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Best YouTube to MP3 Converter
How to rip and convert Youtube video to MP3 with VLC:
  • Copy and import URLs.
  • Enable "Download then Convert Mode" and choose the output format as MP3.
  • Click Download to export all audio files.

Note: We resolutely oppose all forms of copyright-infringing downloads. This tutorial is only for informational and educational purposes.

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How to Convert YouTube to MP3 with VLC (2025 Guide)

Julia Becker
Julia Becker Originally published Mar 12, 25, updated Mar 12, 25
6 min(s)

YouTube is one of the go-to video platforms for millions of internet users globally. This platform offers a wide range of video content, from educational videos to DIY videos, ASMR videos, motivational videos, music videos, and many more that you can access for free without limitations. 

However, if you’re looking to extract an audio clip from a YouTube video, you might find it difficult.

To help you out, we’ve created this comprehensive guide explaining the ultimate ways to convert YouTube to MP3 with VLC open source tool and other powerful YouTube to MP3 converters. 

In this article
  1. Download YouTube Video to MP3 VLC with Network Stream
  2. Download MP3 from YouTube VLC Via Video Location
  3. Rip and Convert YouTube Video to MP3 with One-Click
  4. FAQs about VLC YouTube to MP3

Part 1: Download YouTube Video to MP3 VLC with Network Stream

VLC offers a wide range of features that allow you to perform various editing tasks on your videos, and the “Network Stream” feature is one of them.

The network stream feature in VLC allows you to extract audio clips from your videos without compromising quality. 

How to convert YouTube video to MP3 using VLC:

Step 1: Open VLC Media Player on your computer and click on “Media” in the menu bar.  Then, select “Open Network Stream.”

 select open network stream

Step 2: Open “YouTube” in your browser and copy the URL of the video that you’d like to extract audio from.

 copy youtube video url

Step 3: Paste the copied URL into the blank field that says “Please enter a network URL.”

 paste youtube url in vlc

Step 4: Click “Play” at the bottom-right side to start streaming the video. Then, navigate to Tools > Codec Information.

select codec information
  • Copy the “Location URL” from the bottom of the window.
copy video location url

Step 5: Navigate to “Open Network Stream” again using “Step 1” and paste the copied URL into the URL field.

paste location url in vlc
  • Click the “Drop-down icon” next to “Play” at the bottom right side and select “Convert.”

Step 6: In the new window that appears on your screen, navigate to the “Profile” section and select “Audio MP3” format.

 select audio format for youtube

Step 6: Lastly, choose the destination to save the converted MP3 file, then click “Start” at the bottom right corner to start converting the YouTube video to MP3.

 convert youtube video to mp3 vlc

Part 2: Download MP3 from YouTube VLC Via Video Location

Another way to download MP3 from YouTube with VLC is via video location, though you still need to access “Open Network Stream” for this operation. Also, this method is very efficient, especially for Mac users.

Step 1: Open the “VLC media player” on your Mac or PC.

Step 2:  Click on “File” from the top bar and select “Open Network” > “Network” (for Mac) or “Open Network Stream” (for Windows)

Step 3: Copy and paste the “YouTube video URL” into the “URL field”  and click on “Open.”

paste video url into url field

Step 4: Next select “Window” (for Mac) or “Tools” (for Windows) from the top menu. Then, choose  “Media Information” and select “General” > “Location” and copy the video’s location address.

copy video location url 

Step 5: Open your web browser and paste the copied URL into the browser.  Right-click the video and choose `Save Video As` to save it on your Mac.

Step 6: Navigate back to “VLC” and choose “File” > “Convert/Stream” (for Mac) or “Media “ > “Convert/Save” (for Windows), and drag and drop the video you just downloaded here. Head to “Choose Profile” and select “Audio - MP3.” Then, click on “Save as File” to save the MP3 version of the YouTube video. 

save converted mp3 file 

Part 3: Convert YouTube Video to MP3 with One-Click

While VLC offers a free method to convert YouTube videos to MP3, the process requires extra steps and it’s not efficient for converting multiple YouTube videos to MP3. If you’re looking to convert bulk YouTube videos to MP3, you need more reliable software like Wondershare Uniconverter.

Wondershare Uniconverter is a powerful software that offers a wide range of tools, including YouTube to MP3 converter. And the best part? It supports other audio formats besides MP3, such as WAV, FLAC, and many others. 

Also,  this tool retains the original quality of your audio clip, and you can use it to perform other tasks like video editing, video compression, etc.

uniconverter video converter

All-in-One Video Converter

Easily rip videos from over 1000 sites and convert videos to MP3 and more formats with ultra-fast speed and premium quality.

Here is how to use Uniconverter to convert YouTube videos to MP3:

Step 1: Upon downloading the Uniconverter software on your Mac or PC, click on the “+ Add File(s)” button under the “Converter” and import the downloaded YouTube video file that you want to convert to MP3.

 select add file 

Step 2: After importing the video, navigate to the “Video Formats” drop-down menu next to the “Gear icon” and select  “MP3” as the desired file format under the “Audio” section. 

 select mp3 audio format 
  • You can also customize the output quality according to your preference. Then, hit the “Create” button to proceed.

Step 3: Finally, hit the “Convert All” button and wait for the Uniconverter to process the video. Then, save the MP3 file to your computer. 

convert youtube to mp3 with uniconverter

FAQs about VLC YouTube to MP3

How to Convert YouTube to MP3 in VLC?

The best way to convert YouTube to MP3 in VLC is by using the “Open Network Stream” feature. You can follow the steps we shared in the article to understand how it works. 

What is the Safest YouTube to MP3 Converter?

The safest YouTube to MP3 converter is the Wondershare Uniconverter software. This tool boasts 99.99% success rate in converting YouTube to MP3, and it does not reduce the quality of the converter audio clip. 

Can I Legally Convert a YouTube Video to MP3?

The legality of converting a YouTube video to MP3 depends on YouTube’s terms of service and copyright laws in your country. If you want to stay completely legal, use YouTube Premium’s offline download feature or check if the content owner allows downloads.

Conclusion

While the process of converting YouTube to MP3 on VLC involves extracting the video stream and manually converting it, the tool offers a free, secure, and reliable alternative to online converters. However, for users looking for a faster and more efficient method to convert bulk YouTube videos to MP3, the Wondershare Uniconverter software is the best tool for your needs. It ensures high-quality audio when converting YouTube videos to MP3.

Julia Becker
Julia Becker Mar 12, 25
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