘s safe and not doing anything suspicious behind the scenes.
Some other great YouTube to MP3 desktop apps worth checking out include:
- MediaHuman YouTube to MP3 Converter (Windows/Mac)
- AllToMP3 (Windows)
- peggo (Mac)
No matter which desktop software you choose, make sure to only download it from the official site or a trusted software repository. Avoid any YouTube converters that are bundled with extra "optional" programs or that ask you to pay for a license key, as these are common signs of adware and scams.
Tips for Finding Free, Legal Music on YouTube
As we mentioned earlier, downloading copyrighted music from YouTube is illegal. However, YouTube offers a treasure trove of free-to-download songs that are in the public domain or released under Creative Commons licenses.
To find free, legal music on YouTube to convert to MP3, try searching for:
- Classical music recordings
- Jazz standards recorded before 1925
- Modern music tagged with "Creative Commons" or "non-copyrighted"
- Amateur covers of popular songs (original artist still owns the copyright to the composition, but cover versions can be okay to download)
- Movie and video game soundtrack snippets
- Natural sounds and sound effects
- Royalty free music from the YouTube Audio Library
When in doubt, check the video‘s description for copyright information or a download link provided by the uploader. Avoid ripping audio from commercial music videos, songs uploaded by record labels, or non-music content.
Getting the Best Audio Quality
Audio file quality is measured in kilobits per second (kbps). The higher this bitrate, the better the MP3 will sound. When converting a YouTube video to MP3, you‘ll usually see quality options like 128 kbps (standard quality), 192 kbps (high quality), and 320 kbps (premium quality).
For most purposes, 256 kbps is a good balance between audio quality and file size. If you have plenty of storage space and want the absolute best fidelity, go for 320 kbps. You likely won‘t notice much difference between 256 kbps and 320 kbps unless you have high-end audio gear.
Avoid going below 192 kbps if possible, as this is where quality starts to noticeably degrade. Audio converted at 128 kbps and below may sound muffled and lack fine details.
Most online YouTube converters will default to 256 kbps or 320 kbps, but double check this setting before starting the conversion. Desktop apps usually offer more control over the output quality and will default to whatever you used last.
Adding Converted MP3s to Your Music Library
Once you‘ve downloaded an MP3 file from YouTube, you‘ll probably want to import it into your preferred music player or add it to a playlist. How to do this varies depending on what music app you‘re using:
Apple Music (macOS/iOS):
- Open Apple Music and go to File > Import.
- Locate the MP3 file on your computer and click Open to import it.
- The song will appear in your Apple Music library in the "Recently Added" playlist.
Spotify (Desktop):
- Open Spotify and go to Settings.
- Scroll down to "Local Files" and make sure this setting is toggled on.
- Under "Add a source," click "Add a Source" and select the folder where your MP3s are saved.
- Click "Add Folder" to finish. Your MP3s will appear in the "Local Files" section of your Spotify library.
Google Play Music (Web/Android):
- Open music.youtube.com and click your profile picture.
- Click "Upload Music" and then "Select from your computer."
- Choose the MP3 files you want to upload and click "Open."
- The songs will now be available in your Google Play Music library.
Of course, you can also play the converted MP3s in any standard music player like iTunes, VLC, or Windows Media Player. Simply double click the MP3 file to open it in your default player, or use the "Open With" option to choose a specific app.
How to Troubleshoot Common Issues
While converting YouTube to MP3 is usually straightforward, you may occasionally run into issues like poor audio quality, slow downloads, or missing metadata. Here are some solutions to common problems:
-
Audio sounds distorted or staticky: Use a higher bitrate setting when converting (at least 256 kbps) and make sure the source video‘s audio isn‘t low quality to begin with.
-
File is downloading very slowly: Try a different browser, clear your browser cache, or use a desktop app instead of an online converter. Your internet connection speed can also affect download times.
-
Song title and artist info aren‘t showing up: Converted MP3s often lack proper metadata. Use a tool like MP3tag to manually add title, artist, album, and other info to the file.
-
Download stops partway or shows an error: Restart the download, try a different converter site/app, or copy the video URL again to make sure you have the full, correct link.
-
Downloaded file won‘t play or import: Make sure the file actually has the .mp3 extension (not .webm, .m4a, etc.). Try playing it in a different media player or re-convert using a desktop app instead of online.
Remember, the best way to avoid issues when converting YouTube to MP3 is to stick with reputable, well-reviewed converter apps and sites. Don‘t download from unfamiliar sources or give any converter software more system permissions than it needs.
Final Thoughts
Converting YouTube videos to MP3 is a convenient way to enjoy your favorite songs, mixes, and soundtracks offline and on any device. As long as you‘re mindful about only downloading content you have the rights to, it‘s a great way to build your personal music library or playlist.
For most users, a web-based YouTube to MP3 converter like YT2MP3 is the fastest, easiest option that will handle all common needs. If you convert videos frequently or want more control over settings, a feature-rich desktop app like 4K YouTube to MP3 may be worth the extra setup.
Whichever method you choose, make sure to download from legal sources, select a high enough bitrate for good sound quality, and properly import the MP3s into your preferred music player. With a little patience and know-how, you‘ll soon have all your YouTube favorites saved for keeps!
Still have questions about converting YouTube to MP3? Looking for suggestions on finding great royalty free music? Let us know in the comments below! You can also check out our related guides on downloading entire YouTube videos, recording streaming audio, and discovering new music on YouTube.
