YouTube is an amazing platform for watching various videos, from music to tutorials, lectures, and more. However, you may want to download a YouTube video in MP3 format, listen to the audio offline, or add it to your music library. Converting YouTube videos to MP3 can be done in just a few easy steps. In this article, we’ll walk through the different methods for converting YouTube to MP3 using free online converters, browser extensions, and desktop apps, as well as provide you with a valuable list of YouTube Downloader Tools to help you achieve your audio extraction needs.
Why Convert YouTube to MP3
Here are some of the main reasons you may want to download YouTube videos as MP3 files:
Listen offline: By converting YouTube videos to MP3, you can download the audio and listen offline when you don’t have an internet connection. This makes it easy to listen in the car while exercising or anywhere else you don’t have WiFi.
Add to music library: Downloading YouTube audio as MP3 allows you to build up your music collection. You can add your favorite tracks to your phone or MP3 player.
Save audio: If you want to save just the audio portion from a YouTube video tutorial, speech, or other video, converting to MP3 gives you a simple way to extract and save the audio.
Create ringtones & alarms: You can trim an MP3 file down and set it as your ringtone or alarm sound on your smartphone. This gives you a way to customize your favorite YouTube tracks.
Online YouTube to MP3 Converters
The easiest way to convert YouTube videos to MP3 is to use a free online converter tool. Here are some of the top options:
YoutubeMp3.org
YoutubeMp3.org is another popular online YouTube converter that’s easy to use. It converts files quickly and lets you download MP3s up to 320kbps—no registration required.
Video2MP3
Video2MP3 has been around for years and offers YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram conversion. It’s fast and free, and no signup is needed. Just input a video URL and click “Convert Video.”
Convert2MP3
As the name implies, Convert2MP3 specializes in converting YouTube to MP3. It has a clean interface and is very easy to use, with no registration required. You can also convert YouTube to M4A audio with this tool.
Browser Extensions for Downloading YouTube as MP3
Another quick and convenient way to convert YouTube to MP3 is using a browser extension. These add download functionality right inside your browser. Here are some top options:
Video Download Helper
Available for Chrome and Firefox, Video Download Helper is one of the most popular YouTube download extensions. Once installed, it can detect when you’re on YouTube and display MP3 download options on the video page.
Easy YouTube Video Downloader Express
This Chrome extension integrates into YouTube for quick downloading in MP3 (and other formats). A button allows simple downloading with preset quality and format options.
YouTube MP3 Downloader
Work exclusively for downloading YouTube as MP3 audio. This Chrome extension is a straightforward tool for grabbing audio tracks quickly.
Desktop Apps for Downloading YouTube as MP3
For power YouTube users, downloading desktop apps can provide the most robust long-term experience for converting YouTube videos to MP3 and managing your downloads. Here are some of the best options:
4K Video Downloader
Available for Windows and Mac, 4K YouTube Video Downloader is very fast and reliable for downloading YouTube playlists and channels in MP3 format. It also supports downloading entire YouTube playlists in bulk.
Free YouTube Download
This great free program for Windows and Mac makes it simple to convert YouTube to MP3. Copy and paste the YouTube URL and select MP3 as the output format.
aTube Catcher
aTube Catcher is a popular freeware tool for Windows that can download YouTube videos in MP4 and MP3 formats. It allows bulk downloading and has a nice interface.
How to Use an Online YouTube to MP3 Converter
An online converter is the fastest and easiest way to download YouTube audio. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Copy the YouTube URL – Visit the YouTube video you want to convert and copy its URL from the address bar.
- Paste URL into converter – Go to an online converter like YouTubeMp3.org and paste the copied URL into the input field.
- Select MP3 format – The site will automatically detect the URL. Select MP3 as your desired download format.
- Convert the video – Click the “Convert Video” button to start ripping the audio in MP3 format. This usually only takes a few seconds.
- Download the MP3 – You can download the MP3 file to your computer once the conversion finishes. The quality options usually range from 128kbps up to 320kbps.
And that’s all there is to it! After downloading the MP3, you can add it to your music library or listen on your phone and MP3 player. The online converter does all the work quickly and easily.
Tips for Converting YouTube to High-Quality MP3
Here are some additional tips for getting the best results when turning YouTube videos into MP3 files:
- Choose a high-bitrate MP3 (256kbps or 320kbps) for the best audio quality whenever possible. This is the closest you’ll get to CD quality.
- For desktop apps, play around with the encoding settings. Faster encoding may result in lower-quality audio.
- Use high-quality stereo audio sources on YouTube. Music videos and official uploads sound better than other videos.
- Desktop apps allow easier bulk downloading of multiple YouTube videos or full playlists.
- There is some loss of audio quality inherent in the MP3 format. Use M4A or WAV if you want lossless audio.
- Always make sure to download legally with proper licensing. Avoid pirated material.
Converting your favorite YouTube videos to MP3 can let you enjoy the audio anywhere. Use the handy tools and tips in this guide to quickly download videos in MP3 music format.