MP3 Cutter (Free, with Waveform)
Drag across the waveform to select a range, then press "Keep selection". Great for ringtones, song highlights and cleaning up the start and end of a recording.
- Only upload files you have the right to use. Copying or sharing other people's music, videos or recordings without permission can violate copyright law. FreeSoundTools does not store your files on a server.
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Cutting audio is usually the first step when you make a ringtone or a highlight clip. This cutter shows you the waveform, so you can pick the exact spot instead of guessing the number of seconds.
When to use it
- Pull out a 10 to 30 second part to use as a ringtone or notification sound
- Cut just the chorus (the highlight) of a song for a short video
- Remove silence or noise at the start and end of a recording
- Save only the part of a lecture or broadcast recording you need
- Keep only the useful part of audio extracted from a video
How to use
- Drop an audio file or click to choose one. It reads mp3, wav, m4a, ogg, flac, aac, mp4, webm and more.
- Drag across the waveform with your mouse or finger to select a range. Use the play button to listen and adjust the range.
- Press "Keep selection" to keep only that range, or "Delete selection" to remove just that range.
- Type exact numbers into the Start/End/Length fields (mm:ss.s) or nudge them with the ◀0.1 / ▶0.1 buttons. Arrow keys move the playhead by 0.1s (Shift+arrow = 1s), and [ / ] set the start/end at the playhead. These keys are ignored while a text field has focus.
- Use the +/− buttons or Ctrl+scroll on the waveform to zoom 1x to 64x, and read the time ruler above the waveform. “Zoom to selection” frames just the range you picked.
- Set the fade length (0.1 to 10 s, default 0.5 s) and curve (linear or smooth), then press Fade in / Fade out. Use “Preview selection only” with the loop toggle to hear the fades before saving.
- If needed, press "Trim silence at start/end" to clean up the edges.
- Choose the output format - MP3 192 kbps is now the default for this cutter, and WAV / WAV 32-bit are still selectable - the MP3 quality (128 to 320 kbps), the sample rate and whether to make it mono, then save. Your last chosen format is remembered for next time.
Supported formats and limits
- Input: mp3 · wav · m4a · ogg · flac · aac · mp4 · webm and other audio or video files your browser can decode
- Output: WAV (16-bit lossless) · WAV 32-bit float · MP3 (128/192/256/320 kbps)
- Sample rate: keep the original or resample to 48000/44100/32000/22050/16000 Hz
- A Mono checkbox mixes stereo down to one channel
- There is no set length limit, but larger files use more browser memory
Tips
- At 192 kbps or higher, most people can't tell an MP3 apart from the original.
- Cutting and re-saving the same MP3 many times can lower the quality a little each time. Work from the original in one go when you can.
- A ringtone that ends abruptly sounds cut off, so a short fade-out helps.
- If it's hard to pick the exact range, play it back and drag again in small steps.
Troubleshooting
- Files longer than an hour can take a while to draw and process. Roughly cut the part you need first, then fine-tune it.
- If a file won't open, your browser doesn't support that codec. Try the latest Chrome or Edge, or convert it to another format first.
- Cut the wrong part? Press "Undo" to go back one step (up to the last 8 steps).
- If nothing happens when you press "Keep selection", no range is selected yet. Drag across the waveform first.
FAQ
Can I cut at the exact point I want?
Yes. Select a range on the waveform, check it by playing it back, then cut. Undo is supported too.
How long can the file be?
There is no set length limit. It works as far as your device memory allows, and files over an hour may be slow.
Is my original file stored on a server?
No. Everything is processed in this browser's memory and nothing is sent to a server. Closing or refreshing the page clears your work.
Can I cut again after cutting?
Yes. Until you save, you can select a new range and cut as many times as you like, or undo.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes, in an up-to-date Chrome or Safari. For long files, a computer with more memory works better.
Can I type the exact start and end numbers?
Yes. Type mm:ss.s values into the Start/End/Length fields, or nudge them with the ◀0.1 / ▶0.1 buttons. Arrow keys move the playhead and [ / ] set the start or end at that position.
Why is the default save format MP3 now?
This cutter now defaults to MP3 192kbps since most cuts are used as ringtones or clips to share. WAV and WAV 32-bit float are still selectable, and your last choice is remembered in your browser for next time.
Learn more
For step-by-step instructions and ideas, see the guide: How to Cut and Join MP3 Files (Ringtones and Highlights).