extract audio from video ffmpeg
Extract audio from video with FFmpeg
If you need to extract audio from video with FFmpeg, the usual goal is to strip the sound track into a separate file for playback, transcription, or downstream processing. This page shows the practical FFmpeg command, the matching FFmpeg API request, and an online tool you can test in the browser.
FFmpeg CLI
How to extract audio from video in FFmpeg
A common FFmpeg audio extraction workflow drops the video stream, selects an audio codec, and writes the result into a standalone audio file.
FFmpeg audio extraction command
Click any part of the command to see what it does.
FFmpeg audio extraction command
ffmpeg
This runs the FFmpeg binary. The rest of the command defines the source file, removes the video stream, and writes a separate audio output.
API
Use the same audio extraction workflow through the FFmpeg API
If you need audio extraction inside your product, app, or backend workflow, the FFmpeg API gives you a faster path than maintaining your own media processing infrastructure. You can send one args-based request and reuse the same workflow in production.
Request
curl -X POST https://ffmpeg-api.cloud/v1/jobs \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"ffmpegArgs": [
"-y",
"-i",
"{{input}}",
"-vn",
"-acodec",
"libmp3lame",
"{{output}}"
],
"inputs": {
"input": {
"type": "url",
"url": "https://example.com/input.mp4"
}
},
"outputs": {
"output": {
"fileName": "audio-output.mp3"
}
}
}'Response
{
"jobId": "job_01hxyz...",
"status": "queued",
"runtimeSeconds": 0,
"creditsCharged": 0,
"createdAt": "2026-04-14T10:30:00.000Z"
}Online tool
Try this FFmpeg API audio extraction tool online
Upload a source video, choose the output audio format, and run the extraction job in the browser. It is the quickest way to test the workflow before wiring the same request into your own app or backend.
Live playground
Extract audio from video with FFmpeg
Strip the audio track from a source video with an args-based FFmpeg API request.
Use cases
Common ways to use FFmpeg audio extraction
Extracting audio is useful when you want a standalone sound file for listening, analysis, or downstream machine workflows.
Prepare audio for transcription or ASR
Strip the audio track from source videos before speech-to-text, moderation, captioning, or search indexing workflows.
Create audio-only deliverables
Generate MP3, WAV, or AAC files from recorded webinars, demos, interviews, or podcasts originally captured as video.
Simplify downstream media pipelines
Split audio from video when your app needs separate storage, review, or processing paths for each stream.
FAQ
FFmpeg extract audio FAQ
Common questions about extracting audio from video with FFmpeg, choosing output formats, and moving the same workflow into the FFmpeg API.
Related templates
Other FFmpeg templates
Explore other FFmpeg templates for MP4 to MP3, trimming, metadata inspection, and more.