Converting a YouTube video to an MP3 file is an easy way to save any multimedia information in audio format, be it a song, an inspiring speech, or a humorous scene. There are several options for converting a YouTube video to an MP3 file: online services allow you to do without downloading software to your computer, but you can also use browser extensions and special programs if you don't mind downloading applications. The question is purely a matter of personal preference, since all three methods allow you to get a file of approximately comparable quality.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Online Services
Step 1. Go to YouTube and find the video you need to convert
Step 2. Play the video
It is important to make sure that you are on the correct page and that the video is playing so that the correct link to the video appears in the address bar.
Step 3. Copy the video URL from the address bar
To do this, go to the address bar (in the center at the top of the browser window), select the URL, right-click on it and select “Copy”, or press Ctrl + C (for PC) or Command + R (for Mac).
Step 4. Find an online service to convert YouTube to MP3
Open a new browser tab or window and type “convert YouTube to MP3” in the search bar. In the results of such a search, there will probably be a lot of online services. Different sites offer different MP3 quality, so choose the best free option. These sites are constantly changing, so it is advisable to read the current reviews of the service.
- If the site offers a paid service, then this is a sure sign of fraud. Choose another service that does not require conversion fees.
- Be careful when choosing a site so as not to fall for the tricks of scammers. To begin with, it is recommended to search for information by the name of the service and only then follow the link.
- Another way to check the safety of a site: enter “https://google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=“in the address bar before the link to the conversion site.
Step 5. Paste the URL into the corresponding field of the website to convert
After choosing a service, open the site page and paste the link to the video in a special field (the exact location of such a line and the design style depend on the site, but usually everything is intuitive). If you cannot find the input field, then study the “Help” section on the site.
Right-click and choose Paste, or press Ctrl + V (for PC) or Command + V (for Mac) to paste the video link
Step 6. Click the "Convert" button
After pasting the video URL into the special field of the site, click the convert button. It may be called something else (for example, “Start” or “Go”), but usually everything is intuitive. If necessary, study the "Help" section on the website.
Step 7. Wait for the file to be converted
Depending on the connection speed and the size of the video, the conversion process will take from 30 seconds to several minutes.
Step 8. Download the converted file
When the process of converting the clip to MP3 file is complete, the “Download” button should appear on the screen. Click the button to download the file to your computer.
Step 9. Find the file in the Downloads folder
If you do not use other settings, the file will be saved in the Downloads folder.
Step 10. Play the MP3 file
After the MP3 file is downloaded to your computer, you can play it using a media player (such as Windows Media Player or iTunes) and add it to your music library.
Method 2 of 3: Browser Extension
Step 1. Enter “YouTube to MP3 browser extension” in the search bar
This will display a list of suitable browser extensions (or “add-ons”). For more accurate search results, enter the name of your browser.
For example, if you are using Safari, enter “YouTube to MP3 Safari browser extension”
Step 2. Select an extension
The search engine will find many suitable options, including free ones. Extensions differ from each other in ease of use, MP3 quality and privacy (spyware-free). Study the reviews for the extension to choose a quality and reliable add-on.
- Choose an extension that does not slow down your browser too much, and does not place spyware or unwanted software on your computer.
- The first signs of spyware are pop-up ads and spam, changing the browser home page, and navigating to unfamiliar pages.
Step 3. Download the extension
Many extensions have multiple versions for different browsers. Download the appropriate version, taking into account the name and version number of your browser.
- The procedure for checking the browser version depends on your operating system (Windows, Linux or Mac) and the type of browser. If you do not know how to check the browser version, then enter “how to check the version in” in the search bar.
- For example, for Safari on a Mac, you open a browser window, then click the word “Safari” in the upper left corner of your desktop next to the apple icon. Then a drop-down menu will open, in which you should select the first item "About Safari", after which a small pop-up window will appear on the screen with information about the browser, including the version number.
Step 4. Follow the installation instructions
Click “Download” on the extension page to start the installation process. The installation process for different extensions may differ slightly, so follow the prompts.
Sometimes, after installing an extension, a browser restart is required, so bookmark or remember the names of open pages so that you can return to them after restarting
Step 5. Go to YouTube and find the video you need to convert
The installed extension icon will be shown next to the video window (above or below, but some extensions may also appear on the top right).
If you can't find the extension's icon, go to the extension's website (from where you downloaded the add-on) and read the instructions or view the screenshots to see where the additional buttons should appear on the YouTube page
Step 6. Convert video to MP3
Click on the extension button to convert the movie to MP3 file. The audio track of the video in MP3 format is downloaded to your computer.
Step 7. Find the file in the Downloads folder
If you do not use other settings, the file will be saved in the Downloads folder, but this is not always the case.
If you can't find the file, see the extension's help page. Good extensions are not complete without detailed instructions
Step 8. Play MP3 file
After the MP3 file is downloaded to your computer, you can play it using a media player (such as Windows Media Player or iTunes) and add it to your music library.
Method 3 of 3: Special Program
Step 1. Enter “YouTube to MP3 conversion program” in the search bar
This will display a list of YouTube to MP3 conversion software that you can download to your computer.
Step 2. Select a program
The search engine will find many suitable options, including free ones. The software differs from each other in ease of use, MP3 quality and privacy. Study the reviews for the program to choose a high-quality and reliable application.
- You should choose a program that does not slow down your computer too much, and does not place spyware or viruses on it.
The first signs of spyware are pop-up ads and spam, changing the browser home page, and navigating to unfamiliar pages
Step 3. Download the program
Many programs have several versions for different operating systems. Download the correct version of the application for your specific OS.
- Make sure the program is compatible with your version of the operating system. If you do not know how to check the version of the operating system, then enter “how to check the version” in the search bar.
- For example, to check your Mac operating system version, click the apple icon in the upper left corner of your desktop. Then a drop-down menu will open, in which you should select the first item: "About this Mac". A small pop-up window will appear on the screen with information about the computer, including the name (OS X) and the version of the operating system.
Step 4. Download the conversion software
Click “Download” on the program's website to start the installation process. The installation process is different for different applications, so follow the prompts.
- During the installation process, some programs offer to download other software or third-party toolbars that are not part of the conversion program. Most likely you just don't need them. Usually, to cancel the download of third-party programs, it is enough to uncheck these boxes during the installation process.
- Sometimes, after installing a program, a computer restart is required, so save everything you need and close unnecessary programs before starting the installation.
Step 5. Go to YouTube and find the video you need to convert
Step 6. Copy the video URL from the address bar
To do this, go to the address bar (centered at the top of the browser window), select the URL, right-click on it and select “Copy”, or press Ctrl + C (for PC) or Command + C (for Mac).
Step 7. Paste the URL in the program window
Run the program for converting and paste the URL of the video into the corresponding window (look for the prompt “Insert URL” or something similar). Right-click and choose Paste, or press Ctrl + V (for PC) or Command + V (for Mac) to paste the video link.
Step 8. Select the download quality
The conversion program may offer several download options. The higher the quality, the larger the file size (a high-quality file will take up more space on your computer's hard disk, but on the other hand, the sound quality will be much better).
You can always go back and download a higher quality version of a video by repeating the entire download and quality selection process. Feel free to experiment with file sizes
Step 9. Check the file name is correct
Some converting software will automatically fill in the song information - artist, song title, album and release date. Please make sure the data is correct before downloading or converting.
Step 10. Select a folder to download
By default, MP3 files are downloaded to the Music folder. Check the path to save the MP3 file by looking at the folder address in “Options” or “Tools> Options” of the converting software. Make sure the output file will be saved to the correct folder.
Step 11. Download the file
Once you've selected your file, quality options, and a download folder, it's time to start uploading your video. The converter will download the YouTube video and then convert the data to MP3 file. The whole process will take no more than a couple of minutes, unless a very large file is selected for download (for example, a presentation that lasts about an hour).
Step 12. Play the file
Once downloaded, the MP3 file will be located in the previously specified folder. It can be played using a media player (such as Windows Media Player or iTunes) and added to your music library.
Advice
- Some videos (for example, video clips of popular songs protected by copyright) are protected from converting and downloading programs. If you are unable to download a song from a video, then try to find another version of the video that is not protected from downloading.
- When copying a link to a video, make sure the correct page is open and the video plays so that the correct link appears in the address bar.
- If after you install a browser extension or conversion application, extra programs appear on your computer, then follow our recommendations to get rid of the malware.
Warnings
- Make sure that not upload content that is under the supervision of Intellectual Property Owners who are actively enforcing damages. Some companies may sue you for uploading samples of their intellectual property. They are authorized to request from YouTube all IP addresses from which downloads originated, and YouTube is required to provide such IP addresses. Never upload videos without clear and unambiguous permission from the owner before start the download process.
- When converting from YouTube to MP3, the final audio files are rarely of good quality. If you want to get a high quality sound file, then it is better to buy it from an online store (for example, Amazon or iTunes) or directly from the artist's website.
- Unlike torrents, there are no legal penalties for downloading and converting YouTube videos to MP3 files today, and downloading songs from copyrighted videos can backfire. Therefore, at the moment, such an action is a safer alternative to downloading from torrents (in the context of illegal downloads).