WEBM FORMAT

WebM Converters

Extract audio from YouTube downloads and web videos.

About WebM

WebM is an open, royalty-free video format launched by Google in 2010 as part of the WebM Project. Based on the Matroska container, WebM pairs VP8, VP9, or AV1 video with Vorbis or Opus audio (typically 64-160 kbps). The format was designed specifically for HTML5 video delivery, offering efficient compression without patent licensing fees. Opus audio, in particular, achieves excellent quality at low bitrates—often matching MP3 quality at half the file size.

Learn more: WebM on Wikipedia

WebM files are commonly encountered from YouTube downloads (youtube-dl, yt-dlp), screen recorders, and web-based video tools. YouTube uses WebM as one of its primary delivery formats, making it a frequent source for audio extraction. While Chrome, Firefox, and Edge play WebM natively, other devices may lack support—extracting to MP3 or WAV ensures universal compatibility.

Quick Facts

Extension: .webm
Developed By: Google
First Released: 2010
Video Codecs: VP8, VP9, AV1
Audio Codecs: Vorbis, Opus
Max Resolution: 8K (7680×4320)
Browser Support: Chrome, Firefox, Edge
Licensing: Royalty-free

Extract Audio from WebM (2 tools)

WebM to MP3

Extract audio from WebM videos and save as MP3

WebM to WAV

Extract audio from WebM videos and save as lossless WAV

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do WebM files come from?

WebM files most commonly come from YouTube downloads (via yt-dlp, youtube-dl, or browser extensions), screen recorders, and web-based video tools. YouTube uses WebM as one of its primary delivery formats.

You'll also see WebM from Discord video uploads, web-based video editors, and some Linux screen capture tools like OBS when configured for WebM output.

What audio codec is inside WebM files?

WebM files contain either Vorbis or Opus audio. Opus is the newer, more efficient codec—it achieves AAC quality at roughly half the bitrate.

YouTube WebM downloads typically use Opus at 48kHz, 128-160 kbps. Our converter handles both codecs automatically and produces high-quality MP3 or lossless WAV output.

Why can't I play WebM files on my phone?

iPhones don't support WebM natively. Apple never adopted the format—Safari on iOS/macOS cannot play WebM files at all. Android has better support but it varies by device.

Extracting to MP3 solves this completely—MP3 plays on every phone, car stereo, and audio app ever made. If you just want the audio, this is the easiest path to universal compatibility.

Is WebM better quality than MP4?

WebM with VP9 or AV1 video can achieve better compression than MP4/H.264 at the same quality level. That's why YouTube uses it—smaller files mean lower bandwidth costs.

For audio specifically, Opus (WebM's audio codec) is more efficient than AAC (MP4's typical audio codec). But when extracting to MP3 or WAV, the output quality depends on our encoder settings, not the source format.

Answers at a Glance

Quick answers to common questions.