If you enjoy listening to music on YouTube, the right tool can help you listen to the audio portion of your favorite videos offline. Certain websites, software, and browser extensions can strip out the audio of any YouTube video and convert it into an MP3 file, which can then be saved to your computer or mobile device.
There’s already a way to download YouTube content as video files. Here, we'll focus on the task of downloading them as audio files.
Before diving in, though, let's get one thorny issue out of the way. Is this type of conversion and download legal? That depends on the video. You can certainly convert and download your own personal YouTube videos, as well as public domain and non-copyrighted videos; just search YouTube for "public domain" and "non-copyrighted" content. But you can't legally convert and download copyrighted videos without the owner's permission.
As a word of warning, a spokesperson for Google sent me the following statement: "Our Terms of Service prohibit the downloading or copying of videos on YouTube without explicit consent from the copyright holder. Once notified of an infringing tool or service that allows the downloading of a YouTube video without permission from the content owner we take appropriate action."
You should also be careful with online video conversion sites and anything that asks you to download files. Some of them can be buggy, or worse, try to infect your system with malware. Before you check out any such website, make sure you’re running dependable and updated antivirus software just in case.
With those caveats in mind, let's check out how you can convert YouTube videos into audio files.
YouTube to MP3
Quick and convenient, YouTube to MP3 is a website where you can copy and paste the URL of the YouTube video you want to convert. Just add the link and click the Go button. At the next screen, click the drop-down menu and select the format for conversion, such as MP3 or M4A.
With an MP3, you also select the level of compression, anywhere from 64 kbps to 320 kbps. The smaller the number, the smaller the file, but the poorer the quality. So unless you need to save space, you’ll want to choose a higher number.
Click the Convert button. After the conversion, click the Download button to save it to your PC, or you can save it to Dropbox if you prefer. Then just play the file in your favorite music player.
MP3Skull
MP3Skull easily and simply converts YouTube videos to MP3 files without any of the usual ads, pop-ups, or other annoying obstacles that can get in your way. No registration or downloads are required.
Copy and paste the URL for the YouTube video in the appropriate field and click the Convert button. The conversions are fairly quick though naturally vary based on the length of the video. The site can even handle videos as long as two hours.
After the video has been converted, click the Download button to save the file as an MP3 and listen to it in your default music player.
4K Video Downloader
Here's a conversion program you download and run on your Windows PC or Mac. The basic version of 4K Video Downloader is free. If you want to cut out the ads, download YouTube playlists and channels, and receive future updates to the software, the premium version costs $15 for three personal licenses.
With 4K Video Downloader, you can convert and download YouTube content as video or audio files. For audio files, you can choose among MP3, M4A, and OGG formats, and opt for the original quality, high quality, medium quality, or low quality.
You can copy a YouTube URL directly into the program by clicking the Paste Link button, then pick the format and quality of the audio as well as the download location. Click on the Extract button, then double-click on the file in 4K Video Downloader or where it’s saved on your PC or Mac to play the audio.
MediaHuman's YouTube to MP3 Converter
MediaHuman has a free conversation program you install and run on Windows or macOS called YouTube to MP3 Converter. Though simple to use, the software provides an array of advanced options. To get started, just copy and paste or click and drag the YouTube URL into the program, then click Start Download. You can even convert and download multiple videos all in one shot.
The video is then converted and downloaded to your computer, with a handy bar graph showing the progress. To find the file, click the Locate Downloaded File button in the converter to open File Explorer or Finder and play the audio. There’s also an option that automatically adds the audio file to your iTunes library.
To venture beyond the basic features, click the General options icon on the bottom toolbar, then select Preferences. Here, you can opt to automate link pasting and downloading, control downloads, tweak network bandwidth, play with the iTunes settings, and change the audio format and download folder.
Though you get all these features for free, a $9.99-a-year Turbo Boost mode significantly speeds up converting and downloading to just a few seconds.
No Downloading Required: YouTube Music
If you just want to listen to YouTube music and don't need an MP3 file, YouTube offers its own app for listening to your favorite music. With YouTube Music for iOS/iPadOS, and Android, you can browse and search for music from different artists, albums, and genres on YouTube. Songs can’t be downloaded for use outside the app, but the YouTube Premium paid subscription will allow you to add offline listening
Select your favorite artists, and the app spins up a playlist of recommended channels; popular videos are served up through a video hotlist. The app keeps track of the music and channels you access so you can easily return to them. And you can create your own library of favorite music.
The basic version of YouTube Music is free, but YouTube Music Premium is a paid option that strips out the ads, can play music in the background while you use your device, and lets you download music and playlists for offline listening within the app.
After a one-month free trial, YouTube Music is $9.99 a month on Android or $12.99 a month on iOS. Yes, Apple charges 30 percent extra for the subscription, but you can avoid the added cost by signing up on the web for $9.99 and accessing your premium account on your iPhone or iPad. There are family and student plans, too.