- Step 1: What You Need to Know Before Burning a Spotify Playlist to a CD
- Step 2: Convert Your Spotify Playlist to a CD-Compatible Format (MP3 or WAV)
- Step 3: Decide Between an Audio CD or an MP3 CD
- Step 4: Burn Your Spotify Playlist to a CD on Windows or Mac
- Step 5: Finalize and Verify Your Burned Spotify CD
- Step 6: Play Your Spotify Playlist from a CD
- Pro Tips: Tips and Mistakes to Know When Burning Spotify Music
Great albums are harder to come by these days. When a Spotify playlist finally comes together, it often feels worth keeping. Burning those songs to a CD remains a practical option, particularly in situations where streaming isn't always reliable.
Streaming is convenient, but it has limits. A CD will still play in older cars without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and removes the need to interact with a phone while driving. In those situations, physical media continues to serve a clear purpose.
Spotify, however, operates differently from traditional music stores. It doesn't sell individual music files and doesn't include an option to burn CDs directly. As a result, there's no built-in way to turn a Spotify playlist into a physical disc. The process relies on a workaround.
This guide walks through that workaround step by step. It explains how to burn a Spotify playlist to a CD for use in a car, a home stereo, or simple backup. Before starting, it helps to set expectations. Spotify music should be burned for personal use only, and any form of commercial distribution should be avoided. For a fully supported option, buying songs from digital stores like iTunes is still the simplest way to burn music to a CD.
Step 1: What You Need to Know Before Burning a Spotify Playlist to a CD
The first step focuses on what you need to know before you start. When you think about burning Spotify music to a CD, you might imagine taking files from your PC or Mac and putting them directly onto a blank disc. But Spotify streams music rather than selling audio files, storing licensed music in a hidden cache. These files aren't MP3s or WAVs because of DRM, which locks Spotify's music. Even with a Premium subscription and downloads, they aren't ready for CD burning. That's why software like ViWizard Spotify Music Converter is needed to remove DRM and convert Spotify music.
Check the legality of burning music to a CD:
Now that ViWizard Spotify Music Converter makes it possible, what about legality? In most cases, backing up music to Audio CD-Rs, mini-discs, or tapes for personal use is allowed. As long as it's not for commercial use, you're generally fine, since royalties are typically paid for these formats.
A brilliant Spotify music downloader designed to download and convert Spotify songs, playlists, albums, artists, podcasts, and audiobooks to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B losslessly. The sound stays as clear as the original, and all track details are preserved, offering a seamless experience to enjoy your Spotify music offline on any player or device.
Step 2: Convert Your Spotify Playlist to a CD-Compatible Format (MP3 or WAV)
CDs only work with standard audio formats, so Spotify songs must be converted to MP3 or WAV. You'll be asked to choose a format: MP3 is compressed and lossy, saving space and allowing more tracks per disc. WAV is uncompressed and preserves more detail, but uses much more storage. The key is to choose based on your priorities: quantity or quality.
Tool Required: ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
Conversion is the most important technical step, and ViWizard Spotify Music Converter makes it easy. It's a specialized converter that removes DRM from Spotify songs, playlists, or albums and extracts audio files in MP3, WAV, M4A, M4B, FLAC, or AIFF. Once converted, burning the CD works as usual - you drag the files into any CD burning program and choose either an Audio CD or MP3 CD.
Why ViWizard unlocks the ability to burn a CD from Spotify?
ViWizard works with both Premium and free accounts, so you don't need another subscription. It preserves original quality (MP3 up to 320 Kbps, FLAC up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz) and keeps song info organized. There's no limit to how many songs you can convert - whether full playlists, albums, or entire libraries. For a standard audio CD, start with 10–15 songs to fit within the 74–80 minute limit, and check the playlist or album duration before starting.
Key Features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
Free Trial Free Trial* Security verified. 5, 481,347 people have downloaded it.
- Download Spotify songs, playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks extremely fast at up to 15x speed
- Convert Spotify into MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B losslessly
- Lets you play Spotify tracks offline on any device without restrictions
- Works seamlessly on Windows and macOS, supporting the built-in Spotify Web Player
Step 1Download and Install ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
Start by downloading ViWizard Spotify Music Converter for your computer. Be sure to choose the correct version for your operating system (Windows or Mac). Once the download is complete, open the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install the software. After installation, launch ViWizard to begin converting your Spotify tracks into editable formats that are perfect for burning to a CD.
Step 2Log In and Add Spotify Tracks for Conversion
When ViWizard opens, log in to your Spotify account to access your music library. You can browse through your playlists, albums, or select your favorite songs that you want to burn onto a CD. Once you've selected the tracks, click the "+" button located at the bottom-right corner of the interface. This action will load the chosen tracks into ViWizard, preparing them for conversion.
Step 3Choose Output Format and Settings
Now that you've selected your tracks, click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner of the app to open the Preferences menu. Under the "Conversion" section, choose a compatible format for CD burning, such as MP3 or WAV. For the best sound quality, set the bitrate to 320kbps. You can also customize other settings, such as sample rate and channels, to ensure your music is top-notch and ready for burning.
Step 4Convert and Download Spotify Music
Once your settings are configured, hit the "Convert" button to start the conversion process. ViWizard converts your Spotify tracks up to 15x faster than standard converters, so you won't have to wait long. As the conversion progresses, you can monitor each track's status. Once the process is complete, head to the output folder where your newly converted files are saved in the format you selected.
Step 3: Choose Between an Audio CD or an MP3 CD
Once the files are converted, decide how the CD will be structured. An Audio CD follows a traditional format that works with most CD players, including older car stereos, but has strict time limits - usually around 80 minutes. MP3 CDs allow many more tracks by storing audio files as data, but they require a player that supports MP3 playback.
Step 4: Burn Your Spotify Playlist to a CD
Once you have your files and disc ready, the actual burn process begins. On Windows, you can use iTunes or Windows Media Player, while Mac users may choose Apple Music, iTunes, or other CD burners like CDBurnerXP or Ashampoo Burning Studio.
Watch out for a couple of common issues: tracks may shuffle randomly, or errors can pop up if you burn too fast. To avoid trouble, see the Pro Tips section below for more guidance and mistakes to avoid.
Method 1: Using iTunes [Windows/macOS]
iTunes is a classic way to burn music CDs. You create a playlist, then use "Burn Playlist to Disc" to make a standard audio CD or MP3 CD. Users like that it's simple, reliable, and lets you adjust things like track gaps and CD‑Text. It only works with local files, not Apple Music streams.
Step 1: Open iTunes on your computer.
Step 2: Create a new playlist by selecting "File" > "New" > "Playlist" and give it a name.
Step 3: Drag the songs you've converted from your Spotify playlist to this new playlist in iTunes.
Step 4: Insert a blank CD into your computer's CD/DVD drive.
Step 5: Select the newly created playlist.
Step 6: Click on "File" in the top-left corner and choose "Burn Playlist to Disc."
Step 7: Configure your CD burning settings (e.g., preferred disc format, burn speed).
Step 8: Click "Burn" to start the CD burning process.
Method 2: Using Windows Media Player [Windows]
Windows Media Player comes with Windows and is easy for basic CD burning. Just drag songs to a burn list, choose Audio or Data CD, and start. People appreciate its simplicity and quick setup, though it has limited CD‑Text support and may struggle with very large playlists.
Step 1: Open Windows Media Player on your PC.
Step 2: Click the "Burn" tab located in the top-right corner.
Step 3: Drag and drop the ViWizard-converted Spotify tracks into the Burn List on the right-hand side.
Step 4: Insert a blank CD into your computer's CD/DVD drive.
Step 5: Configure your CD burning settings as desired (e.g., burn speed, track order).
Step 6: Click the "Start Burn" button to begin the CD burning process.
Method 3: Using VLC Media Player [Windows/macOS/Linux]
VLC is mainly a media player, but you can also burn audio CDs using playlists or Convert/Save. Some users like it because it's free and cross-platform, though burning isn't as straightforward as dedicated software.
Step 1: Open VLC Media Player.
Step 2: Click on "Media" in the top-left corner and select "Convert/Save."
Step 3: Click the "Add" button and select the ViWizard-converted Spotify tracks you want to burn.
Step 4: Click "Convert/Save."
Step 5: In the "Profile" dropdown menu, choose "Audio CD."
Step 6: Click "Start" to begin the CD burning process.
Method 4: Using BurnAware [Windows]
BurnAware is a lightweight, standalone CD burner for Windows. It handles audio CDs, data discs, and ISO images. Users love it for being fast, easy to use, and flexible, offering more control than built-in tools without being complicated.
Step 1: Open BurnAware.
Step 2: Select "Audio CD" from the main interface under the "Create" section.
Step 3: Drag and drop your ViWizard-converted Spotify tracks into the BurnAware window.
Step 4: Arrange the tracks in the desired order.
Step 5: Insert a blank CD into your computer's CD/DVD drive.
Step 6: Select your preferred burn speed and other settings.
Step 7: Click "Burn" to start the CD burning process.
Step 5: Finalize and Verify Your Burned Spotify CD
Once the burn is done, finalize the disc. This ensures it works in regular CD players, not just your computer. Then verify that all tracks play correctly. Skipping this step can lead to a disc that stutters, skips songs, or won't play at all on some devices, so don't skip it.
Step 1 After the burn finishes, don't eject the disc yet. In your CD burning program, choose the option "Finalize disc" or "Close session". This makes sure the CD will play in all players, not just your computer. If the program warns about making the disc read-only, just confirm to continue.
Step 2 Eject the CD and then reinsert it into your computer. Open your file explorer or media player to make sure the disc is recognized. If it shows as blank or unplayable, the burn didn't work, and you'll need to try again.
Step 3 Play the first few tracks on your computer. Make sure each song starts and ends correctly and that the order matches your playlist. If there are skips or gaps, note them for your next burn.
Step 4 Test the CD on a real playback device, like a car stereo, boombox, or home CD player. Some players handle gaps or formats differently, so this step ensures your CD works outside the computer.
Step 5 If everything plays properly, label your disc and store it in a case to prevent scratches. Your Spotify playlist is now ready to listen to anywhere.
Step 6: Play Your Spotify Playlist from a CD
Finally, the moment of truth: test your CD. Try it in the devices you'll actually use, whether it's a car stereo, boombox, or home CD player. Make sure the tracks play in the right order and sound as expected.
Option 1: Playing the Burned CD in Your Car
Insert the CD into your car stereo. It works in most standard CD players, so you can enjoy your Spotify playlist while driving.
Step 1 Make sure your car has a working CD player and it's clean. Some newer cars only play MP3 CDs, so double-check that.
Step 2 Insert the CD while the car is parked to make sure it loads smoothly and plays without skipping.
Step 3 If it doesn't start automatically, select "CD" as the source.
Step 4 Use your car's controls to play, skip, or change the volume.
Step 5 If the CD skips or doesn't work, it might be scratched, dirty, or not supported by your car's system.
If your car doesn't have a CD player, try using a USB CD drive with an AUX or Bluetooth adapter.
Option 2: Playing the Burned CD on a DVD Player
Most DVD players can read Audio CDs. Pop the CD in and use the player's controls to play, pause, or skip tracks.
Step 1 Make sure your device can play regular audio CDs. Some only support MP3 CDs.
Step 2 Place the CD in the tray with the label facing up.
Step 3 Switch the input to "CD" if needed.
Step 4 Adjust the volume and sound settings as you like.
If your speakers don't have a CD player, you can rip the CD to your computer and stream the songs to smart speakers using Bluetooth, AirPlay, or Chromecast.
Option 3: Playing the Burned CD on a CD Player
Home or portable CD players handle standard Audio CDs easily. Just insert the disc and press play to listen anywhere.
Step 1 Make sure the CD player is charged or plugged in.
Step 2 Put the CD in with the label side up.
Step 3 Most players will start automatically. Use the buttons to play, skip, or pause.
Pro Tips: Tips and Mistakes to Know When Burning Spotify Music
Some small adjustments make a big difference. These tips are useful if you treat your CD seriously:
Playlist cleanup matters
Before converting, take a look at your playlist. Remove duplicates, extended live versions, or songs you don't actually listen to. Reorder the tracks exactly how you want them on the CD, since the burn order follows your files, not Spotify's playlist.
Pick the right format
Not all formats are equal. For Audio CDs that will play in car stereos or older players, WAV or AIFF is best. For MP3 CDs, stick with 320 kbps MP3 (CBR). Avoid VBR MP3s and AAC unless you know your player can handle them, or you may spend more time troubleshooting than listening.
Mind the volume
Spotify tracks come from all over, so their loudness varies. If you skip normalization, your CD may jump from whisper-quiet tracks to blasting loud ones. Most converters have ReplayGain or normalization - turn it on. Your ears will thank you.
Gaps are not just for decoration
By default, most burning apps insert 2-second gaps between songs. That works for casual playlists, but for continuous albums, live recordings, or DJ-style mixes, set the gaps to 0 seconds. Otherwise, the flow can feel off.
Slow and steady wins the burn
High-speed burns might sound tempting, but they often cause read errors. Stick to 8× or 16× for reliable playback, especially if your CD is headed for a car stereo.
Track info isn't optional
CD-Text may feel fancy, but it matters. Without it, your car stereo might just display "Track 01, Track 02" instead of song titles and artists. Check your track numbers and metadata before you burn.
Back it up
Finally, save those converted files somewhere safe. Discs scratch, players fail, and when that happens, you'll be glad you didn't have to reconvert your entire playlist.
Conclusion
Can you burn songs from Spotify to a CD? Sure! You are able to make a CD from Spotify by using ViWizard Spotify Music Converter. After completing the conversion, you can burn Spotify songs to CD through iTunes, Windows Media Player, and VLC media player. Have a try, and you'll find it out.
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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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