Why would I need to convert AAC to MP3?

AAC sounds better than MP3 at the same bitrate, but a few older players, car stereos and devices only accept MP3. Converting trades a little quality for universal compatibility, which is worth it when a file simply will not play where you need it.

Will I lose quality converting AAC to MP3?

Both formats are lossy, so converting adds one more lossy step. At a high bitrate the difference is minor for most listeners, and for speech or casual listening it is inaudible. Keep the original AAC if you might need a pristine copy later.

Isn't AAC better than MP3 — am I downgrading?

Technically yes, AAC is a newer codec that is a little more efficient, so this is a sideways-to-slightly-down move in pure quality. But you are converting for reach, not fidelity: an MP3 that plays on the target device beats a higher-quality AAC that stays silent.

Where do AAC files come from?

Audio ripped or downloaded from YouTube, tracks from the iTunes Store, some streaming exports and many phone recorders. The bare .aac stream is less common than the .m4a container, but both hold AAC audio and convert the same way here.

Is a .aac file the same as .m4a?

The audio is the same codec; the wrapper differs. .m4a is an MP4 container holding AAC, while a raw .aac file is the bare stream. Either one converts to MP3 without any extra step on your part.

Can I convert several AAC files to MP3 at once?

Yes. Add all your AAC files together and click Convert — each becomes its own MP3, with no limit on how many you queue in a batch.

Convert AAC to MP3 Online

Convert AAC audio to MP3 for older players and devices that do not support the AAC format.

or drag & drop them here · images, video, audio and documents · up to 2 GB

How to convert AAC to MP3

Click "Choose Files" and select your AAC file, or drag & drop it onto the page.
Make sure MP3 is selected as the target format.
Click "Convert" and wait a few seconds.
Download your new MP3 file.

Why Converters.live?

Free and unlimited — convert as many AAC tracks to MP3 as you need.
Files up to 2 GB, with bitrate tuned to keep MP3 sounding as close as possible to the original AAC.
Your audio files are deleted from the server immediately after conversion — nothing is stored.

Frequently asked questions

Why would I need to convert AAC to MP3?: AAC sounds better than MP3 at the same bitrate, but a few older players, car stereos and devices only accept MP3. Converting trades a little quality for universal compatibility, which is worth it when a file simply will not play where you need it.
Will I lose quality converting AAC to MP3?: Both formats are lossy, so converting adds one more lossy step. At a high bitrate the difference is minor for most listeners, and for speech or casual listening it is inaudible. Keep the original AAC if you might need a pristine copy later.
Isn't AAC better than MP3 — am I downgrading?: Technically yes, AAC is a newer codec that is a little more efficient, so this is a sideways-to-slightly-down move in pure quality. But you are converting for reach, not fidelity: an MP3 that plays on the target device beats a higher-quality AAC that stays silent.
Where do AAC files come from?: Audio ripped or downloaded from YouTube, tracks from the iTunes Store, some streaming exports and many phone recorders. The bare .aac stream is less common than the .m4a container, but both hold AAC audio and convert the same way here.
Is a .aac file the same as .m4a?: The audio is the same codec; the wrapper differs. .m4a is an MP4 container holding AAC, while a raw .aac file is the bare stream. Either one converts to MP3 without any extra step on your part.
Can I convert several AAC files to MP3 at once?: Yes. Add all your AAC files together and click Convert — each becomes its own MP3, with no limit on how many you queue in a batch.

About AAC and MP3

Key things to know before you convert AAC to MP3:

AAC

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) replaced MP3 as the default on Apple devices and YouTube. Better sound quality at the same file size; all modern players support it.

MP3

MP3 is the most compatible audio format in existence: every player of the last 25 years handles it. Less efficient than modern codecs, but compatibility usually wins.

Related conversions

MP4→MP3 WAV→MP3 M4A→MP3 FLAC→MP3 OGG→MP3 WMA→MP3 OPUS→MP3 WEBM→MP3