Step 1: Add your M4R files using the button above or by carry and plop.
Step 2: Click the 'Convert' button to start the conversion.
Step 3: Pull your converted MP3 files.
M4R to MP3 Conversion FAQ
How do I convert M4R audio to MP3 without losing quality?
+
Upload the M4R file and our converter chooses the MP3 codec / bitrate combination that matches the source. Lossless target (MP3 = WAV / FLAC / ALAC) preserves every sample; lossy target (MP3 = MP3 / AAC / OGG) defaults to 192 kbps which is transparent for most ears.
What bitrate does the MP3 file use?
+
A lossy MP3 is encoded at 192 kbps by default. The Audio Quality setting also offers 320 kbps for the best quality and 128 kbps for a smaller file. A lossless MP3 (WAV, FLAC) ignores the bitrate and keeps every sample.
Will going from M4R to MP3 reduce my audio quality?
+
If M4R is lossy and MP3 is lossless (e.g. MP3 → WAV), the MP3 file is no better than the M4R — you can't recover information that's already been thrown away. If M4R is lossless and MP3 is lossy, expect the MP3 codec to recompress; at 192 kbps this is transparent for most content.
Does the M4R to MP3 converter keep ID3 / metadata tags?
+
Yes — title, artist, album, year, track number, album art are read from M4R and written into the MP3 container (where the MP3 format supports tags, which all common ones do).
Can I batch convert hundreds of M4R files to MP3?
+
Yes — drop a folder of M4R files in and we process them in parallel. Premium has more parallel workers and no per-file size cap, so a 500-file batch finishes in minutes rather than tens of minutes.
Will the MP3 keep the same sample rate as M4R?
+
By default yes (48 kHz M4R → 48 kHz MP3). If you need to downsample for compatibility (e.g. 96 kHz → 44.1 kHz for CD burning) the advanced sample-rate option does this with high-quality resampling.
Can I normalize loudness in the M4R to MP3 step?
+
Not in this step. The converter has no loudness setting and leaves the level as it is. To even out the volume, run the finished MP3 through a Normalize tool on this site.
Will the MP3 play on my car stereo / iPod / Sonos?
+
MP3 plays almost everywhere. AAC plays on Apple devices, most Android phones and Sonos. FLAC plays on Sonos and Android but not on older iPods, and WAV plays on nearly everything but makes large files. There are no device presets on this page, so choose the target format your player supports.
Is my M4R file private during conversion?
+
Yes. Uploaded M4R files are processed on our own conversion servers, no person reviews them, and they are never shared. The upload and the converted MP3 are both deleted automatically about 24 hours after the conversion, which leaves time to download the result. See /privacy/ for the full policy.
How long does converting a 1-hour M4R to MP3 take?
+
Same-codec re-mux: 10-30 seconds. Re-encode to a different codec: typically 10-20% of source duration, so a 1-hour M4R → MP3 finishes in 6-12 minutes.
Why is the MP3 file louder / quieter than the M4R source?
+
The converter does not change the level: it has no gain or normalize setting. If you hear a difference, your player or media library is probably applying ReplayGain or its own volume levelling on playback; switch that off to hear the MP3 as it is.
Can I convert M4R streaming downloads to MP3?
+
If the M4R download is unprotected (no DRM), yes. DRM-encrypted streaming files (Spotify, Apple Music) are encrypted at the bit level and we can't process them. Sources from Bandcamp, SoundCloud download, and personal recordings convert fine.