Does this keep the video, or just the audio?

Only the audio is kept — the video track is discarded and the soundtrack is saved as a standalone MP3 file, so a heavy WMV becomes a small clip you can play or share as sound alone.

Where do WMV files usually come from?

WMV is Microsoft's Windows Media Video format from the Windows XP and Vista era: clips exported from the old Windows Movie Maker, recorded webinars and training courses, screen recordings from early Windows capture tools, and slideshows saved out of PowerPoint. That vintage is exactly why WMV now feels awkward on phones and modern apps.

Why extract audio from an old WMV file?

Old lectures, webinars, sermons or family recordings are sometimes only available as WMV, and the video adds nothing if you just want to listen. Pulling the audio out as MP3 gives you a small file you can keep on a phone or in a podcast app, while the bulky original stays on the disk.

Why won't my WMV play on a Mac, iPhone or Android?

WMV is tied to Windows Media, so QuickTime, iPhones, most Android phones, car stereos and non-Windows editors either refuse it or need extra codecs installed. Converting the audio to MP3 sidesteps the whole problem — the sound then plays everywhere with nothing to install.

Some of my WMV files won't convert — why?

A few old WMV files carry PlaysForSure or Windows Media DRM from long-closed music and video stores, and protected files cannot be converted here or in any converter. Ordinary unprotected WMV — your own recordings, webinars and exported movies — convert without any issue.

Can I extract audio from several WMV files at once?

Yes. Add all your WMV files together and click Convert — each one's audio is extracted as a separate MP3, so a folder of old recordings converts in one pass with no limit on file count.

Convert WMV to MP3 Online

Extract the audio from a Windows Media Video file and save it as a universal MP3 you can play anywhere.

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

How to convert WMV to MP3

Click "Choose Files" and select your WMV 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 WMV 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 WMV.
Your audio files are deleted from the server immediately after conversion — nothing is stored.

Frequently asked questions

Does this keep the video, or just the audio?: Only the audio is kept — the video track is discarded and the soundtrack is saved as a standalone MP3 file, so a heavy WMV becomes a small clip you can play or share as sound alone.
Where do WMV files usually come from?: WMV is Microsoft's Windows Media Video format from the Windows XP and Vista era: clips exported from the old Windows Movie Maker, recorded webinars and training courses, screen recordings from early Windows capture tools, and slideshows saved out of PowerPoint. That vintage is exactly why WMV now feels awkward on phones and modern apps.
Why extract audio from an old WMV file?: Old lectures, webinars, sermons or family recordings are sometimes only available as WMV, and the video adds nothing if you just want to listen. Pulling the audio out as MP3 gives you a small file you can keep on a phone or in a podcast app, while the bulky original stays on the disk.
Why won't my WMV play on a Mac, iPhone or Android?: WMV is tied to Windows Media, so QuickTime, iPhones, most Android phones, car stereos and non-Windows editors either refuse it or need extra codecs installed. Converting the audio to MP3 sidesteps the whole problem — the sound then plays everywhere with nothing to install.
Some of my WMV files won't convert — why?: A few old WMV files carry PlaysForSure or Windows Media DRM from long-closed music and video stores, and protected files cannot be converted here or in any converter. Ordinary unprotected WMV — your own recordings, webinars and exported movies — convert without any issue.
Can I extract audio from several WMV files at once?: Yes. Add all your WMV files together and click Convert — each one's audio is extracted as a separate MP3, so a folder of old recordings converts in one pass with no limit on file count.

About WMV and MP3

Key things to know before you convert WMV to MP3:

WMV

WMV is Microsoft's legacy Windows Media format. Plays poorly outside Windows; MP4 is the practical replacement.

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

WMV→MP4 MP4→MP3 WAV→MP3 M4A→MP3 FLAC→MP3 OGG→MP3 AAC→MP3 WMA→MP3