How to convert a YouTube video to WAV
Copy the link
Open the video in the YouTube app or website, tap Share, then Copy link. On a computer you can also copy the address from the browser bar.
Paste and pick a sample rate
Paste the link in the box above. Choose 44.1 kHz for music and audio projects, or 48 kHz if the sound is going into a video edit.
Convert and save
Press Convert to WAV. When the green Download WAV button appears, tap it and the file is saved on your device.
What a WAV file is and why people use it
WAV is a simple audio format that stores sound without compression. MP3 and the audio inside YouTube videos are compressed: parts of the sound are thrown away to make files small. A WAV file keeps every sample as it is, which is why it is the standard working format in music studios, radio and video editing.
Uncompressed audio matters most when you are going to change the sound. Every time a compressed file is cut, mixed and saved again as MP3, a little more quality is lost. Starting from WAV avoids that extra loss, so your final export sounds as clean as possible. WAV also loads instantly in editing software, because the program doesn't have to decode it first.
To be clear about quality: YouTube itself stores audio in a compressed format, so a WAV made from a YouTube video cannot sound better than the original upload. What you get is that sound in its fullest form, with no second round of compression on top, in a file that every editor, sampler and DJ program accepts.
What you get with YTWav
Real uncompressed WAV
Every file is standard PCM audio, 16-bit stereo, the same kind of file a CD or a recording studio uses.
44.1 kHz or 48 kHz
Use 44.1 kHz for music, podcasts and CDs. Use 48 kHz for video projects, so the audio matches your timeline without resampling.
Ready for any editor
Open the file in Audacity, Adobe Audition, FL Studio, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, GarageBand, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve or CapCut.
Cut just the part you need
Use Trim to pick a start and an end on the video player and convert only that part. A short fade makes the clip start and end cleanly.
A fair line when it's busy
If lots of people convert at the same time, you get a place in line and can see your number, instead of an error message.
Files are deleted for you
Your WAV is removed from our server about 20 minutes after it is made, so download it soon after converting.
WAV or MP3: which one do you need?
WAV files are large because nothing is compressed. If you only want to listen to something on your phone, MP3 is usually the better choice. If you are going to edit, mix, sample or burn a CD, WAV is the right format. This table shows the difference.
| Format | Best for | File size for 10 minutes |
|---|---|---|
| WAV 44.1 kHz | Music production, podcasts, sampling, DJ software and audio CDs | About 100 MB |
| WAV 48 kHz | Video editing, YouTube and film projects, broadcast | About 110 MB |
| MP3 320 kbps | Listening on phones, saving storage, sharing | About 24 MB |
Sizes are for stereo 16-bit audio and are the same for every video of the same length, because WAV isn't compressed. A one-hour video makes a WAV of about 600 to 700 MB, so check your free storage first. If you only need a small file for listening, use our MP3 converter at yttomp3converter.net.
Downloading on iPhone, Android and computer
iPhone and iPad
Open YTWav in Safari, convert the video and tap Download WAV. Tap Download when Safari asks, then find the file in the Files app under Downloads. It plays there, and you can share it straight into GarageBand, LumaFusion or another audio app.
Android phones and tablets
Open YTWav in Chrome or any other browser, convert the video and tap Download WAV. The file is saved in your Downloads folder. Most music players and editing apps on Android can open WAV files directly.
Windows, Mac and Linux
Click Download WAV and the file is saved in your Downloads folder. Drag it into your audio or video editor, or double-click it to play it in your default player.
If a video doesn't convert
Most problems have a simple cause. First, make sure you copied the full link of a single video, not a channel or search page. Links that start with youtube.com/watch, youtu.be or youtube.com/shorts all work, and links from inside a playlist will save only that one video.
Some videos can't be converted at all: private and members-only videos, age-restricted videos, videos that are blocked in certain countries, and live streams that are still running. Videos longer than 1 hour are also not supported, because their WAV files would be very large and slow to download.
If the converter says it's busy, wait a minute and try again. If a download is slow, remember that WAV files are big: on a slow mobile connection a long file can take a few minutes, so a Wi-Fi connection is a good idea.
Use YTWav responsibly
YTWav is meant for audio you have the right to use, such as your own uploads, recordings the creator allows you to download, and content shared under a free license like Creative Commons. Please don't use it to copy and re-upload other people's music or to use their work in your projects without permission. Respecting creators helps keep free tools like this one available. If you own a video and want it blocked from our converter, see our DMCA page.
Frequently asked questions
Is YTWav free to use?
Yes. Converting and downloading is free. There is no account, no app to install and no daily limit.
What kind of WAV files do I get?
Standard PCM WAV, 16-bit stereo, at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz depending on your choice. These files open in every audio editor, video editor and DJ program.
What does Original mean?
Original keeps the audio at the sample rate YouTube uses, so it isn't resampled. It is the cleanest choice and right for most people. Pick 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz only if your project needs that exact rate.
Should I choose 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz?
Choose 44.1 kHz for music, podcasts and CDs. Choose 48 kHz if you are adding the audio to a video project, because most video is edited at 48 kHz.
Does WAV sound better than MP3?
WAV avoids an extra round of compression, which matters most when you edit the sound. It can't add detail that wasn't in the YouTube upload, so for simple listening you may not hear a difference.
Why is the WAV file so big?
WAV stores audio without compression, about 10 MB for every minute of stereo sound. That is normal and is exactly what makes it good for editing.
Can I convert YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Copy the link of the Short from the Share button and paste it in the box. You get the sound of the Short as a WAV file.
Can I convert only part of a video?
Yes. Press Trim, play the video and set the start and end, or type the times. Only that part is converted, so the WAV is smaller and ready sooner. With Trim you can also take up to 1 hour from a longer video.
Does YTWav work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. It runs in your phone's browser. On iPhone, the file is saved in the Files app under Downloads. On Android, it goes to your Downloads folder.
Why did my video fail to convert?
Private videos, age-restricted videos, videos blocked in some countries, live streams and videos longer than 1 hour can't be converted. Check the link or try another video.
Do you keep my files or my history?
No. Converted files are deleted automatically about 20 minutes after they are made, and we don't keep a list of the videos you convert.
Can I get MP3 or MP4 instead?
YTWav makes WAV audio. For smaller audio files use yttomp3converter.net, and to save the video itself use yttomp4converter.net.
Can I use the audio in my own videos or music?
Only if you have the rights. Use your own recordings, content whose owner allows reuse, or audio under a free license. Using copyrighted music or audio without permission may break the law where you live and YouTube's terms.