How to Extract Audio from YouTube Videos In 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Why extract audio from a YouTube video

People often need to extract audio from YouTube videos to listen to lectures, podcasts, or music offline, or to repurpose soundtracks for background use and creative projects. It's a convenient way to access educational or entertainment content without video playback. However, it's important to note that downloading or using copyrighted material without the creator's permission is illegal and unethical. This guide focuses only on extracting audio from videos you own, or those available under the public domain or Creative Commons licenses, ensuring your process stays completely safe and lawful.

Now that you understand why extracting audio can be useful, let's explore how to do it safely and efficiently. CapCut Desktop offers an all-in-one solution to extract, edit, and enhance audio from YouTube videos—without the need for external converters or risky online tools. It's fast, beginner-friendly, and designed for creators who value quality and simplicity.

How do I extract audio from a YouTube video on desktop

Extracting audio from YouTube videos on your computer is simple when you use CapCut Desktop. Whether you're looking to save a soundtrack, isolate dialogue, or turn a lecture into a podcast, CapCut makes the process intuitive. If you're wondering how to extract audio from a YouTube video on PC, or extract audio from YouTube video Mac follow these quick steps to get high-quality results in just minutes.

STEP 1
1. Sign up, download and import video

• Visit the CapCut website and register using your email, Google, or TikTok account.
• Go to the download section or click the download button to get the CapCut Desktop application (Windows/Mac).

• Install the application quickly and launch CapCut on your computer.
• Click "New project," and then use the "Import" button or drag your legally sourced YouTube video file into the media panel.

STEP 2
1. Extract audio from video

• Drag your imported video file from the media panel down to the editing timeline.
• Right-click on the video clip in the timeline.
• From the context menu, select "Separate audio."
• The audio will instantly separate, appearing as a new, editable audio track beneath the video.

STEP 3
1. Refine and export the audio

• Click the new audio track and open the "Audio" tab.
• Use "Noise reduction" to clean background sounds and trim segments as needed.

• Click the "Export" button in the top-right corner.
• In the export settings window, ensure you choose "Export audio".
• Select your desired audio format (e.g., MP3 or WAV) and choose the highest available bitrate (e.g., 320 kbps).
• Click "Export" to save your clean, extracted audio file to your computer.

Bonus: How to edit YouTube videos with CapCut online

If you want the flexibility of editing from any browser, need to collaborate with a team, or simply want to use CapCut's powerful features without downloading software, CapCut online video editor is the perfect solution. It offers many of the same tools, including the ability to adjust and refine your video's audio, right in your browser.

• Start by clicking the above link to sign in or sign up for free on the CapCut website.
• Click "Create new" and upload your YouTube video from your computer or cloud storage (Google Drive or Dropbox).

• Drag the uploaded video onto the timeline to start editing.
• Click the audio track to adjust volume, apply effects, or use noise reduction if available.
• Add text overlays, filters, and royalty-free music, or use AI tools like Auto Captions and Background Remover.

• Click "Export", set your preferred resolution and frame rate(e.g., 1080p, 30fps), then download or share the video directly to YouTube or TikTok.

Key features of CapCut for extracting audio from YouTube

• Built-in noise reduction: Say goodbye to distracting background noise. CapCut's AI-powered noise reduction automatically detects and removes hiss, hum, or echoes from your extracted audio. This ensures crystal-clear sound, perfect for podcasts, music samples, or lectures. Apply it in one click—no manual tweaks needed for instant professional results.
• Integrated editing tools for precise trimming & splitting: Once the audio is extracted, it becomes an independent track in the timeline, offering maximum control. You can easily trim the start and end to remove unwanted silence, or split the file to isolate a specific quote or segment. This level of precision is critical for quickly repurposing small clips of audio for new projects.
• Volume leveling and normalization: CapCut provides controls to ensure that your extracted audio track has a consistent and smooth sound. You can easily adjust the volume across the entire track, or use normalization features to balance loud and quiet parts. This guarantees a professional listening experience without sudden, jarring volume shifts.
• Versatile export formats: When it's time to save your file, CapCut gives you flexibility beyond simple MP3s. You can choose high-quality output formats like MP3, WAV, or AAC. This ensures you export the file type best suited for its final destination, whether it's a phone, a podcast, or a professional sound mixer.
• Video editing integration: The extraction process is fully integrated into CapCut's video editor, letting you replace or mix audio directly within your project. You can blend your extracted sound with voiceovers or royalty-free music, then sync it to visuals using AI effects, background remover, captions, and transitions—all without switching apps.

How to choose the right format for extracted audio

When you extract audio from YouTube, the quality of the final file is determined by two main factors: the original YouTube quality and the format you choose to export.

A. Bitrate measures how much data is being used to encode the audio per second, typically measured in kilobits per second (kbps). It is the primary factor affecting the quality of compressed audio:

• High Bitrate (e.g., 320 kbps): Higher quality, offering more detail and fidelity, but results in a significantly larger file size.
• Low Bitrate (e.g., 128 kbps): Lower quality due to more aggressive data removal (lossy compression), but yields a much smaller, space-saving file.

The trade-off is simple: Quality vs. File size. Always choose the highest available bitrate when exporting to maximize quality retention, especially since YouTube's original audio is already compressed.

B. Format guide:

• MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3): The universal standard with excellent device compatibility. Uses lossy compression—great for everyday listening, podcasts, and mobile playback. Best balance of quality and file size.
• WAV/FLAC: Lossless formats that preserve every audio detail. WAV is uncompressed; FLAC compresses without quality loss. Perfect for editing, mastering, or archiving—but files are significantly larger.
• AAC (Advanced Audio Coding): Delivers superior sound quality at lower bitrates than MP3. Widely used by Apple (iTunes, iPhone) and streaming platforms. Ideal for high fidelity in smaller files.

Tips when trying to extract audio from YouTube videos

Knowing how to extract the audio from a YouTube video efficiently is only half the battle; safety and quality are just as important. Follow these best practices to ensure your process is both secure and yields the best possible sound.

• Respect copyright and fair use: Always confirm the source material is royalty-free, under Creative Commons, or that you have explicit permission before downloading, especially if you plan to share or monetize the extracted audio.
• Prioritize high bitrate: Whenever possible, choose 320kbps for MP3 downloads. While YouTube's audio is compressed, opting for the highest available bitrate prevents further quality degradation.
• Use ad blockers on online sites: Many free online converters are heavy with intrusive ads and pop-ups. Use an up-to-date ad-blocker to improve your safety and user experience significantly.
• Verify the source and file type: Before opening any downloaded file, check the file extension (it should be .mp3, .wav, etc.). If it's an executable file (.exe), delete it immediately, as this is a common malware distribution trick.
• Check the final audio: Always listen to the extracted audio file immediately after downloading to check for truncation (sudden stopping), artifacts, or unexpected silence at the beginning or end.

Conclusion

In summary, extracting audio from YouTube videos opens up endless possibilities for offline listening, creative remixing, or educational repurposing—but it must always be done responsibly. Respecting copyright laws and fair use guidelines is non-negotiable: only extract from videos you own, those in the public domain, or under Creative Commons licenses to avoid legal issues and support content creators.

CapCut stands out as the ultimate all-in-one tool for this task, delivering seamless extraction, AI-powered noise reduction, precise editing, and high-quality exports in formats like MP3 or WAV—all without risky third-party sites or complex setups. Whether you're on desktop or using CapCut Online, it empowers beginners and pros alike to achieve professional results in minutes.

FAQs

1
1. How to extract audio from YouTube video on PC, without any professional skills?

To extract audio from YouTube video on PC, you don't need professional skills. Simply follow these easy steps:

• Download CapCut Desktop from the official site.
• Import your YouTube video and right-click to "Separet audio."
• Refine the sound with noise reduction, then export as MP3 or WAV.

2
1. Is it legal and safe to perform an audio extract from YouTube videos?

The answer is nuanced, covering both copyright law and cybersecurity:

• Legality (Copyright): It is generally illegal and violates YouTube's Terms of Service to extract audio from copyrighted content without explicit permission. Only extract audio from videos you own, those in the public domain, or those available under Creative Commons licenses.
• Safety (Security): The process is safe if you use a reputable desktop application like CapCut. Many free online converters, however, are major sources of malware, aggressive ads, and phishing attempts.

3
1. What is the best method to extract audio from YouTube iPhone for offline listening?

The best, safest, and most reliable method for extract audio from YouTube iPhone for personal, offline listening is through the official subscription service.

• YouTube Premium allows you to legally download content for offline playback directly within the YouTube and YouTube Music apps.
• Solution: Download CapCut on your iPhone, upload the video, and extract the audio easily. The App also allows you to refine and edit the audio before saving it offline.

4
1. Are there major drawbacks to using a free tool to extract audio from YouTube online?

Yes, many free YouTube audio extractors online come with hidden risks.

• Security risks: High chance of encountering malware and intrusive ads that compromise your device.
• Quality loss: Often limits you to low-bitrate, poor-quality MP3s because the tools lack professional quality control.
• Action: CapCut Online provides a secure, ad-free platform with high-quality exports and built-in AI tools for audio enhancement and extract audio from youtube video online for free.