Can HandBrake Convert MP4 to MP3? All Explained Here!

Quick Navigation

1. Can HandBrake Convert MP4 to MP3?

2. How to Use HandBrake to Convert MP4 Audio Track to MP3?

3. Alternative Solution for Simple MP4 to MP3 Conversion

Can HandBrake Convert MP4 to MP3?

The short answer is "No" if you mean to convert MP4 files to audio-only MP3 for playback on a music player. After all, HandBrake is a popular open-source video transcoder primarily designed to convert any video file to MP4, MKV, or WebM. It is important to note that HandBrake DOES NOT work for audio-only conversion.

However, HandBrake is capable of changing the audio track of a source MP4 video to MP3 for solving MP4 no sound and some audio incompatibility problems. That is where the guide comes in. Plus, by the end of this article, I will also introduce an alternative solution to HandBrake MP4 to MP3 conversion. Now let's dive in!

How to Use HandBrake to Convert MP4 Audio Track to MP3?

Converting an MP4 audio track to MP3 with HandBrake is a straightforward process. Follow the step-by-step guide below to achieve your desired result:

Step 1. Add an MP4 File

Launch HandBrake and click on the "Source" button in the upper left corner. Find and select the MP4 video file you want to convert. Then HandBrake will scan the file and display the details.

Step 2. Choose a Preset

Open the "Presets" menu and choose your desired option on the right side of the interface.

Step 3. Choose the Output Format

Under "Summary" tab, select either MP4 or MKV as your output format, because WebM only works with Vorbis or Opus audio.

Step 4. Change Audio Codec to MP3

Go to "Audio" tab, and select "MP3" from the "Codec" drop-down menu. Change MP3 bitrate, mixdown, sample rate, and gain as you wish.

Optional. If required, go to other tabs to configure parameters for the output video file.

Step 5. Initiate HandBrake MP4 to MP3 Conversion

Choose a location to save the output video file. Finally, click "Start Encode" button to start converting an MP4 audio track to MP3 and HandBrake will take care of the rest.

Once complete, you'll have a new MP4 or MKV video file containing the MP3 audio track.

Alternative Solution: Free HD Video Converter Factory

As HandBrake doesn't extract audio, if you are looking for a perfect solution for Handbrake MP4 to MP3 conversion, consider using Free HD Video Converter Factory. As the best HandBrake alternative, this application makes up for its shortcomings and is capable of either converting MP4 files to MP3 or just changing the audio format of a video file.

Download the freeware and learn how to convert an MP4 video file to MP3 with ease.

Step 1. Install and runInstall and run Free HD Video Converter Factory.

Step 2. Open "Converter", drag and drop MP4 files into the interface.

Step 3. Choose either option for MP4 to MP3 conversion:

To convert MP4 to audio-only MP3 file, open the output library, then choose "MP3" profile under "Audio" category.
To change audio track of MP4 to MP3, choose a desired video format under "Video" category. Then open "Parameter settings" to choose "MP3" from the "Audio Encoder" drop-down menu.

Optional. If required, open "Parameter settings" to modify MP3 sample rate, channel, encoder, bit rate, and volume.

Step 4. Specify an output folder, and click "Run" to start conversion process.

Also Read: Best MP4 to MP3 Converter | Cut and Convert MP4 to MP3 | Bulk Convert MP4 to MP3 | Convert MP4 to MP3 Online

Convert MP4 to MP3 Using HandBrake Alternative

Final Words

So in conclusion, can HandBrake convert MP4 files to MP3 songs directly? Definitely NO! HandBrake mainly focuses on video conversion. It only allows converting the audio track of an MP4 video into MP3 format. You have to use other programs like Free HD Video Converter Factory to get it done.

I hope this guide has helped explain everything about Handbrake MP4 to MP3 conversion. Let me know if you have any other questions!