So you've captured the perfect video podcast or interview—your questions were sharp, your guest was brilliant, and for once, your cat didn't decide to demonstrate parkour in the background. The hard part's done, right?

Well, now comes the part nobody talks about: extracting that audio for your podcast listeners. Most creators dread this step, imagining hours of technical wrestling with complex software. But here's the truth—it doesn't have to be complicated. This guide walks you through extracting audio from video in minutes, using tools that won't make you question your career choices.

Is it possible to extract audio from video?

It is possible to separate audio from video in a file where the two are combined. Most audio extraction tools will do the work for you with just a few clicks. The tricky part is choosing the right software for your needs, especially when considering file format compatibility and audio quality requirements.

Suppose you're just looking to extract audio from online videos for social media purposes. In that case, you might be able to use some more barebones audio extractors that support limited video formats. But if you're looking to use audio from a video for your podcast or professional project, you may need a more comprehensive tool like Descript that offers additional editing capabilities.

How to extract audio from video: 4 easy steps

These steps may vary depending on the tool you choose, the operating system you're working with (Windows, Mac, or mobile), and the specific video and audio formats you're using. But this is the basic process for extracting audio from video files.

Step 1: Choose an audio extraction tool

Do the research and find the audio extraction tool compatible with the video format you want to extract audio from (MP4, MOV, FLV, AVI, etc.). The software should also let you save the audio in the audio file format you need (MP3, AAC, WAV, etc.). For most podcast hosting platforms, this is MP3.

Step 2: Open the video file

Most audio extraction tools have a "select file," "choose file," or "import video" button built into the dashboard. Choose the video file you want to extract audio from—that will usually put the file in a timeline that you can edit. Some tools will automatically detect the audio track in your video, making the extraction process seamless.

Step 3: Extract the audio

When you're done editing, there will usually be an option to save the video as an audio file. You might see this labeled as "save as an audio file," "export audio only," or "split audio." Check the software's tutorials, FAQs, or help page to find what terminology it uses. Most tools support common formats like MP3, WAV, and M4A.

Step 4: Save your extracted audio file

Finally, confirm the audio file you want to save and choose the right file format. MP3 files are smaller and more compatible across devices, while WAV files offer higher quality but take up more space. Then, find the file on your computer and check the audio has been successfully isolated from the original video without quality loss.

7 best tools to extract audio from video

1. Descript

Descript is all-in-one audio and video editing software that lets you extract audio from video files with just a few clicks. Simply download the Mac or Windows version, import your video file, and choose the audio file under Export. The extracted audio maintains high quality and can be saved in various formats including MP3, WAV, and M4A.

Aside from helping you extract audio from video, Descript offers a bunch of magical features designed to speed up the video editing process, including automatic transcription, filler word removal, and the ability to edit your audio by editing text—perfect for creating podcasts or repurposing video content:

• Automated transcriptions (which you can edit to edit your video)
• Voice-cloning technology to fix audio mistakes
• Automatic filler word removal
• Studio Sound to remove unwanted background noise
• A built-in library of background music and sound effects

2. Wondershare

Wondershare offers a variety of video and creativity applications, several of which can strip audio from video. Filmora, for example, is Wondershare's full-featured video editing software that offers this option.

You can extract the audio from a video by importing the video file, right-clicking, and selecting the appropriate Detach Audio option. If you do not need the extra video editing functions, Wondershare also makes UniConverter for converting audio and video files quickly.

3. VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a free and open-source media player that has been around since 2001. VLC remains relevant and robust through steady development and supports almost every audio and video codec out there.

VLC provides advanced functions like downloading YouTube videos, creating video loops, and extracting high-quality audio from virtually any video format, making VLC a popular media player for audio and video-savvy users, content creators, and video editors who need reliable audio extraction capabilities.

To extract audio from video in VLC Media Player, find the Convert/Save option in the Media menu and select the video files you wish to convert. From there, you can convert to the audio format of your choice, including MP3 and FLAC. This method works for most video formats and preserves audio quality well, though it lacks advanced audio editing features.

4. Apple iMovie

iMovie is an application that comes preloaded onto most Mac machines. It's a decent video editing software for novice content creators, though other options on this list provide more robust editing solutions. For pulling audio from video files, iMovie is fully capable.

To extract audio from a video using Apple's iMovie, select the Share/Export button from the top right. Click the File option to export a video and select Audio Only as the format. This creates an M4A file by default, which is compatible with most Apple devices but may need to be converted for use with some other platforms.

5. Audacity

Audacity is a free, open-source audio editing program for a variety of platforms. This freeware staple is known for its regular updates, straightforward interface, and strong following. It may take some time to get used to the interface if you aren't familiar with audio or video editing.

To extract audio from a video in Audacity, open the video file in question. Be patient; it might take a moment to open, depending on the file size and length of the video. Once opened, select Export under File to export just the audio. You can choose between various formats including MP3, WAV, and FLAC, allowing you to balance between file size and audio quality.

6. REAPER

REAPER is a digital audio workstation (DAW) with powerful recording, editing, and music production capabilities. While REAPER has many features for professionals making music, the process of extracting audio from a video is pretty simple.

Import your video file into REAPER by dragging it into the software. Click the Export option, find the desired audio format, and save the audio. REAPER offers extensive control over audio quality settings, making it ideal for professional applications where audio fidelity is crucial.

7. Online Audio Converter

There are also online solutions for extracting audio from videos without installing additional software. One of these is Online Audio Converter from 123apps, which is a free web-based application that allows you to upload video content and convert it to audio.

Upload your file using the Open Files button, select your preferred audio format, and hit Convert. Easy peasy. The online tool supports most common video formats like MP4, MOV, and AVI, and lets you save the extracted audio as MP3, WAV, or M4A without installing any software.

Choosing the right audio format

Selecting the best file format is crucial for balancing audio quality and file size, especially if you plan to share your content online. According to research, MP3 files offer broad compatibility and smaller size but come with some loss in fidelity. On the other hand, WAV files maintain top-notch clarity at the expense of larger file sizes. If you need a combination of high quality and smaller storage requirements, FLAC can be an excellent choice. For best results, consider how your audience will consume your content and choose a format that aligns with their listening environment. If you need advanced editing or plan to mix and master the audio extensively, uncompressed or lossless formats will give you optimum headroom for adjustments.

4 factors to consider when extracting audio from video

Supported formats and quality

Before you settle on an audio extractor, confirm that it can read the video file format you want to extract audio from (MP4, MOV, FLV, AVI, etc.) and save the extracted audio in the file format you want (MP3, WAV, M4A, etc.). In other words, the software needs to be able to read the video file you import into the software, and it needs to be able to save the audio in the desired output format with the quality level you require.

You also want to consider what sort of audio quality you need. An MP3 file format is fine for online videos and social media, but if you need something better quality for podcasts or music, you'll need an audio extractor that can at least create WAV files. WAV files are uncompressed and preserve all audio details, while MP3 files are compressed and lose some quality but take up less space.

Ease of use

Take into account how comfortable you are with the program you choose. For example, if you aren't tech-savvy, opt for a more user-friendly program with fewer features.

Also, read reviews to see what sort of customer support or tutorials the program has. There will always be a learning curve with any new software, so you'll want resources to help you navigate how you use the audio extractor you choose.

Speed and efficiency

Some programs require a lot of memory or processing power or take ages to import and export files. How often you'll need to extract audio—and how powerful your computer is—will play into what sort of audio extraction tool is right for you.

Additional features

You may not need additional features—all you want is an audio extractor. But if you're looking for other tools, like an audio or video editor, you may want to look for programs that are more of an all-in-one solution, like Descript. This is especially useful if you're extracting audio to create podcasts, voiceovers, or other audio content that requires editing.

Rather than switching between multiple programs, finding one app or software that can do it all will make your life easier and save you a lot of time. This is particularly important if you regularly need to extract audio from videos for content repurposing or creating derivative works from your existing video content.

Legal and copyright considerations when extracting audio

Depending on where you live, fair use or personal use exemptions may allow you to separate audio from a video file without obtaining explicit permission. However, using that extracted audio in commercial or public-facing contexts often requires clearance from the original content owner, according to copyright basics. If you’re unsure of your rights, consult legal resources or license the material properly to avoid takedowns or demonetization on platforms such as YouTube. Public domain footage and music can be freely used for any purpose, but confirm that the content is genuinely unrestricted before extracting audio. Always keep records of your permissions and licensing agreements in case they’re needed as proof of compliance. Thankfully, many creators are turning to royalty-free libraries for background music and effects, which can be a safer alternative to extracting tracks from copyrighted sources.

How to extract audio from video with Descript

Descript is more than just an audio extractor. It's a one-stop shop for all of your video and audio editing needs—including audio extraction. Here's a step-by-step guide showing how easy it is to separate audio from video using Descript.

1. Install and open Descript

If you don't already have Descript installed, sign up to download the software. It's free to get started. The free plan includes up to one hour of transcription a month. Once you set up an account, you'll see a button to download and install the application (it's a powerful tool, so it only works on desktop).

2. Create a new project

From Descript's dashboard, press the + New button and select Project from the dropdown menu. You will be prompted to give your new project a name. Once you do, press the Create Project button.

3. Import the video file

In your newly created project, drag and drop the video file into the box with the microphone icon. Alternatively, you can press the Choose a File button to browse to the video file location.

4. Export the audio file

Once the file loads, on Windows, click on the File menu at the top of the application and select Export. On Mac, click the Share button, then the Export tab. In the File Export group, select the Audio button.

Select your preferred audio file format—such as M4A, WAV, or MP3 format. MP3 and M4A will be smaller files with the MP3 file being the most universally compatible with devices. WAV files are much larger in size but offer lossless audio quality, making them ideal for professional audio work or when you need to preserve every detail of the original sound.

Bonus: Edit extracted audio in Descript

If you want to extract audio to edit it without editing the video, Descript makes that easy, too.

Open your project and select Project Files in the sidebar on the left. Hover your cursor over the video file and right click. Now choose Detach audio.

You'll see the audio and video waveforms stacked right below the video window. You can make changes to the audio without changing the video. This option is great for adding a voiceover, music, or other sound to your video.

Or you can create a whole new Composition (file) with just the audio. Just right click on the audio waveform, and click Copy. Now click File at the top of the Sidebar, select New, and choose Composition.

Paste your audio file next to where it says Speaker. You'll see the transcript from your video, and below that, the waveform. Edit either or both to your heart's desire.

Along with an audio extractor, Descript also has an online transcription tool, and features like text-to-voice, filler word removal, and AI Voices to generate voices on-demand. If you're looking for a tool to extract audio from video and edit, optimize, and publish that audio, check out Descript.

Frequently asked questions about extracting audio from video

How can I extract audio from video on mobile?

Converting a video file into an audio file using a mobile device will vary depending on whether you're using a device that uses iOS (iPhone) or an Android OS. You can use Audio Extractor from the Google Play Store for Android, or the MP3 Converter app from the App Store for iOS. Both apps allow you to extract audio from most common video formats and save in MP3 or other audio formats.

Can I extract audio from any video format?

You can use an online audio extractor app like Descript to retrieve sound from video. Simply add your video file and export it as an audio file. Online extractors are convenient when you need to quickly extract audio without installing software, though they may have file size limitations or fewer format options compared to desktop applications.

How do I extract background music from a video?

1. Open Descript's video editor
2. Import or choose MP4 video file you want to extract music from
3. Use the audio extraction tool to remove background music
4. Export the new file in your preferred file format

How can I fix audio sync issues after extraction?

Sometimes the audio track ends up slightly delayed or advanced compared to the video. According to common troubleshooting tips, you can address this by adjusting frame rates or manually realigning the audio waveform. Many offline video editors, including Adobe Premiere Pro, let you nudge the audio track until it matches perfectly. If the sample rates are mismatched, convert the audio to the same sample rate as the video to stabilize playback. Always preview the final output to confirm that the synchronization has been fully restored.

What is the best tool for extracting audio on mobile vs. desktop?

Deciding on a tool depends largely on your operating system and the level of features you need. For iOS devices, apps like InShot or Video to Audio Converter allow quick conversions on the go. Android users often opt for Video to MP3 Converter or InShot, which provide a straightforward extraction process. On desktops, offline software solutions like VLC Media Player or Descript offer more advanced audio editing and higher-quality output options. If you’re handling sensitive or large files, desktop tools can offer faster processing and enhanced privacy by keeping your files local.