How to Record Audio from YouTube in 2026 (5 Tested Free Methods)

Want to record audio from YouTube for offline listening, podcasts, livestreams, or commentary? There are several ways to do it on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, but the best method depends on what you actually need.

If you want the easiest way to record YouTube audio, browser-based tools like Web Audio Capture work well for quick recordings. For higher sound quality and advanced editing, Audacity is still one of the best free options. And if you want to record both YouTube audio and microphone commentary without a complicated setup, a dedicated audio recorder like EaseUS RecExperts is usually the simplest solution.

To help you choose faster, here's a quick comparison of the best ways to record audio from YouTube in 2026.

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How to Record Audio from YouTube on PC and Mac with EaseUS RecExperts

If you want to record audio from YouTube without dealing with complicated setups or virtual audio drivers, EaseUS RecExperts is one of the easiest options for both Windows and Mac. It can capture internal system audio directly from YouTube videos, livestreams, podcasts, and music playback with just a few clicks.

Unlike browser extensions that may stop during long recordings, EaseUS streaming audio recorder supports long-session recording, microphone input, and multiple export formats, including MP3, WAV, and AAC. It's especially useful if you want to record YouTube audio together with your own voice commentary or save high-quality audio for offline listening.

Here's how to record audio from YouTube on Windows and Mac:

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.

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How to Record YouTube Audio with Audacity for Free

If you want to record audio from YouTube for free, Audacity remains one of the most reliable options. This open-source audio recorder can capture both internal system audio and microphone input separately, making it useful for recording YouTube livestreams, music, podcasts, or voice commentary on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Audacity also gives you more control over the final recording than most browser-based tools. You can adjust sample rates, reduce background noise, trim unwanted sections, and export audio in formats like MP3, WAV, or FLAC. The setup can take a little longer, especially on macOS, where internal audio recording may require BlackHole, but the audio quality and flexibility are worth it for many users.

Here's a guide to capture songs from YouTube video with Audacity:

Note: The steps below are based on Audacity version 3.7.5. If you are using a different version, the interface or some options may vary slightly.

Step 1. Install Audacity

Download from the official website to ensure safety.

Step 2. Set up Audio Source

• On Windows: Click Audio Settings, and make sure that your settings match the ones in the following image so that Audacity knows to record the audio coming from your computer, not your microphone. 
• On Mac: Use a virtual audio device like BlackHole to route system audio into Audacity.

Step 3. Start Recording

• Open the YouTube video and click Record in Audacity.
• Monitor levels to avoid clipping and ensure clean capture.

Step 4. Export Audio

• After recording, go to File > Export > Export as MP3/WAV.
• Optionally, embed metadata such as title and artist for better organization.

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How to Record Sound from YouTube Online via Chrome Extension

If you want to record audio from YouTube quickly without installing desktop software, Web Audio Recorder is one of the simplest options available. This free Chrome extension can capture the audio playing in your current browser tab, making it useful for recording YouTube music, lectures, podcasts, or short livestreams directly from Chrome.

Because it works entirely in the browser, setup only takes a few seconds. However, it can only record audio from the active Chrome tab and may become unstable during very long recordings. In my testing, recordings longer than about an hour were more likely to stop unexpectedly, so it's best suited for quick or occasional YouTube audio capture rather than long-session recording.

Here's how to record YouTube audio to MP3 free online: 

Step 1. Go to the Chrome Web Store, search for "Web Audio Capture", and click "Add to Chrome" to install.

Step 2. Play the YouTube video you want to record, and make sure the YouTube video is playing in the active tab, as the plugin only captures audio from the current tab.

Step 3. Click the extension icon in the top-right corner of your browser and select "Start Capture" to begin recording.

Step 4. When done, click the icon again and choose "Save Capture" to export the audio file.

How to Record Audio from YouTube on iPhone

Recording audio from YouTube on mobile devices is slightly different from doing so on computers, but it's still possible with the right tools.

You can use the built-in screen recording feature to capture YouTube audio on iPhone, then extract the audio using apps or shortcuts. Make sure to turn the microphone off if you only want the video's sound.

Here is how to record YouTube audio on iPhone or iPad:

Step 1.  Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center, then tap the Screen Recording button. Press the microphone off to capture only the video's audio.

Step 2. Open YouTube video, and play the video you want to record.

Step 3. Tap the red status bar at the top and select Stop. The video is saved to Photos.

Step 4. To extract audio only from the video recording, use a free app or import the video to EaseUS RecExperts to detach and export the audio track for free.

How to Record Audio from YouTube Video on Android

The way to record YouTube audio on Android is similar to iOS: you can use the built-in screen recorder to capture both video and audio from YouTube, then extract the audio from the recorded video using a video-to-audio converter. This method is widely used when direct audio-only recording is not available on Android devices.

Here is how to record YouTube audio on Android:

Step 1. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings panel, then tap Screen Recorder. If you don't see it, add it from the edit menu in your notification settings.

Step 2. Before starting, make sure to enable "Media sound" or "Internal audio" (if available). Some devices also allow recording with microphone input, depending on your needs.

Step 3. Open the YouTube app or browser and start playing the video you want to record.

Step 4. Tap Start to begin screen recording. Let the video play until the audio you need is fully captured.

Step 5. Tap the floating control or notification bar to stop recording. The video will be saved to your gallery or file manager.

Step 6. Use a video-to-audio converter app like CapCut to extract audio from the recorded video in MP3 or other formats.

YouTube Audio Recording: Legal & Safe Practices

Before recording audio from YouTube, it's important to understand copyright rules. So, is recording YouTube audio legal?

YouTube content is generally protected, and recording should be limited to personal use cases such as study, research, commentary, or educational purposes.

Fair use may apply depending on factors like how much content is recorded, how it is used, and whether it is transformed or added to. However, fair use is not guaranteed and varies by region.

Avoid using recorded YouTube audio for redistribution, reposting, or commercial purposes, as this may violate copyright law and YouTube's Terms of Service. Always use trusted tools and respect content ownership to reduce legal and security risks.

When recording audio from YouTube, please be aware of copyright considerations:

Final Verdict

Recording audio from YouTube is less about finding one perfect tool and more about choosing the right method based on your actual use case. If you want the simplest setup, Chrome-based tools are enough for quick and occasional recordings. If audio quality and editing control matter more, Audacity remains the strongest free option. For users who want an all-in-one experience with system audio and microphone recording without technical setup, dedicated recorders like EaseUS RecExperts are more practical.

In short, your choice should depend on three things: how often you record, whether you need high-quality output, and how much setup you're willing to handle. Matching the tool to your workflow will give you far better results than relying on a single best solution.

Record Audio from YouTube FAQs

Some frequently asked questions about capturing audio from YouTube are listed here. 

1.  Is it legal to record music from YouTube?

Recording copyrighted music from YouTube without permission is generally illegal and violates YouTube's Terms of Service. Personal use may be tolerated in some countries, but redistribution or commercial use is not allowed.

2. How to record a YouTube video?

You can use a professional YouTube video recorder, like EaseUS RecExperts, OBS Studio, etc. Then, play the YouTube video, launch the software, and click REC to start your recording.

3. How do I save audio from YouTube?

You can save audio from YouTube by using YouTube Premium for offline listening or by recording system audio with software like Audacity or EaseUS RecExperts. Downloading copyrighted music without permission is generally illegal.