Best 5 Ways to Convert M4B to MP3 for Free

Part 1. What Is M4B and Why Convert M4B to MP3?

What Is M4B?

Before we get into the solutions to convert M4B files to MP3, let's firstly take a look at the M4B file itself.

M4B is a file extension for audiobooks based on the MPEG-4 standard. Unlike M4A, another common audiobook format, the M4B audiobooks support chapter markers which make it easy for listeners to jump to the beginning of any chapter while playing. Currently, most M4B audiobooks are sold from online digital content stores, such as iTunes.

M4B VS MP3: Which One to Choose?

Feel confused about M4B VS MP3 difference? Here is a complete comparison between these two audio formats.

Why Convert M4B to MP3?

There are several key reasons to convert M4B to MP3, primarily involving compatibility, flexibility, and more convenient file management. M4B is ideal for audiobooks, while MP3 is a universal standard.

• Universal Compatibility: M4B files typically require iTunes or the Apple Books app and may not play on Android phones, older MP3 players, or other media players. Therefore, converting M4B files to MP3 is essential for playback on more devices, as nearly every media player and device on the planet supports MP3—including older car stereos, portable MP3 players, and numerous software applications.
• Flexibility: M4B audiobooks purchased from iTunes and other online retailers are DRM-protected and can only be played on the service platform. After conversion to MP3, you can freely listen to the audiobook on any platform or device without worrying about format restrictions or DRM issues.
• Easier File Management: Individual M4B files can be large and difficult to manage on some devices. While M4B supports chapters, converting to MP3 typically splits the audiobook into multiple smaller MP3 files, making each chapter easier to navigate and share.

Part 2. How to Convert M4B to MP3 for Free

There are several free and accessible ways to convert M4B files to MP3, each with its own advantages. Here are four free methods you can use on your desktop

Way 1. Convert M4B to MP3 via iTunes

iTunes has the feature of converting files to different formats. But this feature only works for common files. If your audiobooks are in unprotected M4B, you can use iTunes to encode M4B format to MP3 with the following steps:

1. Initiate the iTunes application. For users of Mac Catalina 10.15 or newer, switch to the Books app for this process.
2. Proceed to access the Preferences menu.
   
   • On Windows: Navigate through the Edit menu and select Preferences.
   • On Mac: Locate iTunes/Books on the top menu bar and choose Preferences.
3. In the General tab, click on Import Settings… to modify the encoding settings.
   
   • For Import Using, select MP3 Encoder from the drop-down options.
   • Set the quality to Good Quality (128 Kbps) and confirm by clicking OK to save these adjustments.
4. Return to the main interface under Books > Audiobooks and select the M4B files you wish to convert.
5. From the menu bar, navigate to File and then opt for Convert > Create MP3 Version. Now wait until iTunes to complete the conversion process.

Way 2. Convert M4B to MP3 via VLC

In addition to iTunes, you can also use VLC to convert M4B to MP3. The VLC media player is a free and open-source media player which is workable on both Windows and Mac computers. If you use a Windows computer and do not want to install iTunes on your computer, just try VLC. Here are the steps about how to convert M4B to MP3 with a VLC media player.

1. Download and open VLC, then navigate to Menu > Media > Convert/Save.
2. Add M4B audiobook files into the VLC media player by dragging and dropping them directly into the interface, followed by clicking the Convert button located at the lower left.
3. Within the settings window that appears, select the Profile dropdown menu and choose Audio - MP3. Although VLC defaults to a 22.05kHz encoding rate for MP3 audio, this can be adjusted by clicking the wrench icon adjacent to the Profile settings.
4. Click the Browse button to select the destination folder and file name for the new MP3 file. (Note: Be sure to manually add the .mp3 extension to the file name, otherwise VLC may create an unusable file.)
5. Click Start to begin the conversion.
6. Once the conversion is complete, your new MP3 file will appear in the destination folder you selected.

It's important to note that VLC isn't specifically designed as an audio converter, which means its codec may be less efficient, resulting in a larger file size compared to the original M4B. Additionally, our tests indicate that batch converting M4B audiobooks with VLC takes a more extended period.

Way 3. Convert M4B to MP3 via Audacity

Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor that can also function as a M4B to MP3 converter. It requires the FFmpeg library to support M4B files, but it offers greater control over the output.

Step 1Download Audacity and the FFmpeg Library

1. Download and install Audacity.
2. Download the FFmpeg library installer from the official website lame.buanzo.org.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the library on your computer.

Step 2Configure Audacity to Recognize FFmpeg

1. Open Audacity.
2. On Windows, go to Edit > Preferences. On Mac, go to Audacity > Preferences.
3. In the Preferences window, select the Libraries section from the left-hand list.
4. Next to the FFmpeg Library Version information, click the Locate… button.
5. Navigate to the default installation path and select the avformat-*.dll file (on Windows) or the libavformat.dylib file (on Mac).

Step 3Convert your M4B file to MP3

1. Go to File > Import > Audio, then select the M4B file.
2. Go to File > Export > Export as MP3.
3. Choose a location and filename for the new MP3 file. Audacity will then perform the conversion.

Way 4: Convert M4B to MP3 via Online Converter

If you don't like to install any software on your computer when converting the M4B to MP3, you are suggested to use some web tools to create an MP3 version from M4B audiobooks online. Currently, there are many M4B to MP3 converters online to be employed. Here, we highly recommend Zamzar, a free website which can convert your M4B files to MP3 and other formats effectively. It only takes 3 simple steps to complete the M4B to MP3 conversion with Zamzar M4B to MP3 converter online.

1. Open Zamzar iTunes M4B to MP3 Converter.
2. Hit the "Add Files" button to import your M4B audiobook into Zamzar. You also have the option to enter the file URL or drag and drop the file directly into the platform, with a maximum file size limit of 50MB.
3. Choose MP3 as the desired output format.
4. Initiate the conversion by clicking the "Convert Now" button, allowing Zamzar to handle the M4B to MP3 transformation online.
5. Once the conversion is complete, download the newly converted file to your device by clicking the "Download" button.

Part 3. How to Convert Audiobooks to MP3/M4B with Chapters

The above free methods work perfectly for converting DRM-free M4B files to MP3 format. However, if you have higher conversion requirements, such as converting DRM-protected audiobooks (like those from Audible), preserving original audio quality, retaining chapter markers, or splitting audio files, then ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter is a better choice for you.

Why? Because ViWizard Audiobook Converter can batch download all purchased titles from your Audible library into DRM-free formats, including MP3, M4A, M4B, FLAC, WAC, and AIFF. Before conversion, you can customize audio quality settings like bitrate, sample rate, and channels. Additionally, you can split audiobooks into chapters or segments, allowing you to organize the output MP3 files more efficiently.

Part 4. FAQs about Changing M4B to MP3

Conclusion

To convert M4B to MP3, you have 5 different ways. Before you start to choose one, you'd better try to figure out whether your M4B files are protected or not. If your M4B audiobooks are Audible M4B files, you need to choose a powerful audio converter like ViWizard Audible Converter. If your files are not protected, you can select any one of the 4 free ways.