How to Convert M3U to MP3 with High Quality

Can M3U be converted to MP3? M3U files are commonly used for storing multimedia playlists, making them a popular format for organizing audio or video streaming links. However, M3U files do not contain the actual media; instead, they point to the location of the media files, such as MP3s or videos. So, when you want to listen to or store the tracks on your device, converting M3U to MP3 becomes necessary. This article will discuss several ways to convert M3U files to MP3. Whether you prefer using free tools or more advanced paid software, you'll find a solution that fits your needs.

Part 1. What Are M3U Files?

The first question that may arise is: What are M3U files? An M3U file is essentially a playlist file that contains references or links to media files, often audio tracks. These files are typically created by media players like VLC, iTunes, or Windows Media Player. M3U files only contain the paths to the actual media files (either local or online) and do not hold any audio data themselves. This means that to convert M3U to MP3, you first need to retrieve the actual audio files referenced in the playlist.

Part 2. A Powerful Video Converter to Convert M3U to MP3

HitPaw Audio Converter is a powerful program to convert video, audio, images and DVDs. It can convert files to/from 10000 formats with default presets for different devices and platforms. Therefore, it can help M3U convert to MP3, or M3U8 to MP4 without losing quality. It also supports batch conversion, making it easy to convert large playlists at once.

• Convert multiple M3U files or playlists to MP3 at once saving time for large conversions
• A user-friendly interface with simple steps for converting M3U files to MP3
• Convert M3U playlists to multiple audio formats like MP3 WAV, AAC, FLAC, etc.
• Customize video and audio parameters including resolution, bit rate, frame rate, etc.
• Lossless conversion technology ensures high quality conversion.
• Convert music from Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music to MP3.
• AI toolbox for AI noise remover, image background remover, and vocal remover.

How to Convert M3U to MP3 in HitPaw Video Converter

To get started, free download and install HitPaw Video Converter to your computer, and the follow the steps below to convert audio and video files.

• Step 1: Launch this program, and click Add Files > Add Audio to add as many audio files as you want. Or simply drag and drop your video/audio files to the convert panel.

  

• Step 2: Now, select an output format as you desire. You can choose MP3, M4A, WAV, or other audio formats.

  
  

  This program set the most suitable parameters for each format; however, users can adjust the settings to suit specific requirements. You can open the peferences window by clicking the edit icon after you select the format.

  

• Step 3: Click the Convert button to start converting your files at 120x faster speed.

  

After conversion, you can access to the file from the output folder, or play it directly using the built-in HitPaw player.

Part 3. Alternative of HitPaw to Convert M3U to MP3

Converting M3U to MP3 is essential if you want to enjoy offline listening or store audio files locally. Free tools like VLC Media Player offer a straightforward solution to convert M3U to MP3.

1. Convert M3U To MP3 Using Notepad

It is safe to assume that we are all familiar with the Notepad app. It is a text editor specifically designed to edit plain text. Converting M3U to MP3 in Notepad may sound daunting initially. However, it may get simpler as we walk you through the procedure. So, let's dive in to learn the steps you need to take to convert the format of your file:

• Right-click on the chosen M3U file and select the "Open in" option.
• Choose the Notepad app from the dropdown menu. Here, you will see your complete M3U file in text form like this:

• Click on "Save As" and select MP3 to obtain the converted file.

  

Now that you know how to convert M3U to MP3 in notepad, let's get down to exploring other ways of converting M3U files.

2. Convert M3U to MP3 with VLC

VLC media player is a versatile application that can play various media formats, including M3U playlists. However, it does not have a built-in capability to convert M3U files to MP3 directly. M3U files are playlist files that contain references to media files, while MP3 is a specific audio format. To convert M3U to MP3 VLC, you'll need to follow these steps:

• 1. Open VLC media player on your computer.
• 2. Click on "Media" in the menu bar and select "Open Network Stream" from the drop-down menu.
• 3. In the "Open Media" dialog box, go to the "Network" tab.
• 4. Locate the M3U playlist file on your computer and click "Open." This will load the playlist in VLC.
• 5. Once the M3U playlist is loaded, toggle the Play option in the lower right corner to Convert. In the Profile drop-down options, please select MP3 with H.264 codec.
• 6. Click "Start" to begin the conversion process.

VLC will now convert the media files referenced in the M3U playlist to MP3 format. The progress of the conversion will be displayed in the VLC media player window. Once the conversion is complete, you can locate the converted MP3 file in the destination folder you specified earlier.

Bonus Tips: How to Make M3U Playlist in VLC

If you want to create an M3U file, there are several options using Notepad, iTunes and VLC. The following steps demonstrate how to create an M3U playlist in VLC:

• 1. Open VLC program on your system, and tap on the Playlist button on the main interface. It will open a new Playlist window. Tap it to import your audio files to the playlist.
• 2. Now, go to the Media menu on the top menus and choose Save Playlist to File... option.
• 3. From the save as window, tap on the Manage button and then select .m3u as the extension. This will save the list of currently playlist to an M3U file.

The Final Words

In conclusion, converting M3U to MP3 format provides a significant boost to audio flexibility. While M3U files are simply text-based playlists that reference media files, MP3 is a widely supported audio format that offers compatibility with various devices and players. We've shared three ways of converting M3U to MP3. The Notepad and VLC can convert M3U to MP3 free, but they don't contain any adds-on features. HitPaw Video Converter is professional converter for any audio, video, DVD and images. And what is more, this program provides rich editing options and AI-powered features.