How to Convert OGG to MP3 with VLC (Windows, Mac and Linux)

Most people know VLC as a media player. Fewer know it can also convert files. If you already have VLC installed, you can turn OGG files into MP3 without downloading anything else.

This guide walks you through converting OGG to MP3 with VLC on Windows, Mac and Linux. It also shows how to convert many files at once and how to set the bitrate. Finally, it fixes the errors people hit most.

The quick answer (Windows)

1. Open VLC and click Media > Convert / Save (or press Ctrl + R).
2. Click Add and pick your OGG file.
3. Click Convert / Save.
4. Choose the Audio – MP3 profile.
5. Click Browse, pick a folder and type a name ending in .mp3.
6. Click Start.

On a Mac, use File > Convert / Stream instead. Details are below.

If you don’t have VLC and just need one file, our free online OGG to MP3 converter is faster. It runs in your browser and doesn’t upload anything.

Why use VLC to convert OGG?

• It’s free and open source, with no ads.
• You may already have it. Many people install VLC to play odd files.
• It handles every OGG type: Vorbis, Opus, FLAC in Ogg and OGV video.
• It converts in batches.
• It works offline. Nothing leaves your computer.

The downside: VLC’s converter menus aren’t very friendly. That’s what this guide is for.

Before you start: update VLC

Old VLC versions had more conversion bugs, like empty output files. Before you convert, check for updates. On Windows, click Help > Check for Updates. On a Mac, click VLC media player > Check for Update. Or download the latest version from videolan.org.

Step-by-step: convert OGG to MP3 in VLC on Windows

1. Open the converter

Open VLC. Click Media in the top menu, then Convert / Save. A window called Open Media appears.

2. Add your OGG file

On the File tab, click Add. Browse to your OGG file and click Open. The file shows up in the list.

3. Go to the conversion settings

Click the Convert / Save button at the bottom. Only see Play? Click the small arrow next to it and choose Convert.

4. Pick the MP3 profile

In the Convert window, open the Profile drop-down. Choose Audio – MP3.

5. Choose where to save

Next to Destination file, click Browse. Pick a folder and type a file name. Make sure it ends in .mp3, like song.mp3. Click Save.

6. Start the conversion

Click Start. VLC’s progress bar moves across as it works. The main window may look like it’s playing, but you won’t hear anything. When the bar resets, the MP3 is ready.

Step-by-step: convert OGG to MP3 in VLC on Mac

1. Open VLC.
2. Choose File > Convert / Stream from the menu bar.
3. Drag your OGG file into the Drop media here box, or click Open media.
4. Under Choose Profile, pick Audio – MP3.
5. Click Save as File.
6. Click Browse, choose a folder and name the file with .mp3 at the end.
7. Click Save.

The progress shows in the VLC window. When it finishes, find your MP3 in the folder you chose.

Convert OGG to MP3 in VLC on Linux

VLC on Linux uses the same menus as Windows: Media > Convert / Save. Follow the Windows steps above.

If you prefer the terminal, FFmpeg is often simpler on Linux. See our main guide on how to convert OGG to MP3 for FFmpeg commands.

Convert only part of an OGG file

VLC can convert a section instead of the whole file. This is handy for long recordings.

1. In the Open Media window, tick Show more options at the bottom.
2. Set a Start Time and a Stop Time in the boxes that appear.
3. Continue with Convert / Save as usual.

VLC converts only the part between those times. If you’d rather drag a slider, the online converter’s trim tool is easier: play the file, set start and end, and download.

How to batch convert OGG files with VLC

VLC can convert several files in one go on Windows and Linux.

1. Open Media > Convert / Save.
2. Click Add and select all the OGG files you want. Hold Ctrl to select several, or Shift to select a range.
3. Click Convert / Save.
4. Choose Audio – MP3.
5. With more than one file, VLC hides the single Destination file box. Look for an option like Append ‘-converted’ to filename. VLC saves each MP3 next to its original.
6. Click Start.

VLC converts the files one after another. Large batches take a while, so leave it running.

On Mac, batch conversion in VLC is less reliable. For many files, use Audacity’s Macros or FFmpeg instead. See how to convert OGG to MP3 in Audacity.

How to change the MP3 bitrate in VLC

The default Audio – MP3 profile uses a fixed bitrate. You can change it:

1. In the Convert window, click the wrench icon next to the profile (Windows), or Customize (Mac).
2. Open the Audio codec tab.
3. Make sure Audio is ticked and the codec is MPEG Audio or MP3.
4. Set the Bitrate. Use 128 kb/s for voice, 192 kb/s or more for music.
5. Set Channels to 2 for stereo or 1 for mono.
6. Set Sample rate to 44100 Hz for music.
7. Click Save.

To keep your settings, create a new profile instead. Click the new profile icon, give it a name like MP3 192, set the options above, and click Create.

Which settings to use

Don’t pick a bitrate much higher than the original file. It won’t sound better, just bigger.

What about tags?

VLC focuses on the audio. It doesn’t always copy tags like title, artist and album to the new MP3. If your music library depends on tags, check the MP3 after converting. Free tools like Mp3tag (Windows) and MusicBrainz Picard (all systems) can add or fix tags in bulk.

Can the VLC mobile apps convert files?

No. VLC for Android and VLC for Mobile on iPhone play OGG files, but they don’t convert them. On a phone, use the online converter in Chrome or Safari instead. On iPhone, that needs iOS 18.4 or later.

Converting OGV video to MP3 in VLC

OGV files are Ogg videos. VLC can pull the audio out with the same steps. Pick Audio – MP3 as the profile, and VLC drops the video. For other ways, see how to extract audio from an OGV video.

Fixing common VLC conversion problems

The MP3 file is 0 KB or won’t play

This is the most common issue. Try these fixes:

• Make sure the destination file name ends in .mp3.
• Check the profile’s Encapsulation tab. For MP3, choose RAW if there’s an option, then save the profile.
• Make sure Audio is ticked on the Audio codec tab.
• Update VLC to the latest version.

VLC overwrote my original file

This happens if the destination has the same name as the source. Always give the output a new name, or save it to a different folder.

I hear the file playing but no file appears

You may have clicked Play instead of Convert. Go back and use the Convert / Save button.

The progress bar doesn’t move

Some files don’t report their length well. Wait a bit. If nothing happens after a few minutes, try converting a copy of the file, or use the online converter.

The MP3 sounds distorted

The volume may have clipped, or the settings may not match the source. Try a higher bitrate and keep the original sample rate and channel count.

VLC vs other OGG converters

If you convert files only now and then, the online converter is simplest. If you already use VLC, it’s a solid choice.

FAQ

Can VLC convert OGG to MP3?

Yes. Use Media > Convert / Save on Windows or File > Convert / Stream on Mac, and pick the Audio – MP3 profile.

Why is my VLC MP3 file empty?

The destination name may be missing .mp3, or the profile settings may be wrong. Check the Audio codec tab and the encapsulation setting.

Can VLC convert many OGG files at once?

Yes, on Windows and Linux. Add all the files in the Convert / Save window.

Does VLC reduce quality when converting?

Slightly, as with any lossy conversion. At 192 kb/s or more, most people won’t notice.

Is VLC safe to download?

Yes, from videolan.org or your official app store.

Final word

VLC is more than a player. With Convert / Save, it turns OGG files into MP3 in a few clicks. It can even handle a whole batch on Windows and Linux. Set the bitrate to match your content, give the output a new name, and you’re done. For a single quick file, the free online converter is even easier.