YouTube has a huge library of audio content, usually if you may just want to listen to the audio of YouTube videos offline . Converting YouTube videos to MP3 format provides a quick way to extract and save only the audio tracks.
With instructions provided for six methods, you’ll learn methods of YouTube videos to MP3 format.
From individual videos to full playlists and channels, we cover the key techniques to get YouTube audio into a lightweight format ideal for listening offline or on mobile devices. Read on to unlock the simple secrets to converting YouTube to MP3 audio.
top 8 youtube to mp3 converter apps in 2023
1. SSyoutube YouTube to MP3 Converter
SSyoutube YouTube to MP3 Converter is a popular desktop application. It provides a quick way to download YouTube videos and convert them to MP3 audio. SSyoutube has an intuitive interface.
The most powerful thing about SSyoutube is its batch conversion function.
It can convert unlimited YouTube videos to MP3 all at once. You simply add multiple video URLs or a full playlist, and SSyoutube will rapidly convert them one after another to extract the audio. This saves a tremendous amount of time compared to converting videos individually.
Advantages:
- Fast batch conversion of multiple videos
- Preserves original audio quality in MP3s
- Allows editing metadata like song title, artist, album before conversion
Disadvantages:
- The free version has limitations
- No cloud storage integration
- Limited to just YouTube as a source
Rating: 4/5
2. 4K YouTube to MP3
4K YouTube to MP3 is a useful browser extension available for Chrome and Firefox. It installs easily and integrates into YouTube for quick video to MP3 conversion. By clicking the extension icon, users can immediately download the audio track from a playing YouTube video.
The most useful aspect of this extension is how seamlessly it integrates into the YouTube interface. Without leaving the site or interrupting playback, you can extract audio files with one click. This makes grabbing MP3s fast and convenient.
Advantages:
- One-click audio download from YouTube
- Lightweight browser extension installs quickly
- Downloads entire YouTube playlists
Disadvantages:
- Only works for YouTube in a browser
- No advanced configuration options
- Can slow browser performance
Rating: 3.5/5
3. ClipGrab
ClipGrab’s simple drag and drop functionality makes it easy to queue up multiple videos for batch conversion.
A useful feature of ClipGrab is its ability to download entire YouTube playlists or channel content with just one click. You can grab all the videos from a playlist or channel and convert them to MP3 format without having to handle each video individually. This is great for converting music albums or podcast episodes.
Advantages:
- One-click playlist and channel downloads
- Completely free and open source
Disadvantages:
- Basic features compared to paid tools
- Occasional bugs or errors
- Slow conversion speeds
Rating: 3/5
4. aTube Catcher
aTube Catcher is a popular YouTube to MP3 converter app for Windows PCs. It provides an array of video and audio conversion capabilities beyond just downloading YouTube clips. aTube Catcher makes it straightforward to convert videos into MP3 or extract audio tracks from videos.
One handy feature is aTube Catcher’s ability to convert entire YouTube playlists into MP3 audio files. You can paste a playlist URL and download all the videos before converting them into an MP3 folder with just a couple clicks. This automates grabbing lots of music tracks, podcasts or other audio content.
Advantages:
- Easy playlist and batch audio conversions
- Video editing and conversion features
- Free version available
Disadvantages:
- Contains ads and upsells in free version
- Dated interface
- Windows only
Rating: 3.5/5
5. MediaHuman YouTube to MP3 Converter
MediaHuman YouTube to MP3 Converter is a straightforward desktop app for Mac and Windows. The simple interface makes it easy to paste in video URLs and convert them.
A useful function of MediaHuman is its ability to grab and convert full YouTube playlists into MP3s. This allows downloading entire albums or podcasts worth of audio content from YouTube efficiently. It can convert unlimited YouTube videos with Maintained audio quality.
Advantages:
- Specialized tool just for YouTube to MP3
- Playlist conversion support
- Maintains good audio quality
Disadvantages:
- No advanced features beyond conversion
- Slightly dated looking interface
- Limited to YouTube as source
Rating: 4/5
6. Free YouTube to MP3 Converter
As its name implies, Free YouTube to MP3 Converter is a free online platform that converts YouTube videos into MP3 files. It has an incredibly simple interface requiring only a video URL to download and convert audio.
A useful aspect of this online converter is its unlimited use without any restrictions. You can convert as many YouTube videos to MP3 as you want completely free. It also supports playlist conversions.
Advantages:
- Easy to use web interface
- Unlimited conversions for free
- No registration required
Disadvantages:
- Contains distracting ads
- Very basic compared to software tools
- Slow conversion speeds
Rating: 3/5
7. YTMP3
YTMP3 is another free online YouTube to MP3 conversion tool. It has a clean interface making it easy to paste video links and convert them to audio files.
A handy feature of YTMP3 is its ability to convert full YouTube playlists to MP3 all at once. You can enter a playlist URL and download all the contained videos in audio format rapidly. This is useful for capturing playlists of music or podcasts.
Advantages:
- Easy to use web application
- Playlist conversion capability
- Unlimited use for free
Disadvantages:
- Delivers lower quality audio than desktop apps
- Contains lots of ads
- Legal grey area for downloading content
Rating: 3/5
8. VideoProc
VideoProc is a premium software program for Windows and Mac offering fast YouTube to MP3 conversion powered by GPU acceleration. Beyond just YouTube, VideoProc can convert media files and DVDs into a wide array of formats.
A useful VideoProc feature is its level-3 hardware acceleration using GPUs for blazing fast media conversion speeds. When extracting YouTube audio as an MP3, it works significantly faster than other converters.
Advantages:
- Extremely fast conversion speeds
- Premium software with robust options
- hardware acceleration optimization
Disadvantages:
- Expensive paid software
- Overkill for basic MP3 conversion needs
- Complex interface for beginners
Rating: 4/5
Guide of Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Audio
1. Find and Copy the YouTube Video URL
First, find the YouTube video you want to download and copy its URL from the address bar.
2. Paste the URL into the Converter
Next, go to your preferred YouTube to MP3 conversion site or software. Paste the copied YouTube video URL into the box where it says to insert a link.
3. Select MP3 as the Output Format
You need to look for the drop-down menu labeled “Output Format” or something similar, select MP3.
4. Convert video to MP3
Click the “Convert” or “Download” button, the time required may vary depending on the video size.
5. Save MP3 files
Click on the MP3 file and save it on your computer.
6. Add MP3 Tags (Optional)
You may want to add ID3 tags to the MP3 like artist, title, album, etc. This helps organize your music library. Some converters let you add tags during the process. If not, use MP3 tagging software after.
7. Listen to the Converted MP3 File
The downloaded MP3 audio file can now be played in your favorite audio player app on your computer, phone, or MP3 device. Enjoy listening to the audio content you extracted from the YouTube video!
8. Repeat for Other Videos
To convert another YouTube video to MP3, just repeat the process by grabbing the new video URL, pasting it into the converter, selecting MP3 format, and downloading the audio.
How to Pick the Best YouTube to MP3 Converter
With many YouTube to MP3 converter options out there, how do you pick the best one? Here are key factors to consider:
- Conversion speed – Faster is better. Look for converters touting quick conversion times.
- Output quality – Select a converter that doesn’t overly compress audio quality during conversion.
- Ease of use – The process should be simple with an intuitive interface.
- Additional features – Options like editing tags, downloading playlists, and bulk converting are useful.
- Reliability – Choose a stable converter service that works when you need it. Read reviews and tests.
- Safety – Select a converter that doesn’t bundle extra software or malware. Stick to well-known, reputable sites.
Testing out a few recommended YouTube to MP3 converters can help you determine which one best fits your needs.
Examining the Legal Grey Area of YouTube to MP3 Conversion
Converting YouTube videos to MP3 for personal offline use resides in a legal grey area. While YouTube’s terms prohibit downloading content, these rules are not consistently enforced for personal use. However, distributing the audio files may violate copyright.
YouTube stated that downloading the video was against its rules. Copyright law calls this the fair use doctrine. YouTube videos are fair use in many countries as long as you convert them to MP3 for your own listening. While chances of action against an individual user are low, there is some legal risk in using a YouTube to MP3 converter. Proceed carefully and avoid sharing the downloaded audio files. Using the MP3s for commercial purposes also crosses into clear copyright violation. Tread cautiously in this legal grey area.
How to Bulk Downloading and Conversion
If you want to convert multiple YouTube videos to MP3 all at once, many converters offer bulk downloading and conversion features to automate the process. Here are the methods:
- Compile a list of YouTube video URLs that need to be converted.
- Look for a “Bulk Convert” or “Batch Download” option in the YouTube to MP3 converter.
- Paste the list of YouTube links into the bulk converter text box.
- Configure the output format as MP3.
- Click the bulk conversion button and let the program work through your URL list.
- The converter will download each video and extract the audio into individual MP3 files.
- When done, download the full set of MP3 audio tracks in one zip folder.
Bulk converting entire YouTube playlists or channels worth of videos to MP3 at one time can save a lot of time versus manual one-by-one downloading.
Final Words
Converting YouTube videos to MP3 audio files can be accomplished smoothly when using a straightforward online converter tool. With this guide walking through the key steps like pasting video URLs, selecting MP3 format, and downloading the converted files, you should have no trouble extracting just the audio out of YouTube videos for offline listening and convenience. Just be mindful of any copyright issues around further distributing the MP3 files.