How to use the M4A to MP3 converter
- Choose your M4A file or drop it on the box.
- Pick an audio quality. 192 kbps is the usual choice; 320 kbps for music you care about.
- Click "Convert to MP3". A progress meter shows how far along it is.
- Download your MP3 and listen to it right on the page.
Why convert M4A to MP3?
M4A plays well on Apple devices but not on some car stereos, older MP3 players and websites. MP3 works everywhere.
- M4A: some car stereos and older MP3 players do not support it.
- MP3: plays on every device.
- MP3: small files.
M4A uses AAC; converting to MP3 at the same or a higher bitrate (192–256 kbps) keeps the sound the same to most ears.
M4A vs MP3
| M4A | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MPEG-4 Audio | MPEG-1 Audio Layer III |
| Type | Audio | Audio |
| Created by | Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and Apple (2001) | the Fraunhofer Institute and MPEG (1993) |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Codec | AAC (or ALAC) | MP3 |
| Best for | iTunes music, voice memos and phone recordings | Music, podcasts, audiobooks and ringtones |
| Plays on | iPhone, Mac, Android, Windows 10 and later, and browsers | Every phone, computer, car stereo, smart speaker and browser |
Does converting M4A to MP3 lose quality?
Both formats are lossy, so converting adds a small amount of loss. Use the same or a higher bitrate than your M4A (192 kbps covers most files) and the change is inaudible.
How long does it take?
A few seconds for a song, and under a minute for an hour-long recording on most computers.
What is an M4A file?
M4A is an audio-only MP4 file, usually holding AAC sound. It is the default for iTunes, Apple Music downloads, iPhone voice memos and many Android recorders. AAC sounds slightly better than MP3 at the same bitrate.
What is an MP3 file?
MP3 is the most widely used audio format in the world. It removes sounds people are unlikely to hear, shrinking a song to about a tenth of its CD size. At 192 kbps or higher most listeners cannot tell it from the original, and every device plays it. Its patents expired in 2017, so it is now free to use.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay or sign up to use the M4A to MP3 converter?
No. There is no account, no payment and no watermark. The only limit is 1 GB per file, set by what browsers can handle.
Do you keep a copy of my files?
We never receive them. All processing happens on your device, so there is nothing for us to store or delete.
Will the MP3 sound as good as the M4A?
Both formats are lossy, so converting adds a small amount of loss. Use the same or a higher bitrate than your M4A (192 kbps covers most files) and the change is inaudible.
Can I convert MP3 back to M4A?
Yes, use the MP3 to M4A converter.
An M4A will not play in a car or old MP3 player. What should I do?
Convert M4A to MP3.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes. Open the page in your phone's browser and choose a file. Phones have less memory than computers, so very large files are better converted on a laptop or desktop.