How to Record YouTube Audio with Audacity [2026]

Ever wondered how to record YouTube audio on your computer? Using Audacity is great for saving a podcast, capturing background music, or creating an offline playlist. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it a free and powerful option. But setting it up correctly might be tricky. This guide walks you through the easiest way to record YouTube audio with Audacity.

What You Need to Record YouTube Audio in Audacity

Before you start recording, it's important to set up Audacity and your system audio correctly. This helps avoid common issues like no sound, distorted audio, or failed recordings.

1. Download and Install Audacity

• Download the latest stable version of Audacity (3.x) from the official website and install it on your system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
• After installation, open Audacity to make sure it runs properly.

2. Check Built-in Codecs and Optional Libraries

• MP3 export: Recent versions of Audacity already include the LAME MP3 encoder, so no separate installation is required.
• FFmpeg (optional): Installing the FFmpeg library allows Audacity to import and export a wider range of audio formats, which can be helpful if you plan to convert or edit recordings later.

3. Configure System Audio Input

On Windows:

• If available, enable Stereo Mix in your system's recording devices.
• If Stereo Mix is missing, use Windows WASAPI in Audacity and select your system playback device. This method is generally more reliable on modern Windows systems.

On macOS:

• Users cannot record internal audio on Mac by default.
• You'll need a virtual audio device (such as Loopback or BlackHole) to route system audio into Audacity.
• Keep in mind that this is a workaround, and recording success may vary depending on your macOS version and hardware. Using a third-party Mac audio recorder might be a better choice.

On Linux:

• Most Linux systems support system audio recording via PulseAudio or PipeWire.
• In Audacity, set the Host to PulseAudio (or PipeWire) and choose a Monitor or loopback device as the input.
• If no monitor source appears, enable it in your system sound settings or a mixer tool like pavucontrol.

4. Test Your Audio Input

• In Audacity, select the correct input source and start monitoring the input.
• Play a YouTube video and check whether sound waves appear in the timeline. If you see waveform activity, your setup is working and you're ready to record.

Once these steps are completed, you're ready to start recording!

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Recording YouTube Audio with Audacity on Windows

Compared to macOS and Linux, recording YouTube audio with Audacity is generally more straightforward on Windows. Most Windows PCs support system audio capture natively through options like Windows WASAPI or Stereo Mix, without requiring third-party virtual audio drivers or complex routing. This means users can record YouTube audio directly with fewer setup steps and a higher success rate.

Additionally, Audacity's integration with Windows audio APIs makes it more stable for long recordings and less prone to system-level restrictions. For users looking for a free, offline solution to capture YouTube audio, Windows remains the most compatible and beginner-friendly platform.

🚩Here is how to record audio from YouTube video with Audacity on Windows:

Step 1. Open Audacity and Set Up Recording

• Launch Audacity on your PC.
• Expand the Audio Host drop-down and select Windows WASAPI (recommended for recording system audio). Use MME only if WASAPI causes compatibility issues with your device.
• In the Recording Device dropdown, select your system playback device with (loopback) in its name, e.g., Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio) (loopback).
• Set Recording Channels to 2 (Stereo) for better audio quality.

Step 2. Start Recording Audio from YouTube

• Open YouTube and play the video you want to record.
• Click the Record button in Audacity.
• Let the video play completely while Audacity captures the audio.
• Click Stop when the recording is finished.

Tip: Check the waveform while recording to ensure audio is being captured correctly.

Step 3. Edit and Export

• Trim unwanted parts: Use the Selection Tool (I-beam icon) to highlight sections, then press Delete.
• Enhance audio quality: Use Effects > Noise Reduction to remove background noise. Use Equalization or Compressor to improve clarity.
• Export final file: Click File > Export and choose your preferred format (MP3, WAV, etc.). MP3 export works out-of-the-box in recent Audacity versions.

🚩Here is a video tutorial about recording YouTube music with Audacity:

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:15 Starting Audacity
• 0:56 Recording audio
• 1:53 Recording rights
• 2:05 USB microphone
• 2:50 Editing

 

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How to Record from YouTube with Audacity on Mac

Recording YouTube audio on macOS with Audacity is slightly more complex than on Windows, because macOS does not provide native system audio capture. To record internal audio, you need to use a virtual audio device such as Loopback, BlackHole, or Soundflower to route your system audio into Audacity. Once the virtual device is set up, you can capture YouTube audio, edit it, and export it just as you would on Windows.

🚩Here's how to record audio from a YouTube video with Audacity on Mac:

Step 1. Set Up a Virtual Audio Device

• Install a virtual audio driver like BlackHole (free) or Loopback (paid).
• Configure your system audio to output through the virtual device.
• In Audacity, go to the Audio Host drop-down and select Core Audio.
• In the Recording Device dropdown, select the virtual audio device as input.
• Set Recording Channels to 2 (Stereo) for better audio quality.

Step 2. Start Recording YouTube Audio

• Open YouTube in your browser and play the video you want to record.
• Click the Record button in Audacity.
• Let the video play while Audacity captures the audio.
• Click Stop when the recording finishes.

Tip: Watch the waveform to ensure audio is being captured correctly.

Step 3. Edit and Export

• Trim unwanted parts: Use the Selection Tool (I-beam icon) and press Delete.
• Enhance audio quality: Apply Effects > Noise Reduction and Equalization to improve clarity.
• Export final file: Click File > Export and choose your preferred format (MP3, WAV, etc.). On recent Audacity versions, MP3 export works without installing additional plugins.

How to Record YouTube Audio with Audacity on Linux

Recording system audio on Linux with Audacity typically relies on PulseAudio or PipeWire providing a monitor or loopback source for your sound output. This monitor input acts like the Stereo Mix you see on Windows, so Audacity can capture audio being played by the system.

Step 1. Configure Your Audio Host

• Most distributions use PulseAudio or PipeWire by default.
• Open Audacity, set Audio Host to PulseAudio or PipeWire (depending on your system).
• In the Recording Device dropdown, look for a Monitor or loopback device associated with your playback output.

Step 2. Enable Monitor Capture (if needed)

• Install and open PulseAudio Volume Control (pavucontrol).
• In the Recording tab, select the Monitor of as the capture source.
• If using PipeWire, make sure pipewire-pulse or similar compatibility packages are installed so the monitor source appears.

Step 3. Start Recording

• Play the YouTube video in your browser.
• Hit Record in Audacity.
• If audio isn't captured, ensure the monitor source is selected and Audacity has the correct host device.

Pros & Cons of Using Audacity for YouTube Audio Recording

Audacity is a popular free and open source audio recorder for recording YouTube audio, but it has both advantages and limitations. Here's a concise, user-friendly summary based on official documentation and real user feedback.

Bonus: Audacity Alternative to Record Music from YouTube

While Audacity is a powerful free audio recording software for editing YouTube audio, it can be challenging for beginners or users who want to record system audio and microphone at the same time. On macOS and Linux, capturing internal audio often requires extra virtual devices or configuration, and the hit-and-record approach isn't straightforward.

For users looking for a simpler, more versatile solution, EaseUS RecExperts is a strong alternative. It allows you to record system sound, microphone, or both simultaneously with just a few clicks. Its intuitive interface makes capturing YouTube music easier, and the built-in recording modes ensure high-quality audio without complicated setup. Whether you want to record a full playlist, a livestream, or combine voice commentary, RecExperts streamlines the process that can be cumbersome with Audacity.

Step 1. Launch the EaseUS audio recorder and choose the Audio recording mode.

Step 2. Click the Settings button to adjust audio settings like formats, bitrate, or sample rate.

Step 3. Play the YouTube video that you want to capture the audio track in your browser. When you are ready, click REC to start your audio recording.

Step 4. To finish it, you just click on the red square icon to stop the recording.

Record YouTube Audio with Audacity FAQs

1. What program can record YouTube audio?

EaseUS RecExperts is the most professional recording software for capturing high-quality YouTube audio without a time limit and exporting the recordings in the desired format.

2. Can you record audio directly to Audacity?

Yes, you can effortlessly record the audio directly to Audacity by pressing the Record button to start and the Stop button to finish. It also lets you trim and edit the recorded files.

3. Is it legal to record YouTube audio?

This depends on the purpose of recording and using the YouTube audio. YouTube's TOS does not allow the recording and distribution of copyrighted content from the platform without consent, which can result in severe legal action.

4. Is Audacity good for recording audio?

Yes, Audacity is widely used for recording and producing audio tracks because it is completely free. However, beginners may struggle to work with playback devices, different audio sources, and interfaces.