Need Audio from Your MKV Videos?
MKV files are excellent video containers, but sometimes you just need the audio. Maybe it's a concert recording, a podcast saved as video, or dialogue you want to listen to on the go. Converting to WMA extracts that audio in a format optimized for Windows devices.
WMA (Windows Media Audio) was developed by Microsoft and works seamlessly with Windows Media Player, Windows phones, and countless Windows-based applications. If you're in a Windows environment, WMA is a natural choice for extracted audio. For other MKV conversion options, we support multiple output formats.
How to Convert MKV to WMA
- Upload your MKV file - Drag and drop or click to select your video
- Confirm WMA as output - WMA is pre-selected for Windows-optimized audio
- Download your audio - Get your extracted WMA file instantly
The entire process happens in your browser. No software to install, no accounts to create. Upload, convert, download-done.
Why Extract Audio as WMA?
MKV is a multimedia container that can hold video, audio, and subtitles all in one file. When you convert MKV to WMA, you're extracting just the audio portion and encoding it in Microsoft's audio format. Here's why WMA makes sense:
- Windows integration - Native support in Windows Media Player without additional codecs
- Efficient compression - WMA typically achieves better quality than MP3 at the same bitrate
- DRM support - For professional applications requiring digital rights management
- Smaller files - Good compression means more audio in less storage space
In our testing, WMA files at 128 kbps often sound comparable to MP3 files at 160 kbps, making it an efficient choice for storage-conscious users.
MKV vs WMA: Understanding the Formats
These formats serve completely different purposes, which is why extraction makes more sense than traditional conversion:
| Feature | MKV | WMA |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Multimedia container | Audio-only format |
| Contains | Video + audio + subtitles | Audio only |
| File size | Large (video included) | Small (audio only) |
| Best for | Movies, TV shows, recordings | Music, podcasts, audiobooks |
| Windows support | Requires codec packs | Native support |
When you convert MKV to WMA, you're essentially discarding the video portion and keeping just the audio track, encoded in a Windows-friendly format.
Common Use Cases
Music Videos to Audio Files
Downloaded a music video in MKV format? Extract the audio as WMA and add it to your music library. Windows Media Player will recognize it immediately without any codec installations.
Lectures and Presentations
Recorded lectures or webinars saved as MKV can be converted to WMA for audio-only playback. Listen during commutes without draining battery on video rendering.
Podcast Backups
Video podcasts saved in MKV format can be stripped down to WMA audio. In our testing, a 500MB video file typically produces a 30-50MB audio file, saving significant storage.
Windows Media Center Integration
For users with Windows Media Center setups, WMA files integrate seamlessly into media libraries without additional configuration.
Quality Considerations
The audio quality of your output depends on the source audio within the MKV file. If the original MKV contains high-bitrate audio (like FLAC or high-quality AAC), your WMA extraction will retain excellent quality. If the source audio was already compressed, the WMA output will match that quality level.
We use WMAV2 codec by default, which offers the best balance of quality and compatibility. Typical output bitrates range from 128-192 kbps, suitable for most listening scenarios. In our testing, these settings produce audio indistinguishable from the original for casual listening.
Alternative Audio Formats
WMA is excellent for Windows environments, but other formats might suit your needs better:
- MKV to MP3 - Universal compatibility, works everywhere
- MKV to WAV - Uncompressed audio for editing
- MKV to FLAC - Lossless compression for audiophiles
- MKV to AAC - Better for Apple devices and modern streaming
Choose based on where you'll use the audio. WMA remains the optimal choice for Windows-centric workflows.
Batch Conversion
Have multiple MKV files to convert? Upload them all at once. Our converter processes files in parallel, extracting audio from each and delivering WMA files for your entire collection. No need to convert one at a time-process your whole folder in one session.
Works on Any Device
Our MKV to WMA converter runs entirely in your browser:
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- Tablets and smartphones
No downloads required. No plugins needed. Just upload your MKV file and get WMA audio back.
Privacy and Security
Your files never leave your device during conversion. All processing happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. We don't upload your videos to any server, which means faster conversion and complete privacy. Your MKV files and extracted WMA audio stay on your computer throughout the process.