How to Convert YouTube to MP3 Longer Than 2, 6, or Even 10 Hours

Converting long YouTube videos to MP3 offers great convenience. This MP3 conversion saves storage space by replacing large video files with smaller audio files. It also allows you to enjoy TED talks, music playlists, or tutorials on your various devices, from smartphones to portable music players and car stereos. Whether you are a student reviewing a lengthy course or a music lover wanting uninterrupted playlists, converting long YouTube video to MP3 meets your needs easily.

In this article, we will show you how to convert long YouTube videos to MP3 efficiently while ensuring high-quality audio for the best listening experience, no matter whether the video is longer than 2 hours, 5 hours, or 8 hours.

Stable YouTube to MP3 Converter for Long Videos on PC/Mac

EaseUS Video Downloader can quickly convert lengthy videos into 320 kbps MP3 files. Whether you are saving lectures or podcasts, this tool ensures your audio remains high-quality and clear. You can use it to extract audio from the video without any length limit, whether it is 2 hours or 8 hours. Other features and functions include:

• Downloads and converts videos in various formats, such as MP3 and WAV.
• Converts multiple videos, playlists, or channels at once, saving time and effort.
• Supports MP3 conversion at 320kbps (High Quality), 256kbps (Mid Quality), and 128kbps (Low Quality).
• Converts videos to MP3 either by a link or by uploading local files, with no time limit.
• Secure and reliable with no malware or intrusive ads.
• Supports downloading audio with subtitles (within the built-in player, you can choose different languages).

How to Convert Long YouTube Videos to MP3

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Video Downloader. From the top menu bar, set the file format to Audio.MP3 and the quality to Best.

Step 2. Copy the link, open EaseUS Video Downloader, click Paste Link, and it will start analyzing the video.

Step 3. Click the downward arrow or the blue word Continue to start the MP3 downloading.

Step 4. When it finishes, you can locate your MP3 file under the Finished tab, or you can browse the folder C:/EaseUS_VideoDownloader, which is the default location to store all downloaded video and audio files.

Disclaimer: Please make sure your behavior doesn't violate the content owner's rights when converting videos from YouTube. EaseUS does not advocate downloading any video/audio for sale, distribution, or other commercial purposes.

Convert Long YouTube Videos to MP3 for 2+ Hours for Free

VLC Media Player is a free, open-source, and cross-platform multimedia player that supports media conversion, streaming, subtitle synchronization, and more. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms. With the built-in transcoding feature, it can convert videos to different formats, including MP3 audio.

Unlike EaseUS Video Download, which can directly convert a YouTube URL to MP3, VLC does not support a one-click way to do that. You need to save the video locally first before converting with VLC. If you want to use VLC to download videos, please follow the instructions in this article: How to Download YouTube Videos in Laptop.

To use VLC to convert long YouTube videos to MP3, especially those that have been downloaded on your device:

Step 1. Click on "Media" > "Convert/Save."

Step 2. Click "Add" to browse and open your video file.

Step 3. Click on "Convert/Save" to download YouTube to MP3 for more than 2 hours or even longer.

Step 4. Under "Settings," in "Profile," choose "Audio - MP3."

Step 5. Hit Browse and give a destination file name with the extension ending in .mp3.

Step 6. Click Start. The progress will be shown in the VLC interface. Once it is complete, you'll find the converted MP3 file in the destination folder you specified.

Updated Info: Recently, you cannot use VLC for playing or downloading YouTube videos. If you enter a YouTube link, you will see the "Your input can't be opened" error. For more information, please go to Reddit and join the conversation.

Compared to VLC, EaseUS Video Downloader is a more reliable tool that delivers a higher success rate without compromising video or audio quality.

Convert YouTube Videos Longer Than 2 Hours Online

You might also want to try some free online video downloaders. Honestly, there are so many online tools that you need to test them one by one. So, to save you time, we selected some popular tools and tested their performance. Here are the results:

• Test video duration: 5 hours
• Test device: Windows 11 laptop
• Website used: Google Chrome

1. Online Video Converter

OnlineVideoConverter.to is a fast, free, and user-friendly online platform for converting and downloading videos from popular sites such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more. It allows users to effortlessly convert video URLs into MP3, MP4, AVI, and other formats for offline enjoyment on various devices.

Test Results: Failed - "Invalid link format. Please try again later."

Personal Experience: 

The interface is simple and clean, but the test failed. After trying three times, it still prompted me to try again later. I tested a shorter video, about fifteen minutes long, and the download succeeded. However, after clicking the download button, it redirected to another link, making the overall experience not very good.

2. ListenToYouTube

ListenToYouTube is a popular and user-friendly online converter that allows users to quickly convert YouTube videos into high-quality MP3 audio files. It is designed with simplicity and convenience in mind, enabling even those with limited technical skills to extract music and sound effects from YouTube videos in just a few clicks.

Test Results: Succeeded

Personal Experience: 

There are many redirect links, and the download button is not obvious. During the first attempt, I kept clicking the Go button, which triggered multiple redirects.

3. imgType

Personal Experience: Every time I entered the page URL, it redirected me to other pages, and the MP3 convert feature page seems inaccessible.

4. noTube

noTube is a free, fast, and user-friendly online converter designed to convert YouTube videos into MP3 audio, MP4 video, and other popular formats. It works across multiple platforms and devices, offering a seamless way to download and save videos or audio tracks directly from YouTube and other supported sites like TikTok and Twitter.

Test Results: Succeeded

Personal Experience: 

The conversion process is relatively smooth, but there are pop-up ads in the bottom right corner of the page. The page also contains redirect links, making the overall experience average.

If you are seeking a safe alternative, EaseUS Video Downloader has an official site and offers technical support. It ensures a 100% safe downloading environment where you will never encounter ads from other sites, pop-ups, or malware.

Is It Legal to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3?

Converting YouTube videos to MP3 is generally against YouTube's Terms of Service and may violate copyright laws if the content is protected and used without permission. To stay legal, only convert videos you own, have permission to use, or that are copyright-free. To state the issue of legality more clearly, let's look at the following notes before the MP3 conversion:

Copyright Considerations

• Most content on YouTube, especially music videos, is protected by copyright. Downloading or converting copyrighted material without permission generally infringes on the creator's rights and is illegal under copyright laws in many jurisdictions.
• Content that is in the public domain or licensed under Creative Commons may be legally downloaded and converted.
• Converting YouTube videos to MP3 for personal use from non-copyrighted or licensed content is generally legal.

YouTube's Terms of Service:

• YouTube explicitly prohibits downloading content unless a download button or link is provided by YouTube itself. Converting videos to MP3 bypasses this rule and violates YouTube's Terms of Service.
• Violating YouTube's Terms of Service may result in account penalties or content removal.

Legality of the Conversion Tools:

• The tools or websites that convert YouTube videos to MP3 are not inherently illegal. Their legality depends on how they are used and the content being converted.
• However, many services operate in a legal gray area, and some may have faced legal challenges from copyright holders. Avoid using them.

Bonus Tips: How to Play Downloaded MP3s on Different Devices

Once you have converted and downloaded your MP3 files, you can enjoy them on a variety of devices with ease:

• Smartphones and Tablets: Most modern smartphones and tablets come with built-in music players that support MP3 playback. Simply transfer the files to your device storage or sync via apps like Google Play Music, Apple Music, or any default media player.
• Computers (Windows/Mac): Both Windows and Mac computers have native media players such as Windows Media Player, iTunes, or Music.app that handle MP3 files. You can also use third-party players like VLC for additional features.
• Dedicated MP3 Players: Portable MP3 players, including popular brands like Sony Walkman or FiiO, offer high-quality audio playback. Simply transfer your MP3 files via USB and use the device’s interface to manage your music library.
• Car Audio Systems: Many modern cars support MP3 playback via USB drives, auxiliary input, or Bluetooth, making it easy to play your downloaded music on the road.

No matter what device you use, most support MP3 format natively, ensuring your converted audio files can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere.

The Bottom Line: Best Way to Convert YouTube to MP3 Over 10 Hours

Converting long YouTube videos to MP3 can be simple and efficient when you choose the right tools:

• EaseUS Video Downloader provides a reliable and high-quality solution for downloading lengthy videos or multiple videos without interruptions.
• VLC Media Player, while primarily a media player, also offers useful features for managing and converting audio files.
• For those who prefer quick online conversions, tools like ezconv offer convenient options.

By combining these tools according to your needs, you can effortlessly build a personalized audio library from your favorite long-form YouTube content. Always remember to use these tools responsibly and respect copyright laws.

Convert Long YouTube Videos to MP3 for Long Videos FAQ

In this section, we address some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the conversion of lengthy YouTube videos into MP3 format. 

1. How to convert an 8-hour YouTube video to MP3?

To convert an 8-hour YouTube video to MP3, use a stable desktop app like EaseUS Video Downloader. Online tools often fail with videos over 6 hours long. No matter which one you choose, just copy the YouTube URL into the tool, then select MP3 as the output format. The conversion will start.

2. Is there a limit on YouTube to MP3 length?

The length limit for converting YouTube videos to MP3 depends on the tool you are using. Some tools have a limit when converting YouTube to MP3 longer than 2 hours. Tools like VLC or online converters often can't handle over 10-hour videos. Desktop applications like EaseUS Video Downloader do not have such restrictions. For long MP3 downloads from YouTube, desktop apps are more reliable.

3. How to convert a 3-hour video to MP3?

Whether you choose an online web tool or a YouTube downloader app, you may follow these general steps to convert a 3-hour YouTube video to MP3:
Step 1. Select a Converter Tool.
Step 2. Copy the YouTube URL.
Step 3. Paste the URL.
Step 4. Choose MP3 Format.
Step 5. Initiate the Conversion.
Step 6. Download the MP3 File.

4. What is a good bitrate for MP3 files?

128 kbps is considered the minimum acceptable quality for music, but 192 kbps or higher is recommended for better audio fidelity. Audiophiles often prefer 320 kbps or lossless formats like FLAC for the highest quality.

5. Why might a YouTube to MP3 conversion fail?

Conversion failures can occur due to issues with the video URL, copyright restrictions, regional blocks, YouTube's frequent updates blocking converters, or software/browser compatibility problems.