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

Convert MPEG to M4A - Extract Audio from Video Files

Extract audio from MPEG videos. Get M4A files ready for iTunes and Apple devices.

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 the Audio from Your MPEG Video?

You have an MPEG video file but only need the audio track. Maybe it's a music video, a lecture recording, or a podcast that was saved as video. Converting to M4A extracts just the audio in a format that works seamlessly with iTunes, iPhones, and iPads.

MPEG is a legacy video format that's been around since the 1990s. M4A is Apple's preferred audio container using AAC compression-it delivers better sound quality than MP3 at the same file size. In our testing, M4A files are typically 20-30% smaller than equivalent MP3s while maintaining clearer audio.

How to Convert MPEG to M4A

  1. Upload your MPEG file - Drag and drop or click to select your video
  2. Select M4A as output - The converter extracts the audio track automatically
  3. Download your M4A - Your audio file is ready for iTunes or any Apple device

The entire process happens in your browser. No software installation, no account creation-just upload and convert.

Why Choose M4A Over Other Formats?

M4A uses Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), which Apple adopted as their standard audio format. Here's how it compares:

  • Better compression than MP3 - Same quality at smaller file sizes
  • Native iTunes support - Imports directly without conversion
  • Apple device compatibility - iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod
  • Metadata support - Album art, track info, and chapters preserved

If you're working within the Apple ecosystem, M4A is the natural choice. For broader compatibility across non-Apple devices, consider MPEG to MP3 conversion instead.

Common Use Cases

Music Video Audio Extraction

Downloaded a music video but want to listen to just the audio? Extract the track to M4A and add it to your music library. The quality stays intact since you're not re-encoding video.

Lecture and Podcast Conversion

Educational content often comes as MPEG video even when there's no visual component worth watching. Convert to M4A and listen during your commute or workout.

Building iTunes Libraries

M4A is iTunes' native format. Extracted audio imports seamlessly with full metadata support, unlike some other formats that require additional processing.

Understanding the Formats

About MPEG Files

MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) is a video container format developed in the early 1990s. It uses lossy compression for both video and audio tracks. MPEG files typically have .mpg or .mpeg extensions and were common for DVDs and early digital video.

About M4A Files

M4A is an audio-only container using MPEG-4 Part 14. It typically contains AAC-encoded audio, though it can also hold Apple Lossless (ALAC) content. Apple adopted M4A to distinguish audio files from video M4P files in iTunes.

For other MPEG conversion options, including video format changes, check our full converter.

Quality and Settings

When extracting audio from MPEG to M4A, the quality depends on the original source. Our converter preserves the audio quality present in your MPEG file-we don't artificially enhance or degrade it.

Most MPEG files contain audio at 128-320 kbps. The extracted M4A maintains this bitrate. If you need lossless audio, the source file would need to contain uncompressed audio, which is rare in MPEG containers.

Works on Any Device

Our MPEG to M4A converter runs entirely in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android tablets

No downloads required. Your files are processed locally and never uploaded to external servers.

Pro Tip

If your MPEG file has multiple audio tracks (like different languages), the converter extracts the primary track. For specific track selection, you'd need desktop software like VLC or HandBrake.

Common Mistake

Expecting lossless quality from MPEG sources. MPEG audio is already compressed, so the extracted M4A will match that quality-not exceed it. For truly lossless audio, you need an uncompressed source.

Best For

Apple ecosystem users who want extracted audio to sync seamlessly with iTunes, iPhone, iPad, or Apple Music libraries.

Not Recommended

If you need maximum compatibility with older devices or car stereos, MP3 is safer. Some older systems don't recognize M4A. Also skip M4A if you're working with Android-focused workflows-MP3 or OGG may be more practical.

Frequently Asked Questions

M4A is an audio container format developed by Apple using MPEG-4 Part 14 specification. It typically contains AAC-encoded audio and is the native format for iTunes and Apple devices. M4A offers better compression than MP3 at equivalent quality levels.

The conversion extracts the existing audio track from your MPEG file. Quality depends on the original source. We don't re-compress the audio unnecessarily, so you get the same quality that was in the MPEG file.

Yes. Windows 10 and 11 support M4A playback natively. Windows Media Player, iTunes for Windows, VLC, and most modern audio players handle M4A files without issues.

M4A uses AAC codec which is more efficient than MP3's compression. At the same bitrate, M4A typically sounds better. M4A also supports more metadata and chapter markers. MP3 has broader device compatibility, especially with older hardware.

Yes. Upload multiple MPEG files and convert them all to M4A in one batch. This is useful when extracting audio from a series of videos or lectures.

Absolutely. M4A is iTunes' native audio format. Your converted files import directly with full support for metadata, album art, and organization features.

Yes, they're the same format with different file extensions. Both .mpeg and .mpg files use MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 compression. Our converter handles both extensions identically.

Yes. Our converter works in mobile browsers including Safari on iPhone and Chrome on Android. Upload your MPEG file and download the converted M4A directly to your device.

M4A contains only audio while MPEG includes video. Video typically accounts for 80-90% of a video file's size, so the extracted audio is much smaller.

MPEG Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.