101convert.com
Convert mp3 to m4a

Free online MP3 to M4A converter

Can I convert .mp3 audio files to .m4a format?

Convert MP3 to M4A online - free

Uploading…
Selected files exceed the 180 MB total limit. Please select fewer or smaller files.

Bitrate

Your file is processed instantly and never stored on our servers.

How to convert mp3 to m4a file

  • Audio

Converting MP3 Audio Files directly to MPEG-4 Audio Files (.mp3 to .m4a conversion) is certainly possible and quite straightforward.

Use one of numerous audio editing programs or (online) conversion tools, such as Awave Studio or MediaMonkey, which allow users to import MP3 audio files and export them in M4A format.

101convert.com Assistant Avatar

101convert.com assistant bot
1yr

Understanding MP3 and M4A file formats

The MP3 file format, short for MPEG Audio Layer III, is a popular audio coding format that uses lossy compression to reduce file size while maintaining sound quality. It is widely used for music and audio streaming due to its compatibility with most media players and devices.

The M4A file format, which stands for MPEG-4 Audio, is an audio file format that is part of the MPEG-4 standard. It typically uses the Advanced Audio Codec (AAC) for compression, offering better sound quality at similar bit rates compared to MP3. M4A files are commonly used in Apple's iTunes and are compatible with a wide range of devices and software.

How to convert MP3 to M4A

Converting MP3 files to M4A can be beneficial if you want to take advantage of the improved audio quality and compression efficiency of the M4A format. Here are the steps to convert MP3 to M4A:

Best software for MP3 to M4A conversion

One of the best software options for converting MP3 to M4A is VLC Media Player. VLC is a versatile media player that supports a wide range of audio and video formats and includes a built-in conversion feature.

Steps to convert using VLC Media Player

  1. Open VLC Media Player.
  2. Go to Media → Convert/Save.
  3. Click on Add and select the MP3 file you want to convert.
  4. Click on Convert/Save at the bottom.
  5. In the Profile dropdown, select Audio - AAC (M4A).
  6. Choose a destination file by clicking Browse and set the file name with a .m4a extension.
  7. Click Start to begin the conversion process.

Another excellent tool for this conversion is Freemake Audio Converter, which offers a user-friendly interface and supports batch conversion.

Steps to convert using Freemake Audio Converter

  1. Download and install Freemake Audio Converter.
  2. Launch the program and click on +Audio to add your MP3 files.
  3. Select to M4A from the format options at the bottom.
  4. Choose the desired quality settings.
  5. Click Convert to start the conversion.
Was this information helpful?

MP3 vs M4A: format comparison

How the MP3 and M4A formats compare on the properties that matter most for this conversion.

Comparison of the MP3 and M4A file formats
Property .MP3 MPEG-1 Audio Layer III .M4A MPEG-4 Audio
Compression Lossy Both
Audio quality High —
Audio channels Up to stereo —
Metadata support Extensive Extensive
Streaming Partial Yes
DRM protection Optional Optional
Opens in a web browser Yes, natively Yes, natively
Typical file size Small Small
Open standard Partly open Yes
Best used for Music Music
Introduced 1993 2001
Developer Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) / ISO/IEC
MIME type audio/mpeg audio/mp4
Open MP3 file Open M4A file

Suggested software and links: mp3 to m4a converters

Any Audio Converter icon

Any Audio Converter

A versatile audio converter and audio extractor
Awave Studio icon

Awave Studio

Audio editing software with wide audio formats support
Bigasoft Audio Converter icon

Bigasoft Audio Converter

Audio converter for Windows and Mac
Blaze Media Pro icon

Blaze Media Pro

A multimedia converter
No icon available

dBpoweramp Suite

A set of audio and ripping utilities for Windows
fre:ac icon

fre:ac

A free audio converter and CD ripper for Windows, Mac and Linux
Freemake Audio Converter icon

Freemake Audio Converter

A popular free audio converter
Freemake Video Converter icon

Freemake Video Converter

One of the most popular and successful free video conversion software
Helium Music Manager icon

Helium Music Manager

A music library management program
Max for Mac icon

Max for Mac

A free audio converter and audio CD grabber for OS X
MediaMonkey icon

MediaMonkey

A digital media player and library
SUPER icon

SUPER

A free universal media, audio & video converter
Tiny Audio Converter icon

Tiny Audio Converter

Audio converter for Mac
WavePad icon

WavePad

An audio editing software for Windows and Mac
Xilisoft iPhone Ringtone Maker icon

Xilisoft iPhone Ringtone Maker

A iPhone ringtone creator for both Mac and Windows
Xilisoft iPod Rip icon

Xilisoft iPod Rip

An iPod music backup utility
XRECODE3 icon

XRECODE3

An audio converter and audio-grabber for Windows

Frequently asked questions

Is the MP3 to M4A converter free?

Yes, converting MP3 to M4A on 101convert.com is completely free. No registration, email address or installation is required.

How large can my MP3 file be?

You can upload MP3 files up to 1000 MB and convert up to 100 files at once in a single batch.

What happens to my uploaded files?

Files are processed automatically and deleted from our servers within a few minutes after conversion. We never view or share your files.

Do I need to install any software to convert MP3 to M4A?

No. The MP3 to M4A conversion runs entirely online in your browser and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone.

Did the conversion fail?

In most cases, the cause is an incorrect file format. Please upload a valid MP3 file for this MP3 to M4A conversion. Occasionally, the issue may be on our side. We analyze recurring conversion failures and disable or fix the converter if we detect a defect.

mp3 to m3u8 mp3 to m4b

Additional formats for
mp3 file conversion

Reverse conversion

Convert to m4a from
other formats

Share on social media: