How to Convert YouTube to AAC (High Quality 256kbps+) in 2026

You’ve found a trending audio on Instagram and want to use it in your own videos, but you’re not sure how to extract it. 

Converting YouTube to AAC is a great way to listen to it offline or reuse its sound. Compared with MP3, AAC offers clearer audio quality and smaller file sizes.

Now, if you are not familiar with that, Below are the free and easy methods used by millions of people right now – all tested and working today.

 

Why Choose AAC over MP3?

AAC offers better sound quality than MP3 at the same file size. YouTube use AAC or M4A natively, so you just get the original file, as no re-encoding is required. 

 

Method 1:  Safe & Bulk YouTube to AAC Conversion (No Ads)

YouTube often changes its algorithm, and these changes do cause downloader programs or online sites to fail to analyze or download the videos. To safely convert and download YouTube to AAC, we recommend using specialized YouTube downloader software rather than online websites. 

Below are two recommended safe YouTube AAC Converter software.

iFunia YouTube Downloader

Official website: https://www.ifunia.com/free-youtube-downloader.html
Recommendation level: ★★★★★
Recommended reasons: High-quality video and audio downloading and fast speed. 

Basic Information: iFunia Free YouTube Downloader is specialized video and audio downloader software. It lets you download 4K video and music files from 10000+ sites, including YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, etc. 

The interface is very easy to understand; you can download videos by simply pasting a URL. Unlike other downloaders and online sites, it is one of the few apps that can really download YouTube playlists in bulk, greatly improving work efficiency.

Besides, it lets you save downloaded video in original quality and formats like MP4, MP3, M4A, AAC, FLAC, etc. 

Supported OS: Windows 11/10/8/7, macOS 11-26

Free Download macOS 10.13 or later Free Download Windows 10 or later  

Step 1: Copy YouTube videos' URL - Find the YouTube video you want to download and copy its URL. No need to manually paste it; iFunia YouTube Downloader will detect the copied URL automatically. 

If you need to download YouTube videos in bulk, just copy and paste multiple URLs. Click the download icon (indicated by an arrow), and the software will start ripping YouTube video(s) to your computer. This step is essential when you download YouTube to AAC or other needed formats.

Step 2: Click "+" to analyze the URL, and choose the M4A or AAC option from the "Format" list. (AAC is the audio coding standard, but the file usually ends in .m4a. This is normal! Every media player that plays AAC will play M4A. 

Click "Start", iFunia YouTube Downloader will extract audio from YouTube and save it in AAC format. 

 

Any Video Converter (Mac and Windows)

Official website: https://www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video/
Recommendation level: ★★★★
Recommended reasons: Fast-speed video and audio downloading

Any Video Converter (a.k.a. AVC) is another powerful YouTube to ACC converter for your option, which works in a similar way. Following the steps below, you can easily download a video from YouTube to an AAC file.

Step 1. Download AVC and install it on your PC. Open the software and take a look at its user interface where all the features and functions are listed clearly.

Step 2. There is an Add URL(s) button. Click it, and you will find a green add icon. Click the icon to open a URL box. Paste a YouTube video URL there and you can rip video from YouTube. Wait for the download to finish.

Step 3. There is a drop-down menu beside the Convert Now button. Click it and scroll down. Find the desired format (AAC in this case) and select it. The final thing is to click the Convert Now button.

 

Method 2: Online YouTube to AAC Converters (No Installation)

Another way to convert video from YouTube to AAC is to use online services. In this case, you don't need to install any software. While online tools can't provide high-quality conversion or fast speed, nor do they allow batch conversions; they are convenient to use.

1. convert2mp3.net

This is a useful YouTube to AAC online converter that you can use. The site allows users to download and convert videos from YouTube and several other video sharing websites in video/audio formats such as MP3 and AAC. The tool provides a feature that allows you to search YouTube videos on its homepage so that you don't have to visit YouTube.

2. clipconverter.cc

This online media conversion tool can download and convert any video from YouTube to AAC, MP3 and M4A. It can also download online videos to MP4, 3GP, AVI, MOV and MKV. The site supports YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion and a few other sites.

3. converttoaudio.com

This YouTube to AAC online converter is dedicated to convert online video content to audio. It supports output formats including AAC, MP3 and M4A. Users only need to copy and paste video link URL and select output format.

 

Conclusion

The methods, software, and online tools recommended above can be useful if you need to download YouTube to AAC or other needed audio as well as video formats. Apart from converting YouTube videos to AAC, there are also detailed guides on how to download YouTube to OGG, WAV, etc. Hopefully they can be of some help. What do you think of the article? Welcome to share your thoughts and opinions.