How to Convert M4A to MP3 for Free (and What M4A Actually Is)

You have an M4A file: a voice memo, a song from your Music library or an export from an app. But the upload form, your producer or your software wants an MP3. No problem, that takes seconds. The catch is that not every M4A is the same, and that decides which format you should pick. Here is what M4A actually is, how to convert it for free and what to watch out for.

What is an M4A file?

M4A is not a codec but a wrapper: an MP4 file that only holds audio. What sits inside that wrapper can differ. Usually it is one of these two:

• AAC: compressed audio, just like MP3. Some information is thrown away to keep the file small. The Library of Congress gives the example that Apple uses the .m4a extension for AAC recordings made on an iPhone.
• Apple Lossless (ALAC): lossless compression. Everything that was recorded is still there. According to the PRONOM format registry, Apple Lossless is also stored in an MP4 wrapper with the .m4a extension.

So the extension alone does not tell you whether a file is compressed or lossless. A rule of thumb: an Apple Lossless file is a lot bigger than an AAC version of the same song.

Where do M4A files come from?

• Voice Memos on your iPhone or Mac. Recordings are saved as .m4a. In the app's Audio Quality setting you can choose between Compressed and Lossless. Read more in how to convert a voice memo to MP3 or WAV.
• Your Music library (formerly iTunes). Songs you imported or bought are often stored as AAC or Apple Lossless.
• Other apps and recorders that export AAC. Those files often end in .m4a too.

Why convert M4A to MP3?

M4A plays fine on Apple devices, but not every upload form, beat store, older program or collaborator accepts it. MP3 plays almost everywhere. That makes MP3 the easiest choice when you just want to share or listen to a file.

Want to keep working with it, for example in your DAW or in our tools? Then WAV is often more practical. Our free Beat Lab BPM and key finder, for instance, opens WAV and MP3 but not M4A. Convert your file first.

How to convert M4A to MP3 (free, no upload)

With the free NameOnTheBeat audio converter you do it right in your browser. Your audio stays on your own device and you don't need an account.

1. Open the audio converter and drag your M4A into the box, or click the button to choose your files.
2. Pick MP3 as the format.
3. Pick the quality. 320 kbps is the safe choice for music. For a quick voice recording, 128 or 192 kbps is fine too.
4. Leave the sample rate at 44.1 kHz if your file already is. If you work for video, 48 kHz is common.
5. Hit convert. Your MP3 downloads right away.

Files up to 150 MB work. Big files can take a bit longer on an older phone.

MP3, WAV or FLAC: which one?

That depends on what is inside your M4A and what you plan to do with it.

• MP3 if you want to share the file: by email, in a group chat, with your producer or on a site that only takes MP3.
• WAV if you want to keep working in FL Studio, Logic Pro, Ableton or another DAW. Pretty much all music software handles it well.
• FLAC if you want to keep an Apple Lossless file lossless in a smaller file than WAV. Not sure which of those two? Read FLAC vs WAV: which format should you choose?

Good to know: converting an AAC file to MP3 means the audio gets compressed a second time. At 320 kbps you usually won't hear much of it, but it never gets better than the original. Still have the original WAV or a lossless version? Convert that instead.

The other way around: converting a compressed M4A to WAV makes the file bigger, not better. Whatever the compression threw away doesn't come back. It works exactly like converting MP3 to WAV.

Converting M4A in the Music app on your Mac

If the song is in your Music library, you can also convert it there. Apple describes it like this:

1. Open the Music app and choose Music > Settings in the menu bar.
2. Go to the Files tab and click Import Settings.
3. In the menu next to Import Using, pick the format you want to convert to, for example MP3, and click OK.
4. Select the songs in your library.
5. Choose File > Convert > Create MP3 Version.

The new versions show up next to the originals in your library. Heads up: according to Apple, older purchased songs are encoded in a protected AAC format that can't be converted. Apple also recommends re-importing from the original source when you can, because converting to a compressed format can cost you some quality.

Common mistakes

• Converting back and forth. M4A to MP3, then to something else and back to MP3: every compressed round costs a little quality. Always go back to the best file you have.
• Raising the sample rate for no reason. Turning a 44.1 kHz file into 96 kHz only gives you a bigger file.
• Turning a lossless file into a 128 kbps MP3. If you have Apple Lossless, keep WAV or FLAC as your archive copy and only make an MP3 for sharing.
• Converting and using other people's files. A new format doesn't change who owns the rights. Only use audio you're allowed to use.

Need to convert a whole folder of M4A files?

If you have a pile of voice memos, an album or a folder full of ideas, Audio Converter Pro saves you a lot of clicking. Convert multiple files at once and download them as a single ZIP, and add a title, artist name and cover art to your MP3 or FLAC files. One-time payment, no subscription.

FAQ

Is M4A better than MP3?

Not necessarily. An M4A with Apple Lossless holds all of the original audio. An M4A with AAC is compressed, just like MP3. How the two compare mostly comes down to bitrate and encoder.

Is converting M4A to MP3 free?

Yes. With the audio converter you can convert M4A to MP3, WAV or FLAC for free, in your browser, without an account.

Can I convert MP3 back to M4A?

Not with our converter yet: it outputs MP3, WAV and FLAC. On a Mac, the Music app can create an AAC version if you pick AAC in Import Settings.

How do I know if my M4A is lossless?

The extension won't tell you. Look at the source: if it came from Voice Memos set to Lossless, or from your Music library with Apple Lossless as the import format, it's lossless. A lossless file is also clearly bigger than an AAC version of the same recording.

Looking for more free help with your tracks, like a master checker, chord generator or slowed + reverb maker? Check out all our free music tools.