How to use the MOV to MP3 converter
- Choose your MOV video or drop it on the box.
- Pick an audio quality. 192 kbps is the usual choice; 320 kbps for music you care about, 128 kbps for speech.
- 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 MOV to MP3?
iPhone and Mac recordings are saved as MOV. Converting MOV to MP3 gives you the sound of a voice memo, interview, performance or class recording in a file that plays anywhere.
- MOV: iPhone MOV files often use HEVC, which some Windows PCs and older Android phones cannot play.
- MP3: plays on every device.
- MP3: small files.
iPhone MOV files usually have AAC audio at 48 kHz; 192 kbps MP3 keeps it sounding just as clear.
MOV vs MP3
| MOV | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | QuickTime File Format | MPEG-1 Audio Layer III |
| Type | Video | Audio |
| Created by | Apple (1991) | the Fraunhofer Institute and MPEG (1993) |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Typical codecs | H.264 or HEVC + AAC | MP3 |
| Best for | iPhone and Mac recordings, video editing and camera footage | Music, podcasts, audiobooks and ringtones |
| Plays on | macOS, iPhone, iPad and QuickTime Player; most Windows players need a codec pack for HEVC MOV files | Every phone, computer, car stereo, smart speaker and browser |
Does converting MOV to MP3 lose quality?
Only the sound is kept and re-encoded as MP3. Video soundtracks are usually AAC at 128–256 kbps, so choosing 192 kbps or more keeps the MP3 sounding the same as the video.
How long does it take?
Fast. Only the sound is decoded, so even a long video usually converts in well under a minute.
What is a MOV file?
MOV is Apple's QuickTime container. iPhones and Macs save videos as MOV, usually with HEVC (H.265) or H.264 video. It can also hold editing codecs such as ProRes, which is why Final Cut Pro and many cameras use it.
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
Is the MOV to MP3 converter free?
Yes, completely free, with no sign-up and no watermark. Files up to 1 GB each can be converted, and there is no daily limit.
Is my file uploaded to a server?
No. The converter runs inside your browser using WebAssembly, so your file is processed on your own device and never sent to us or anyone else.
Will the MP3 sound as good as the MOV?
Only the sound is kept and re-encoded as MP3. Video soundtracks are usually AAC at 128–256 kbps, so choosing 192 kbps or more keeps the MP3 sounding the same as the video.
Can I convert MP3 back to MOV?
Yes, use the MOV Converter and choose MOV as the output.
A MOV from an iPhone will not play on Windows. What should I do?
It is probably HEVC. Convert it to MP4 (H.264) and it will play anywhere.
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.