How to convert AAC to MP3
- 1. Add AAC filesClick Choose AAC files, drop them on the box, or paste with Ctrl+V. M4A files work too.
- 2. Choose a bitrate and press Convert192 kbps is preselected. Match or exceed your source's bitrate for the cleanest result, then click Convert.
- 3. Download the resultsDownload each MP3 from its row, or everything at once with Download all (.zip).
AAC is the better codec. MP3 is the more compatible one.
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) was standardized in 1997 as the successor to MP3, and it generally sounds better at the same bitrate. It's the audio in most MP4 videos, in Apple's iTunes and Apple Music, and in a lot of streaming and broadcasting.
So why convert at all? Compatibility. A bare .aac file in particular confuses plenty of software, older MP3 players and car stereos, while MP3 plays on almost anything with a speaker.
| AAC | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Standardized | 1997 (MPEG-2, later MPEG-4) | 1993 (MPEG-1) |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Quality at the same bitrate | Usually better | Usually a little worse |
| File extensions | .aac (raw stream), .m4a (in an MPEG-4 file) | .mp3 |
| Where it plays | Most modern devices; raw .aac less widely | Almost everywhere, including old hardware |
Can you convert without losing quality?
Not completely. AAC and MP3 are both lossy. Converting means decoding the AAC and encoding a new MP3, and the MP3 encoder makes its own small compromises.
What you can do is keep that loss inaudible. Choose an MP3 bitrate at least as high as the AAC's: if the source is 128 kbps AAC, use 192 kbps or more; if it's 256 kbps, use 320 kbps. A higher bitrate than the source doesn't add detail, it just avoids throwing more away.
Where .aac files come from
Bare .aac files, without the MPEG-4 wrapper an .m4a has, usually come from:
- Voice and call recorder apps on some Android phones.
- Audio extracted from videos by editing or screen-recording software.
- Recordings of internet radio and podcasts.
- Audio still inside a video? Use the video soundtrack extractor. iPhone voice recordings? The voice memo converter explains how to get them off your iPhone.
Limits
- Copy-protected (DRM) audio, such as old iTunes Store .m4p files, can't be converted.
- There's no file-count limit. Very long recordings need more memory, so convert them on a computer if a phone struggles.
- Each row shows the original and MP3 size when done, so you can spot a bitrate that's larger than you need.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert AAC to MP3 without losing quality?
Not perfectly, since both are lossy, but you can make the loss inaudible. Pick an MP3 bitrate at least as high as the AAC source, for example 320 kbps for 256 kbps AAC.
Is AAC better than MP3?
At the same bitrate, AAC usually sounds a little better. MP3 wins on compatibility: it plays on almost every device, including older car stereos and players.
What's the difference between .aac and .m4a?
Both usually hold AAC audio. A .aac file is the raw audio stream; a .m4a file wraps it in an MPEG-4 container that can also store tags. This tool accepts both.
Do my files get uploaded?
No. Your AAC files are converted on your device, inside your browser, and never uploaded. The page loads code, ads and cookieless analytics like any site, but not your audio. How it works.
What bitrate should I choose?
For speech, 128 kbps. For music, 256 or 320 kbps, or at least the bitrate of the original AAC file.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. Open the page in Safari or Chrome, choose your files, tap Convert and download. On iPhone the MP3s are saved to Files → Downloads.
Are tags kept when converting AAC to MP3?
Yes, by default (Metadata: Keep). Tags in an .m4a file, or ID3 tags in a .aac file (title, artist, album, year, track, genre, comment, cover art), are copied into the MP3. Choose Remove for an MP3 with no tags.