Bulk Convert MP3 to M4A Online — Apple Format Compatibility
Convert MP3 to Apple's native M4A format for seamless iTunes and iOS playback.
Drop up to 50 files at once — no install, no sign-up required.
Drop MP3 Files Here
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How it works
- 1 · Drop your files
Drag & drop or choose MP3 files. No account required—paid plans unlock bigger batches, higher limits, and priority queues.
- 2 · We convert securely
Processed on our dedicated servers. Encrypted in transit & at rest. We never store filenames—only file types & sizes for accounting.
- 3 · Download & auto-delete
Grab your M4A files in seconds. Files delete automatically after 1 hour. Delete anytime after downloading with one click.
MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer III) revolutionized digital audio when it was standardized in 1993 by the Fraunhofer Society. Using psychoacoustic compression, MP3 removes audio frequencies that humans typically cannot perceive, achieving 10:1 compression or better while maintaining excellent subjective quality. MP3 supports sample rates from 8-48 kHz and 16-bit audio. At 256 kbps, most listeners cannot distinguish MP3 from the original source in blind tests.
Learn more: MP3 on Wikipedia
MP3 remains the most universally compatible audio format, supported by every music player, smartphone, computer, and web browser. While newer codecs like AAC and Opus offer marginally better compression efficiency, MP3's ubiquitous support makes it the safest choice for sharing audio. The format's patents expired in 2017, making it completely free to use without licensing concerns.
M4A (MPEG-4 Audio) is Apple's container format for AAC-encoded audio, introduced with iTunes in 2001. AAC itself was standardized by MPEG in 1997 (MPEG-2) and enhanced in 1999 (MPEG-4), achieving compression ratios of 8:1 to 12:1. M4A has become synonymous with Apple's ecosystem—it's the default for iTunes purchases, Apple Music downloads, and iPhone voice memos. At equivalent bitrates, AAC delivers better quality than MP3, with 256 kbps M4A typically matching 320 kbps MP3.
Learn more: M4A on Wikipedia
M4A supports sample rates up to 96 kHz and up to 48 audio channels, including surround sound configurations. The main limitation is compatibility—while modern devices handle M4A well, older hardware and some software (particularly on Windows and Linux) may not support it natively. For universal playback, MP3 remains the safer choice. M4A excels for Apple-centric workflows: syncing to iPhone, organizing in iTunes/Music app, or archiving Apple Music downloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between MP3 and M4A?
Will converting MP3 to M4A improve audio quality?
Why would I convert MP3 to M4A?
What AAC settings do you use?
How do file sizes compare between MP3 and M4A?
What happens to ID3 tags and metadata?
How long can my audio files be?
What are the limits for this converter?
| Tier | Max File Size | Max Files/Batch | Parallel Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guest/Free | 50 MB | 50 files | 3 at once |
| Pro | 2048 MB | 1000 files | 6 at once |
Note: File size limits are specific to this converter. Batch and parallel processing limits apply to all images converters site-wide. See all converter limits →
How are credits calculated for this conversion?
Cost: 1 credit per 5 minutes
How it works:
- Files up to 5 minutes: 1 credit
- 6-10 minutes: 2 credits
- 11-15 minutes: 3 credits
- 16-20 minutes: 4 credits
Example: A 10-minute file = 2 credits. A 180-minute (3h) audiobook = 36 credits.
Why per-minute? Audio conversion time scales with content duration, not file size. Longer audio requires proportionally more processing.
What are my daily and monthly credit limits?
Credit allocations vary by account tier:
| Tier | Daily Limit | Monthly Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Guest | 100 credits/day | — |
| Free | 100 credits/day | — |
| Pro | — | 12,000 credits/month |
Daily credits (Guest & Free tiers) reset every day at midnight UTC. Monthly credits (Pro) reset on your billing cycle date.
Note: With 1 credit per 5 minutes, audio files under 5 MB cost 1 credit each. Pro users can convert 12,000 audio files per month.
Answers at a Glance
Quick answers to common questions.
- Are my files secure?
- How long do you keep my files?
- What metadata do you keep?
- What happens after I drop a file?
- Why are conversions so fast?
- How do you measure performance?
- What are the exact limits for each plan?
- Can I process files in bulk?
- Why did my file fail to convert?
- Do you use my files to train AI?
What's New in MP3 to M4A
Latest improvements to this converter
Initial release of MP3 to M4A converter with AAC encoding.
Need to get more done? Pro starts from $5.
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