FFmpeg 64‑bit for Audacity 3.0.3 to 3.1.x

Windows-only links and guidance for the older 64-bit Audacity branch between legacy packages and the current Audacity 3.2+ installers.

64‑bit FFmpeg for Audacity (Windows)

The downloads on this page should only be used with Windows 64-bit Audacity 3.0.3 to 3.1.x.

If you use Audacity 3.2+ current packages or any macOS build, do not start here. Use the current FFmpeg page, the wizard, or the compatibility guide.

Audacity 3.0.3 (64‑bit) works on Windows 7 SP1 and above. Need a different build? Use the compatibility guide.

Installation Notes

For most situations, the .exe download is suggested. It is a self‑contained installer that should leave FFmpeg available for Audacity.

If you have a special setup, or the .exe does not work for you, download the .ZIP version. Inside the ZIP you will find many files — copy all of them to a known folder (for example, Documents\ffmpeg64bit), then open Audacity → Preferences → Libraries and browse to avformat-55.dll inside that folder.

Note:

  • Not all FFmpeg versions are supported on all releases.
    • Audacity prior 3.1 only supports avformat-55.dll.
    • Audacity 3.1 and later supports avformat-55.dll, avformat-57.dll and avformat-58.dll.
    • Audacity 3.2 and later also supports avformat-59.dll.
    • Audacity 3.3 and later also supports avformat-60.dll.
    • Audacity 3.5 and later also supports avformat-61.dll.
    • You can check which DLL is in which FFmpeg release here.
  • Make sure you download full FFmpeg copies, not just the avformat-*.dll files individually. Further, make sure to download or build the shared versions as only those contain DLLs.
  • Different versions of FFmpeg may have different codecs enabled in them. In particular, AMR (narrowband) is not featured in the recommended installer.

Manual installation

If you have installed FFmpeg from a different source, or installed it in a different location, you will need to tell Audacity where to find it.

  1. Go to Edit → Preferences → Libraries.
  2. Click the Locate... button.
  3. If Audacity says it already found FFmpeg automatically, click No and you are done.
  4. If that message does not appear, click Browse... and select the avformat-*.dll file from the FFmpeg folder you downloaded or installed elsewhere.
  5. Click Open, then OK, then OK again to close Preferences.

Windows FFmpeg Downloads

ZIP contents (what you should see)

  • avformat-55.dll (the file Audacity points to)
  • avcodec-55.dll, avutil-52.dll
  • libbz2-1.dll, libiconv-2.dll, libwinpthread-1.dll, zlib1.dll

Windows packages use avformat-*.dll files. This download does not include any libavformat.dylib files (those are macOS-only).

For Audacity 3.2+ current packages or macOS guidance, use ffmpeg.php. For older releases, use the compatibility guide.