Have you ever downloaded an audiobook collection only to find that many files are saved as M4B? M4B is a popular audiobook format that can store chapters, metadata, and cover images, but it is not supported by as many devices as MP3. If you want to listen to your audiobooks on more devices, converting M4B to MP3 can be a practical solution.
MP3 is supported by almost every media player, smartphone, car stereo, and portable device, making it easier to store, transfer, and play your audiobooks anywhere. In this guide, we will show you how to convert M4B to MP3 using popular tools like VLC Media Player, Audacity, online converters, and dedicated audiobook converters.
Part 1. How to Convert M4B to MP3 with VLC Media Player
If you already have VLC installed, you can convert DRM-free M4B files to MP3 without extra software. Open VLC and go to Media > Convert / Save. Click Add to import your M4B audiobook, then select Convert / Save. Under Profile, choose Audio - MP3 as the output format. Use the wrench icon to adjust settings like codec or bitrate if needed. Then, select a save location under Destination file and click Start to begin the conversion.
This method works for simple format changes, but VLC is not designed for audiobooks. It may not preserve features like chapters, bookmarks, or audiobook metadata.
01Launch VLC Media Player.
02In the menu bar, click Media > Convert / Save.
03In the Open Media window, click Add and import your M4B audiobook file.
04Click Convert / Save at the bottom.
05Under the Settings section, open the Profile drop-down menu and select Audio - MP3.
06Click Browse and choose a destination folder for the converted file.
07Enter a file name and make sure it ends with .mp3.
08Click Start to begin the conversion.
09Once the process is complete, open the selected folder to find the converted MP3 file.
Part 2. How to Convert M4B to MP3 with Audacity
Audacity is a better option if you want to edit audio before converting it to MP3. Since Audacity does not directly support M4B files, users may need to change the file extension from .m4b to .m4a before importing it.
Open Audacity and go to File > Import > Audio to add the file. After the track loads, click File > Export Audio and select MP3 Files as the output format. Choose a save location, enter a file name, and click Export. You can edit metadata in the Edit Metadata Tags window before saving. To convert only part of an audiobook, select the section in the timeline before exporting. However, chapters and bookmarks are usually not preserved.
01Locate the M4B audiobook file on your computer.
02Right-click the file and select Rename.
03Change the file extension from .m4b to .m4a and press Enter to save the change.
04Launch Audacity.
05In the menu bar, click File > Import > Audio.
06Select the renamed M4A file and import it into Audacity.
07In the menu bar, click File > Export Audio.
08In the export window, select MP3 Files as the file type.
09Choose the output folder and adjust the file name if needed.
10Click Export to convert the audiobook to MP3.
Part 3. How to Convert M4B to MP3 with iTunes
iTunes can convert some DRM-free M4B files to MP3 by creating a new MP3 version. Open iTunes and go to Edit > Preferences on Windows or iTunes > Preferences on Mac. In the General tab, click Import Settings and select MP3 Encoder under Import Using. Click OK, then select the audiobook and choose File > Convert > Create MP3 Version. The new MP3 file will appear in your library, and you can right-click it to find its location.
01Launch iTunes.
02In the menu bar, click Edit > Preferences on Windows.
03On Mac, click iTunes > Preferences from the top menu bar.
04In the General tab, click Import Settings.
05Open the Import Using drop-down menu and select MP3 Encoder.
06Click OK to save the settings.
07Go to Books > Audiobooks and select the M4B audiobook you want to convert.
08In the menu bar, click File > Convert > Create MP3 Version.
09Wait for iTunes to finish converting the file.
10Find the converted MP3 file in your iTunes media folder.
Part 4. How to Convert M4B to MP3 Online
Online converters let users convert M4B files to MP3 without installing software. Upload the audiobook, select MP3 as the output format, and download the converted file after processing. This option is convenient for occasional conversions, but many online tools have limits on file size. They also usually cannot handle DRM-protected audiobooks.
Method 1. Convert M4B to MP3 with CloudConvert
CloudConvert is an online file converter that supports audio, video, documents, and other file types. Its M4B Converter lets users convert M4B audiobook files to MP3 and other audio formats without installing software. It also allows users to adjust audio quality and other settings before conversion.
01Open the CloudConvert M4B to MP3 Converter page.
02Click Select File and upload your M4B audiobook.
03Make sure the output format is set to MP3.
04Click Convert to start the conversion.
Method 2. Convert M4B to MP3 with FreeConvert
FreeConvert is an online file conversion tool that supports various audio formats. It allows users to convert M4B files to MP3 and customize settings such as codec, volume, and trimming options. It also supports batch conversion for converting multiple files at once.
01Open the FreeConvert M4B to MP3 Converter page.
02Click Choose Files and upload your M4B audiobook.
03Confirm that the output format is set to MP3.
04Click Convert to begin the conversion.
Method 3. Convert M4B to MP3 with Zamzar
Zamzar is an online file converter that supports many formats, including audio, video, documents, and ebooks. Its M4B Converter allows users to convert M4B audiobooks to MP3 through a simple upload and conversion process. It requires no software installation and works directly in a browser.
01Open the Zamzar M4B to MP3 Converter page.
02Click Choose Files and upload your M4B audiobook.
03Select MP3 as the output format.
04Click Convert Now to start the conversion process.
Part 5. How to Convert Audible Audiobooks to MP3 with ViWizard Audible Converter
Audible audiobooks often use DRM protection, so regular tools may not be able to convert them. ViWizard Audible Converter is designed for Audible files and can convert them to MP3 while supporting features like batch conversion, adjustable bitrate settings, and metadata preservation.
ViWizard Audible Converter works on Windows and Mac. After signing into your Audible account in the program, add your audiobooks to the conversion list. Choose an output format such as MP3, M4A, M4B, WAV, AIFF, or FLAC, select options like chapter splitting if needed, and start the conversion. The converted files can then be used as standard audio files on supported devices.
Key Features of ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter
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- Convert Audible audiobooks without AA/AAX format limitations
- Export audiobooks in 6 formats for different devices and players
- Split audiobooks by chapters or sections for personalized listening
- Preserve chapter information and metadata when creating collections
- Manage Audible audiobook libraries across converted files
Part 6. Compare the Best M4B to MP3 Conversion Methods
| Method | Best For | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| VLC Media Player | Basic DRM-free M4B conversion | Free, easy to use, no extra software needed | Cannot convert DRM files, may lose audiobook features |
| Audacity | Editing M4B audio before conversion | Free, supports audio editing and trimming | Needs extra support for some M4B files, may lose audiobook features |
| iTunes | Converting DRM-free M4B files | Built-in conversion, keeps the original file | Cannot convert DRM files, has fewer options |
| Online Converter | Online M4B to MP3 conversion | No installation needed, simple to use | Needs file uploads, has file size and feature limits |
| ViWizard Audible Converter | Converting Audible audiobooks | Supports Audible files, batch conversion, metadata, and chapter splitting | Needs software installation, mainly for audiobook conversion |
The best M4B to MP3 method depends on the audiobook file and your needs. VLC and iTunes are simple options for converting DRM-free M4B files, while Audacity is useful for editing audio before conversion.
Online converters are a convenient choice because they can convert M4B files to MP3 without installing software. However, they may have limits on file size, speed, and DRM support.
For Audible audiobooks with DRM protection, a dedicated tool like ViWizard Audible Converter provides better support for converting Audible AA and AAX files to MP3. With features like batch conversion, metadata preservation, and flexible output options, it offers a more complete solution for managing Audible audiobooks across different devices.
Part 7. Final Thoughts
To convert M4B to MP3, you can choose from five different methods. Before you start, check whether your M4B files are DRM-protected. If you have Audible M4B files, you will need a dedicated tool like ViWizard Audible Converter because regular converters may not work.
For DRM-free M4B files, you can use free options like VLC, Audacity, iTunes, or online converters. Choose the method based on whether you need simple conversion, audio editing, or more audiobook features.
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Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
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