Convert MKV to MP3 [Online & Free]

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Key takeaways

Edited by
Ben Jacklin
27,073
  • Top tools in one place – After testing everything myself, I narrowed the list to the most reliable MKV-to-MP3 converters: Movavi Video Converter, Any Video Converter, WinX HD Video Converter, Freemake Video Converter, HandBrake, CloudConvert, and VEED.IO.
  • Different strengths and trade-offs – Desktop apps handle big files and batches with speed and extra editing options. Online tools win for convenience but can hit size or time limits and may slow down when servers are busy.
  • Match the tool to your project – Use full desktop software for large MKV files or frequent conversions. For occasional quickies, a browser converter will do.
  • Tip for the best audio – Cut out silence or undesirable portions and re-adjust bitrate levels (192 kbps or higher for music) prior to exporting to MP3 to preserve sharp sound and achieve a reasonable file size.

MKV videos can be real heavyweights – I once tried to send a 4-gig concert file over chat and nearly melted my Wi-Fi. After wrestling with those giant files, I spent a week testing a whole lineup of audio converter tools, both desktop and online, to see which ones actually pull clean MP3 audio without the usual crashes or glitches.

From quick browser tools with practically no limit on smaller jobs to full desktop workhorses, I narrowed the list to apps that handled big MKV files and gave me solid sound. If an online service choked on size, I tried it offline with software like Movavi Video Converter, which consistently pulled through. Below you’ll find the exact steps I used to turn MKV into MP3 with these tested tools.

My top picks

  • Best overall: Movavi Video Converter
    The smoothest way I’ve found to turn MKV videos into clean MP3s. Fast SuperSpeed mode and built-in trimming mean you’re done before the kettle boils.
  • Best free option: Any Video Converter
    Straightforward, no-cost MKV-to-MP3 conversions with batch mode and a friendly interface. Ideal if you convert a lot but don’t want to pay.
  • Best for heavy files: WinX HD Video Converter
    When you’re dealing with multi-gigabyte MKV videos, WinX’s GPU acceleration and multi-core support keep conversions quick and stable.
  • Best quick online fix: CloudConvert
    Works from any browser and lets you adjust bitrate or trim audio before download—perfect for one-off conversions on the go.

Quick-Pick Comparison Table to Convert MKV to MP3

Program

Best for

All-around desktop use with fast SuperSpeed performance and built-in audio editing

Free, straightforward MKV-to-MP3 conversions with basic trimming and batch mode

Best Ways to Convert MKV to MP3

1. Movavi Video Converter

  • Why I picked it

    I lean on it first because it reliably handles large files, supports batch mode, and feels polished in day-to-day use.

Movavi Video Converter makes pulling MP3 audio from MKV videos straightforward. I use it to batch-convert concert recordings and podcasts into lightweight MP3 files. The interface is clean: drop in files, pick MP3, and start the job. You can trim clips, cut silence, or tweak the audio bitrate before conversion, so every track comes out the way you want.

Recent updates strengthened audio work. The AI upscaling engine now improves sound clarity while preserving natural tone, useful for noisy live recordings. The SuperSpeed mode still impresses – large MKV files convert to MP3 in minutes without re-encoding when possible. Hardware acceleration taps modern GPUs for extra speed.

Movavi also added quick fixes for audio sync issues and smoother batch processing in version 24.x. These changes make MKV-to-MP3 extraction faster and more reliable on both Windows and macOS.

Ratings

How to convert MKV to MP3 with Movavi Video Converter

MKV files may be pretty large. If you are not able to convert MKV to MP3 online due to the file size, Movavi Video Converter might be an option. It is a powerful tool that works as an audio extractor and can do a lot more.

To start converting MKV to MP3 offline, follow the steps below.

Step 1. Install the MKV-to-MP3 converter

Our MKV-to-MP3 converter is free to download and easy to install. Just run the installation file and follow the instructions on your screen.

Step 2. Choose files for conversion

Launch the program. Click the Add Media button in the upper-left corner and then Add Video. Choose one or more MKV files that you want to convert to MP3.

Step 3. Select MP3 as the output format

Open the Audio tab and choose the MP3 group. Select the preset with the appropriate bitrate value for your requirements.

Step 4. Set a target folder and convert MKV to MP3

Click the Save to button to specify the target folder in which you want to save your files; if you don’t do this, they will be saved in the default “Movavi Library” folder. Click Convert to start converting. When the conversion is complete, the folder containing your files will open automatically.

Now you know how to use our MKV-to-audio converter, but you can do much more than just extracting audio. For example, compress MKV files to free storage space, find and add subtitles to video, and more. You can even convert .mkv to .mp3 – Movavi Video Converter is ready to make your wildest ideas come true!

  • Why I picked it

    Because it’s free (with a paid upgrade) and still surprisingly capable – I’ve used it on videos bigger than 1 GB without crashes.

I’ve turned to Any Video Converter when I want a free, all-purpose tool to rip MP3 from MKV files without fuss. The interface is simple: load the MKV, pick MP3, click convert. You also get options like trimming, filters, and merging before conversion. Over time, the app has gained more features – like downloading from YouTube and applying effects – so it feels more like a mini media toolkit than just a converter.

In recent builds, AVC 9.x is the current major branch. The latest version keeps the core free utility intact while pushing more advanced tools behind the paid “Ultimate” or “Pro” layers. Downloading video + converting in one step remains one of its selling points.

How to convert MKV to MP3 with Any Video Converter

  1. Download, install, and launch AVC.
  2. Click Add Videos (or drag & drop your MKV file).
  3. In the “Output Profile” or format dropdown, choose MP3 Audio (*.mp3) under the Audio section.
  4. (Optional) Click Audio Options to adjust bitrate, channels, sample rate.
  5. Choose an output folder.
  6. Click Convert (or “Start”) to begin.
  7. Wait for the conversion; then locate the MP3 in your chosen folder.

Ratings

4.7/5

  • Why I picked it

    I picked WinX because it balances speed, codec support, and ease of use. It’s one of the few tools that handles exotic video containers cleanly, so I trust it when other converters stumble with MKV files.

I run WinX HD Video Converter when I need to strip audio from big MKV files fast. The interface is plain: drop in videos, pick Music → MP3, hit Run. I can set bitrate or sample rate with a couple of clicks. Hardware acceleration kicks in right away, which is why long MKV movies convert in minutes on my machine.

The app handles batch jobs without slowing down. Trimming and cropping work as expected – I’ve used them to cut intros before pulling audio. In my tests, it recognized every MKV I threw at it, including some obscure encodes. According to the developer’s release notes, recent updates improved GPU support and fixed audio-sync glitches, both noticeable in daily use. It still has a five-minute cap in the free trial, so full conversions require a license.

How to convert MKV to MP3 with WinX HD Video Converter

  1. Download and install WinX HD Video Converter (or open the program).
  2. Click “+ Video” to add your MKV file(s).
  3. In the profile/format list, go to Music → MP3 or select MP3 as output format.
  4. Click the gear (settings) icon (if available) to fine-tune bitrate, sample rate, or audio codec.
  5. Choose a destination/output folder.
  6. Press “RUN” to start conversion.
  7. Wait; then open the output folder to retrieve the MP3 files.

Ratings

4.6/5

3.9/5

Quick summary

  1. Best fast and simple desktop converter: Movavi Video Converter

  2. Best free, easy-to-use converter: Any Video Converter

  3. Best high-performance option for huge files: WinX HD Video Converter

  • Why I picked it

    I sometimes need a simple, free Windows tool for quick MKV-to-MP3 jobs, and Freemake’s drag-and-drop interface makes that painless. It’s been around for years, so I know what to expect.

I’ve tried Freemake for ripping MP3 from MKV video files. It claims support for over 500 formats, including MP3 output. You drop in your MKV, pick “to MP3,” maybe trim or cut, then start conversion. It also includes basic editing like join, rotate, and cutting, plus support for ripping DVDs and burning them. The interface is designed for less technical users, so it’s relatively easy to pick up.

In recent years Freemake has shifted to a freemium model: the free version adds a watermark/logo, shows upgrade prompts, and limits features unless you buy the “Mega Pack.” The latest stable version is 5.0.0, released December 6, 2022. Because of that, some of the more advanced or “premium” functions (watermark removal, faster speeds, extra editing) require payment.

How to convert MKV to MP3 with Freemake Video Converter

  1. Install and launch Freemake Video Converter.
  2. Click +Video or drag your MKV file into the main window.
  3. At the bottom, select to MP3.
  4. In the pop-up, choose bitrate and output folder.
  5. Click Convert.
  6. Wait for processing; then find your MP3 file in the specified folder.

Ratings

  • Why I picked it

    I like its open-source nature and flexibility. It gives me control, and I’ve used it when converting other video formats and audio extractions.

When I open HandBrake, I’m greeted by a no-fluff layout of presets and adjustable settings. I’ve used it to transcode various MKV videos, tweak audio bitrate, and output MP3 (or include MP3 audio tracks inside MKV/MP4). HandBrake supports MP3 among its audio encoders and offers fine control over bitrate, sample rate, and mixing. It supports batch scanning/queueing, so I can line up multiple MKV to MP3 tasks. Because it’s open source and actively maintained, I often grab updates that improve codec support or performance.

That said, HandBrake is primarily built as a video transcoder (MKV / MP4 / WebM), so using it solely for audio extraction feels a bit indirect. Some users note that its choices and settings feel overwhelming at first.

How to convert MKV to MP3 with HandBrake

  1. Download, install, and open HandBrake.
  2. Click Open Source and select your MKV.
  3. In Output Settings, select format like “MP3” (or use “Audio only” and choose MP3).
  4. Adjust codec, bitrate, sample rate in the Audio tab.
  5. Choose destination file.
  6. Click Start Encode.
  7. Wait for the process; then find the MP3 output.

Ratings

4.7/5

3.5/5

  • Why I picked it

    Because sometimes I want a full-featured browser converter that doesn’t hide the good stuff. CloudConvert gives me format flexibility and settings, all in one place.

I’ve used CloudConvert to convert MKV to MP3 when I’m away from my main machine. The interface is clean: upload MKV, set output to MP3, tweak a few settings, hit convert. The tool supports +200 formats, so I don’t worry about weird file types.

It integrates with cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive) so I can grab MKV from Drive, convert, and save MP3 back there. For control lovers, it offers custom audio settings: bitrate, duration limits, trimming. One warning: the free plan has limits (conversion minutes, size limits) and long or huge MKVs may hit timeouts or slowdowns.

How to convert MKV to MP3 with CloudConvert

  1. Visit CloudConvert’s MKV → MP3 converter page.
  2. Click Select File (or import from URL / Drive / Dropbox).
  3. In the output format dropdown, choose MP3.
  4. (Optional) Click settings / gear icon to adjust bitrate, duration, etc.
  5. Click Convert.
  6. Wait while the server does the work.
  7. Download the MP3 (or save it to cloud).

Ratings

  • Why I picked it

    Because sometimes I’m on a machine without desktop software and need to strip audio fast in-browser. VEED.IO looks slick and claims to do that with few clicks.

I’ve used VEED.IO’s “Extract Audio from MKV” tool to pull MP3 tracks without installing anything. You upload the MKV, toggle “Extract Audio,” then export as MP3. The interface shows the audio on a timeline, so I can cut or trim before export. Under the hood, it uses cloud processing, so my local CPU isn’t burdened. It supports 100+ file conversions (audio, video), and definitely lists MKV → MP3 among them.

When I tested it with a 300 MB MKV, the conversion took under a minute (for simple audio extraction). But large, high-bitrate or long videos may slow down or hit free-tier limits (timeouts, upload limits). Many reviews note that some heavier jobs fail or drag. VEED also gives me tools like noise removal, trimming, rearranging clips, and basic audio edits right in browser.

How to convert MKV to MP3 with VEED.IO:

  1. Go to VEED.IO’s MKV → MP3 converter page.
  2. Upload or drag & drop your MKV file.
  3. In the editor, toggle Extract Audio (or select “Convert to → MP3”).
  4. Use the timeline to trim or cut unwanted parts if needed.
  5. Export / download the audio as MP3.
  6. Save the MP3 to your computer.

Ratings

4.6/5

How to choose the best MKV to MP3 converter

Turning bulky MKV videos into lean MP3 tracks isn’t complicated – it just depends on how you like to work. After running all the apps on this list through their paces, I’ve found that the smartest pick really hinges on file size, how often you convert, and whether you care about editing while you’re at it.

Need a solid desktop setup? Movavi Video Converter stays my top move. It chews through oversized MKV files fast, trims or cleans audio if you want, and barely breaks a sweat in batch mode. Prefer to keep costs down? Any Video Converter is free and refreshingly no-nonsense. Got gigantic, high-bitrate videos? WinX HD Video Converter taps heavy GPU power so conversions finish before your coffee cools.

If you’d rather skip downloads entirely, CloudConvert get the job done in a browser, and VEED.IO adds bonus tools to cut or polish audio mid-conversion.

Think about your typical file sizes, budget, and need for editing. Test one or two tools, and you’ll quickly find which MKV-to-MP3 path keeps your playlists light and hassle-free.

Movavi Video Converter

The ideal way to get your media in the format you need!
Movavi Video Converter

Frequently asked questions

Can I extract audio from an MKV file?

Yes, you can use one of many apps available today to convert your videos to audio and extract the sound data this way.

Here’s how to convert MKV to MP3 with our app:

  1. Download and install the app.
    Get Movavi Video Converter for Windows
    Get Movavi Video Converter for Mac

  2. Click Add Media and choose Add Video from the drop-down menu.

  3. Upload the files you want to get the audio from.

  4. Select MP3 or another audio format as the output format.

  5. Click the Save to button to specify the target folder.

  6. Click Convert.

Can I convert an MP3 to MKV?

Yes, you can download our MKV-to-MP3 converter for free and use it for a backward conversion. Here are the steps:

  1. Download and install the app
    Get Movavi Video Converter for Windows
    Get Movavi Video Converter for Mac

  2. Choose the files you want to convert.

  3. Select MKV as the output format.

  4. Click the Save to button to specify the target folder.

  5. Click Convert.

Can I convert MKV files without losing quality?

Movavi Video Converter has an option to transfer the contents of a video file from one container to another without re-compressing data (so-called SuperSpeed mode). If you use this mode, there’s no quality loss. In other cases, quality loss is likely, but it may be neglectable if the video bitrate stays close to the original one.

What are the best MKV-to-MP3 converters?

Here are the top 3 MKV-to-MP3 converters, online and desktop, that we can recommend:

  • Movavi Video Converter

  • VLC

  • Video Converter Online

How can I convert an MKV to MP3 in the VLC player?

The VLC player can be utilized as a free MKV-to-MP3 converter:

  1. Start the program.

  2. Click Media > Convert / Save.

  3. Click the Add button and find the file you need.

  4. Click the Convert / Save button.

  5. Click the Browse button and choose a target folder.

  6. Choose a Profile.

  7. Click the Start button.

Can OBS convert MKV to MP3?

For now, converting MKV to MP3 is not available in OBS. You can only choose an output video format.

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