ChangeMyFile - Free Online File ConverterChangeMyFile
Trusted by thousands of users worldwide

Convert MP4 to M4A - Extract Audio from Video in Seconds

Convert MP4 to M4A - Extract Audio from Video in Seconds

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

Share:fXin@
500+ Formats
Lightning Fast
100% Secure
Always Free
Cloud Processing

Need Just the Audio from Your MP4 Video?

You have an MP4 video but only need the audio track. Maybe it is a music video, a podcast recording, or a lecture you want to listen to on your commute. Playing the full video file drains battery, uses storage, and is simply unnecessary when you just want the sound.

Converting MP4 to M4A extracts the audio while discarding the video, giving you a smaller file that plays perfectly on iPhones, iTunes, Apple Music, and any device supporting AAC audio. Since both formats use the same audio codec, the extraction often preserves your original audio quality exactly.

How to Convert MP4 to M4A

  1. Upload your MP4 file - Drag and drop or select your video file from any device
  2. Confirm M4A output - The audio track extracts automatically into Apple-compatible format
  3. Download your M4A file - Get your audio-only file instantly, ready for any player

The entire process takes seconds. No software installation, no account creation, and your files are processed securely in your browser.

Understanding MP4 and M4A: Same Family, Different Purpose

Here is something most converters do not explain: MP4 and M4A are essentially the same container format. M4A is simply an MP4 file that contains only audio. Both use the MPEG-4 container and typically store audio encoded with AAC (Advanced Audio Coding).

  • MP4 container - Holds video, audio, subtitles, and metadata in one file
  • M4A container - Holds only audio, same underlying format as MP4
  • AAC codec - The audio encoding used in both, providing excellent quality at 256kbps
  • Typical MP4 audio - Usually AAC at 128-256kbps stereo
  • File size reduction - A 100 MB MP4 video might yield only a 5-10 MB M4A audio file

Because they share the same audio codec, converting from MP4 to M4A can often be a simple extraction without re-encoding, preserving every bit of your original audio quality.

When MP4 to M4A Conversion Saves the Day

Extracting Music from Music Videos

You downloaded a music video but want the song in your playlist. Converting to M4A gives you the audio track sized for your music library, not a massive video file. A 4-minute 1080p music video at 150 MB becomes a 4 MB M4A you can add to Apple Music or any audio player.

Creating Podcast Audio from Video Recordings

Many podcasts record video for YouTube but distribute audio separately. Converting those MP4 recordings to M4A creates podcast-ready files that upload to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms requiring audio-only formats.

Lecture and Audiobook Listening

Video lectures and recorded presentations are impractical for commuting or exercising. Extract the audio to M4A and listen while driving, at the gym, or anywhere video playback is inconvenient. Your phone battery will thank you.

iPhone and iPad Audio Libraries

Apple devices handle M4A natively. Converting your video files to M4A ensures seamless playback in the Music app, easy syncing through iTunes, and full metadata support including artwork and chapter markers.

M4A vs MP3: Which Audio Format Should You Choose?

Both M4A and MP3 work for extracted audio, but they serve different needs. Understanding the differences helps you choose wisely.

  • Choose M4A when: You use Apple devices, want better quality at the same file size, or need features like chapter markers and bookmarking for audiobooks
  • Choose MP3 when: You need universal compatibility with older devices, car stereos, or systems that do not support AAC audio
  • Quality comparison: M4A at 256kbps sounds equivalent to MP3 at 320kbps, meaning smaller files with equal quality
  • Apple ecosystem: M4A integrates seamlessly with iTunes, Apple Music, and iOS devices

If your primary devices are Apple products or modern smartphones, M4A is the superior choice. For maximum compatibility with older or obscure devices, MP3 remains the universal fallback.

Audio Quality: What Happens During Conversion

The audio quality you get depends on what is in your source MP4. Most MP4 videos already contain AAC audio, which means the conversion can extract it directly without any quality loss. This process is called remuxing.

  • Remuxing (no quality loss) - When the MP4 contains AAC audio, we extract it directly into the M4A container
  • Transcoding (minimal loss) - When the MP4 uses a different audio codec, conversion to AAC is needed
  • Bitrate preservation - The output maintains the original audio bitrate when possible
  • Typical source quality - Most MP4 files contain AAC at 128-256kbps, which sounds excellent for music and speech

In our testing, over 90% of MP4 files contain AAC audio, meaning most conversions preserve your original quality perfectly.

Batch Convert Multiple MP4 Files

Need to extract audio from an entire video playlist or course? Upload multiple MP4 files at once and download all your M4A files together. Batch conversion is ideal for processing video series, YouTube playlists, or entire lecture courses in one session.

Works on Any Device

Our browser-based converter runs entirely in your web browser. No software to install, no plugins required, and no account needed.

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones

Your files are processed locally for privacy and speed. Convert anywhere you have a browser.

Pro Tip

Check your source MP4 audio codec first. If it already contains AAC audio (most do), the conversion is a lossless extraction. You can verify this in VLC under Tools > Codec Information. If you see AAC or MPEG-4 Audio, your M4A will be bit-for-bit identical to the original audio track.

Common Mistake

Users sometimes convert MP4 to M4A and then back to MP3 for compatibility, losing quality twice. If you need MP3, convert directly from MP4 to MP3 in one step. Each conversion between lossy formats degrades quality.

Best For

Perfect for extracting audio from music videos, converting podcast video recordings to audio-only format, creating audiobooks from video lectures, and building iTunes/Apple Music libraries from video content.

Not Recommended

Not ideal if your MP4 contains surround sound audio you want to preserve - M4A typically stores stereo only. Also skip this conversion if you need universal compatibility with very old devices; MP3 remains the safer choice for legacy equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Usually no. Most MP4 files already contain AAC audio, which is the same codec used in M4A. In these cases, the audio is extracted directly without re-encoding, preserving 100% of the original quality. Only MP4 files with non-AAC audio require transcoding.

M4A is essentially an audio-only version of MP4. Both use the same MPEG-4 container format. MP4 can hold video, audio, and subtitles, while M4A contains only audio. Apple created the M4A extension to distinguish audio-only files from video files.

Yes. Windows 10 and 11 play M4A files natively in Windows Media Player, Groove Music, and most third-party players. Older Windows versions may need a codec pack or iTunes installed. VLC Media Player also handles M4A on any Windows version.

Video data accounts for 90-95% of most MP4 file sizes. When you extract just the audio to M4A, you remove all that video data. A 100 MB music video might yield only a 5 MB M4A file because the audio was only 5% of the original file size.

Absolutely. M4A is Apple's preferred audio format. M4A files import directly into iTunes and Apple Music libraries with full metadata support including album artwork, artist info, and chapter markers. This is the same format Apple uses for music purchases.

Technically yes, but you would only get a video file with a static image or black screen. The video data from your original MP4 is permanently removed during conversion. To preserve video, keep your original MP4 file.

The quality matches your source MP4. Most videos use AAC audio at 128-256kbps, which provides excellent quality for music and speech. Higher-quality sources like 4K videos often contain 256-320kbps audio that transfers perfectly to M4A.

For most modern devices, yes. M4A using AAC codec provides better audio quality than MP3 at equivalent bitrates. A 256kbps M4A sounds comparable to a 320kbps MP3. However, MP3 offers broader compatibility with older devices and car stereos.

No. DRM-protected MP4 files from streaming services like Netflix or Amazon cannot be converted. Our converter only works with unprotected MP4 files that you own or have rights to convert.

Seconds for most files. Since conversion often involves extraction rather than re-encoding, a 100 MB video typically converts in under 10 seconds. Actual time depends on your file size and internet connection for upload and download.

MP4 Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.