M4A to MP3 Converter
Convert M4A files, such as iPhone voice memos and iTunes songs, to MP3 in your browser. Pick 128 to 320 kbps, trim the start and end. No upload.
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Your files never leave your device
About this tool
This M4A to MP3 converter turns M4A audio into MP3, the one format every car stereo, MP3 player, Windows app and upload form accepts. M4A is simply AAC audio inside an MPEG-4 container. Apple uses it for iPhone Voice Memos, GarageBand exports and songs bought on iTunes, and many Android recorders and messaging apps save it too. The conversion runs inside your browser, so a private recording never leaves your device.
How to convert M4A to MP3
- Drop the M4A file on the page or click to choose it.
- MP3 is already selected. Pick a bitrate: 128, 192, 256 or 320 kbps.
- Optionally enter a start and end time, or tick Mono for a voice recording.
- Click Convert to MP3, play the result and download it.
M4A vs MP3 at a glance
| M4A (AAC) | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sound at the same size | Slightly better | Very good from 192 kbps |
| Plays on Apple devices | Yes | Yes |
| Older car stereos and MP3 players | Often not | Yes |
| Accepted by upload forms and DJ software | Sometimes | Almost always |
Which bitrate fits your M4A?
- Voice memos and lectures: 128 kbps with Mono ticked. Speech stays clear and ten minutes take only about 9.4 MB.
- iTunes songs (AAC at 256 kbps): choose 256 or 320 kbps so nothing more is lost in the second compression.
- Podcasts and audiobooks: 128 kbps is plenty.
Both formats are lossy, so a conversion can never sound better than the M4A. Matching or beating its bitrate keeps the loss inaudible. The audio panel shows the codec, channels and sample rate of your file before you convert.
Good to know
- Songs with copy protection (old iTunes files ending in .m4p) cannot be converted.
- To keep only the chorus for a ringtone, type the start and end, for example 0:45 and 1:15.
- Need the exact original quality for editing? Choose WAV instead of MP3.
Want the words from a voice memo rather than the audio? Use speech to text. Have a video instead of an M4A? The MP4 to MP3 converter pulls the sound out of it.
Features
- Converts M4A (AAC) audio to MP3 that plays on any device
- Works with iPhone Voice Memos and iTunes song files
- Choose 128, 192, 256 or 320 kbps
- Trim the start and end before converting
- Mono option for voice memos and podcasts
- Runs in your browser: your audio is never uploaded
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert M4A to MP3 for free?
Drop the M4A file on this page, keep MP3 selected, choose a bitrate such as 192 kbps and click Convert to MP3. The MP3 is ready to download in seconds, with no sign-up.
Can I convert an iPhone voice memo to MP3?
Yes. Share the memo from the Voice Memos app to Files or AirDrop it to your computer, then drop the M4A here. 128 kbps is plenty for voice and keeps the file small.
Does converting M4A to MP3 lose quality?
A little, because both formats are lossy. Choose a bitrate equal to or higher than the original, such as 256 or 320 kbps for iTunes songs, and the difference is inaudible.
Is my audio uploaded?
No. The conversion runs entirely in your browser on your own device. The M4A file never leaves your computer or phone.
Why will my M4A or M4P file not convert?
Files bought from iTunes before 2009 may end in .m4p and carry copy protection, which cannot be converted. Damaged files or files with no audio track will also fail.
Can I convert M4A to WAV instead?
Yes. Choose WAV as the format before converting. WAV is uncompressed, so the file is much larger but ideal for editing in Audacity or a DAW.