MP3 cutter for Mac
QuickTime can trim, but it can’t save an MP3 or add a fade. This browser cutter does both on any Mac — drag a file in, cut it, and save MP3, WAV, M4A or an iPhone M4R.
Drop an audio or video file here
MP3, M4A, WAV, OGG, FLAC, MP4, MOV… — processed on your device, never uploaded
How to cut an MP3 on Mac
- Drag the MP3 onto the editor. Drop a file from Finder onto the waveform area, or click Open file. Music app downloads are in ~/Music/Music/Media; most others are in Downloads.
- Set the cut. Drag across the waveform, or type exact times. Press Space to play; select a handle and use ← → to nudge it by 0.1 s (Shift for 1 s).
- Pick a format. MP3 for sharing, WAV for further editing, or M4R for an iPhone ringtone (Chrome and Edge include the AAC encoder M4R needs).
- Download. Click Download. The file goes to your Downloads folder unless your browser asks where to save.
Built-in Mac options compared
| Tool | Can trim | Saves MP3 | Fades | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This page | Yes, to 1/100 s | Yes | Yes | Also WAV, M4A, M4R; nothing uploaded |
| QuickTime Player | Yes (Edit → Trim) | No | No | Exports M4A via File → Export As → Audio Only |
| Music app | Start/stop times only | Depends on import settings | No | Song Info → Options, then File → Convert |
| GarageBand | Yes | Yes (Share → Export) | Yes, via automation | Powerful but slow for a single cut |
Send a ringtone to your iPhone
- Choose M4R — iPhone as the format and keep the selection at 40 seconds or less; the editor warns you if it is longer.
- Connect the iPhone with a cable and select it in the Finder sidebar (macOS Catalina and later; on older macOS use iTunes).
- Drag the downloaded .m4r file onto the iPhone’s window in Finder. It is copied into Tones.
- On the iPhone open Settings → Sounds & Haptics → Ringtone; the new tone is at the top.
If nothing appears, the file is almost always over 40 seconds — shorten it and export again. With iOS 26 you can skip the cable: save an M4A under 30 seconds to iCloud Drive and use Use as Ringtone from the Files app on the phone. See iPhone ringtone format and length for the exact rules.
Safari, Chrome or Edge?
All three open and cut MP3s. Chrome and Edge expose an AAC encoder, so they can also save M4A and M4R; in Safari those options are only enabled when your version offers one — otherwise they are greyed out and MP3 or WAV still work. On Apple-silicon Macs a 4-minute song encodes to MP3 in a couple of seconds.
Other devices
iPhone · Android · Windows · Chromebook · all MP3 cutter settings
FAQ
Can I cut an MP3 with QuickTime on a Mac?
QuickTime Player can trim audio (Edit → Trim) but it saves the result as M4A, not MP3, and has no fades. Use this page if you need an MP3 or a smooth fade out.
How do I make an M4R ringtone on a Mac?
Open the song here in Chrome or Edge, select up to 40 seconds, choose M4R and download. Then drag the file onto your iPhone in Finder.
Does it work offline on a Mac?
Once the page has loaded, cutting and encoding run locally, so you can keep working if the connection drops. Reloading the page needs a connection.
Are my files uploaded?
No. Audio is decoded, edited and encoded in your browser with the Web Audio API, WebCodecs and a JavaScript MP3 encoder. Nothing is sent to a server, so it also works on slow connections once the page has loaded.