YouTube to MP3 downloader
- Audio only, small files
- Real bitrate on every option
- Great for podcasts and lessons
About MP3
Listen without the video
Sometimes the picture is not the point. A lecture, an interview, a sleep story or a live set sounds just as good with the screen off, and an audio file is a fraction of the size of the video. That is what YouTube to MP3 on Y2mate is for.
You may know this as YTMP3. Paste a link and Y2mate lists the audio tracks YouTube has for that video, each labelled with its real bitrate and size. We never pad the list with made-up options: every row is a real track. Most videos offer clear 128 kbps sound.
Audio files are small, so you can carry a whole course of lectures or a weekend of podcasts without filling your phone. They also keep playing with the screen off, which saves battery on long trips. When you do want the picture, the same link works on our YouTube to MP4 page.
How it works
Turning a YouTube video into an MP3
The Audio group is listed first on this page, so your MP3 options are right at the top.
Step 1:Copy the link
From the YouTube app or website, tap Share and Copy link. Music videos, podcasts and Shorts all work.
Step 2:Paste it above
Paste the link into the box. Y2mate looks it up and shows the audio options first.
Step 3:Download the MP3
Check the bitrate and size, then press Download. Save the file to your music or files app.
On your device
Where your MP3 ends up
Saving works the same on every device. This is where to find the file afterwards.
Android phones and tablets
Downloads land in the Files app under Downloads. Most music players pick them up, or you can add the folder by hand.
iPhone and iPad
Safari saves audio to Files, then Downloads. Play it right there, or share it to the audio or podcast app you prefer.
Windows, Mac and Linux
Look in your Downloads folder, then open the file in your music player or drag it into your library to keep things tidy.
Tips
Tips for MP3 downloads
Get the most out of your audio files with a few simple habits.
Podcasts and lectures
Speech sounds clear at any bitrate Y2mate lists, so long talks fit easily on your phone.
Name your files
Rename downloads with the artist or episode so your music app sorts them neatly.
Add them to your library
Most music players can import files from your Downloads folder. Look for Import or Add files.
Small on storage
A minute of 128 kbps audio is about 1 MB, so an album-length mix stays well under 100 MB.
Download soon after lookup
Audio links expire after a few hours. Press Download and Y2mate refreshes old links for you.
Respect the artist
Only keep audio you are allowed to save, like your own recordings or freely licensed tracks.
Audio guide
Audio quality at a glance
YouTube stores audio at a few set bitrates. Higher numbers keep more detail, lower numbers make smaller files. Here is what each one is good for and how much space it takes.
| Bitrate | Best for | Typical size per minute |
|---|---|---|
| 128 kbps | Music, audiobooks and everyday listening | about 1 MB |
| 48 kbps | Speech, podcasts and very tight data plans | about 0.35 MB |
The list only ever holds bitrates YouTube really offers for that video, which is why many videos show just one audio row.
FAQ
YouTube to MP3 questions
Quick answers about saving audio from YouTube.
Is YouTube to MP3 on Y2mate free?
Yes. Saving audio from a YouTube link costs nothing. There is no sign-up, and you can run as many lookups as you need.
What bitrate are the MP3 files?
Each option shows its real bitrate, most often 128 kbps. We list exactly what YouTube provides and never invent higher numbers.
Why is the MP3 so much smaller than the MP4?
Audio needs far less data than moving pictures. A ten-minute talk is around 10 MB as audio but can be many times that as video.
Where do MP3 files go on iPhone?
Safari saves them to the Files app in Downloads. From there you can play them directly or share them to another audio app.
Can I get the audio from a Short?
Yes. Paste the link to the Short and the audio option appears in the same list as any other video.
Can I download music with Y2mate?
Only save music you have the right to keep, such as your own songs or tracks released under a free licence. Supporting artists keeps the music coming.
Will the audio play with my screen locked?
In most music and file apps, yes. Once the file is saved on your device it behaves like any other song or podcast, so it keeps playing with the screen off.
What does YTMP3 mean?
YTMP3 is shorthand for YouTube to MP3: taking the sound from a YouTube video and saving it as an audio file.
Audio will not play?
Try opening it in a different music or files app first, since some players are fussy about new files. If it still will not open, send us the link and the device you used, and we will look into it.