Free • Secure • Fast

MP3 to M4A Converter — Fast & Free Online

MP3 to M4A converts MPEG-1 Layer III audio into an MPEG-4 container, often keeping similar quality while enabling AAC-friendly playback on Apple devices.

100% Free
Secure & Private
Fast Conversion
No Registration
Convert MP3 to M4A Now

Source
Drag and drop files here or click to browse

Drop your file here, or click to browse

Supports all major formats

Up to 50 MB (free)BATCH SUPPORT
1CONVERTER Media Team - 1CONVERTER Team Logo
1CONVERTER Media Team·Audio & Video Specialists·
Official
format_quote

How MP3 to M4A Conversion Works

The MPEG-1 Audio Layer III format applies psychoacoustic lossy compression to remove frequencies the human ear perceives least, producing small files at acceptable audio quality. Converting to M4A produces an audio file that stores AAC-encoded audio in an MPEG-4 container, the standard audio format produced by iTunes and Apple devices. This conversion changes the file's encoding, compression method, and supported feature set. The audio is re-encoded to the target codec; converting between two lossy formats compounds generation loss, so a higher bitrate keeps it minimal. This makes M4A the practical choice when the destination system requires it or when the target format offers better compatibility or compression. 1converter runs this conversion on the server: your file is uploaded encrypted over HTTPS, converted using trusted open-source libraries, and the output is held for 24 hours before automatic deletion.

How to Convert MP3 to M4A

Follow these simple steps to convert your MP3 files to M4A format in seconds

1

Step 1

Upload your .mp3 file to the converter.

upload
2

Step 2

Choose M4A as the output format (AAC-in-MPEG-4 container).

tune
3

Step 3

Select an audio quality/bitrate option if the tool offers it to control size vs fidelity.

bolt
4

Step 4

Convert the file and wait for the processing to finish.

cloud_done
5

Step 5

Download the resulting .m4a file and play it on your target device.

verified

Average conversion time: Less than 2 minutes

Visual Conversion Preview

mp3

Source file

Size:2.4 MB
Format:MP3
bolt

Converting...

m4a

Output file

This visualization shows the typical conversion process from MP3 to M4A format, including expected size reduction and quality retention.

tune

Choose Your Conversion Quality

Select the perfect balance between quality and file size for your MP3 to M4A conversion

bolt

Low Quality

Smallest file, basic quality

File Size:Very Small
Speed:Very Fast
Quality Level
Recommended
tune

Medium Quality

Balanced size and quality

File Size:Medium
Speed:Fast
Quality Level
target

High Quality

Larger file, great quality

File Size:Large
Speed:Moderate
Quality Level
workspace_premium

Maximum Quality

Largest file, best possible quality

File Size:Very Large
Speed:Slow
Quality Level

tips_and_updatesQuality Selection Tips

When to use Low/Medium:

  • •Web uploads and social media sharing
  • •Email attachments with size limits
  • •Quick previews and thumbnails

When to use High/Maximum:

  • •Professional printing and publishing
  • •Archive and long-term storage
  • •When quality is more important than size

Audio Tip: For music, High quality (320kbps) is recommended. Medium quality works well for podcasts and voice recordings.

Why Convert MP3 to M4A?

Discover the advantages of converting your MP3 files to M4A format

auto_awesome

Wraps your audio in an M4A (MPEG-4) container for smoother Apple iOS/iPadOS playback.

auto_awesome

Can reduce file size when re-encoded to AAC compared with typical MP3 bitrates.

auto_awesome

M4A supports AAC efficiently, which often sounds cleaner at lower bitrates.

auto_awesome

Better compatibility with Apple tools that expect M4A/AAC instead of MP3.

auto_awesome

Keeps your audio duration and structure while changing only the file format/container.

Additional Features

169+
Supported Formats
<2 min
Average Time
24/7
Available
music_note

Popular Use Cases

See how professionals use our MP3 to M4A converter in real-world scenarios

1

Move a music track to iPhone/iPad and keep it in a preferred M4A/AAC format.

Convert MP3 to M4A for this purpose quickly and easily.

music_note
2

Prepare podcasts or voice notes for editing in apps that accept M4A natively.

Convert MP3 to M4A for this purpose quickly and easily.

music_note
3

Archive audio libraries in a container commonly used for iTunes/Apple Music workflows.

Convert MP3 to M4A for this purpose quickly and easily.

music_note
4

Reduce storage usage by converting MP3s to a smaller AAC-based M4A at similar perceived quality.

Convert MP3 to M4A for this purpose quickly and easily.

music_note
5

Share audio files with recipients whose devices or players handle M4A more reliably than MP3.

Convert MP3 to M4A for this purpose quickly and easily.

music_note

Trusted by Professionals In

code
Web Development
palette
Graphic Design
edit_note
Content Creation
business_center
Business
format_list_bulleted

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about converting MP3 to M4A

Not automatically: MP3 is already lossy, so quality depends on the output bitrate/codec settings. If you re-encode to AAC at a sufficient bitrate, it can sound as good or slightly better.
MP3 is an audio codec format (MPEG-1/2 Layer III), while M4A is typically an MPEG-4 container that often holds AAC audio. The container affects compatibility, while the codec affects compression and quality.
Both formats can store metadata, but tag fields and conventions differ. Proper conversion preserves common metadata, though some applications may display titles/artists differently.
M4A (AAC in an MPEG-4 container) is widely supported across Apple ecosystems, including iTunes and iOS playback. Many players handle MP3 too, but M4A usually fits Apple-native expectations.

Still Have Questions?

Our support team is here to help you with any questions about MP3 to M4A conversion.

Contact SupportView All FAQs
bolt

Related Conversions

Explore other popular file conversion options

M4Aarrow_forwardMP3

Convert M4A to MP3

Online M4A to MP3 converter. Fast, free, and secure conversion.

Convert Nowarrow_forward

Can't Find Your Conversion?

We support 169+ file formats. Browse our complete list of conversions or start converting now!

Start ConvertingView All Formats