Tab Audio Recorder
Record the sound playing in a browser tab, or your whole computer's audio on Windows and ChromeOS, straight from your browser. Add your microphone for commentary, watch the live levels, then save the recording as WebM, WAV or MP3.
Last updated:
Press Start recording, choose a tab (or your screen) and make sure “Share tab audio” is switched on.
How to share audio
- Press Start recording.
- In the browser dialog pick the Chrome Tab (or Tab) section and select the tab playing sound.
- Keep Also share tab audio switched on, then press Share.
- For all computer sound on Windows or ChromeOS, choose Entire screen and switch on Also share system audio.
Your recordings kept in this tab only: download the ones you want
How to use the Tab Audio Recorder
- Optional: tick Also record my microphone to add your voice, and set the tab and mic volumes.
- Press Start recording. In the browser dialog choose the tab that plays the sound (or Entire screen for system audio).
- Switch on Share tab audio (or Share system audio) and press Share. The meters move when sound comes in.
- Play your audio in that tab. Use Pause if you need to skip a part.
- Press Stop recording, listen to the take, and download it as WebM, WAV or MP3.
What can be recorded where
| What you share | Chrome / Edge on Windows & ChromeOS | Chrome / Edge on macOS & Linux | Firefox, Safari, mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| A browser tab | Tab audio | Tab audio | No audio |
| Entire screen | All system audio | Usually no audio | No audio |
| An app window | No audio | No audio | No audio |
Browser support changes over time; if the share dialog shows an audio switch for your choice, the sound can be recorded.
File sizes per minute
| Format | Setting | Size per minute | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| WebM (Opus) | 128 kbps | ≈ 0.96 MB | Keeping the original, sharing |
| MP3 | 192 kbps | ≈ 1.44 MB | Playing on any device |
| MP3 | 320 kbps | ≈ 2.4 MB | Highest MP3 quality |
| WAV | 16-bit stereo, 48 kHz | ≈ 11.5 MB | Editing in an audio editor |
Size per minute = bitrate × 60 ÷ 8. For WAV the bitrate is sample rate × bit depth × channels, so 48,000 × 16 × 2 = 1,536 kbps.
Frequently asked questions
Which browsers can record tab audio?
Chrome, Edge, Opera and other Chromium browsers on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS can share a tab's audio. Firefox and Safari can share the screen but not its sound, and mobile browsers cannot share audio at all.
How do I record all the sound from my computer?
On Windows and ChromeOS choose Entire screen in the share dialog and switch on Also share system audio. On macOS and Linux Chrome usually shares audio only from tabs, so play the sound in a browser tab and share that tab.
Why is my recording silent?
The most common reason is that the audio switch in the share dialog was off, or a window rather than a tab was shared. Start again, choose the Chrome Tab section, pick the tab and keep Also share tab audio on. Also check the tab is not muted and the volume slider here is not at 0%.
Which format should I download?
WebM (Opus) is the original recording: small and high quality, and it plays in browsers and VLC. WAV is uncompressed and best for editing, but about 10 MB per minute. MP3 plays everywhere; 192 kbps is a good balance of size and quality.
Can I hear the tab while it records?
Yes. The tab keeps playing on your speakers or headphones unless you tick Mute the tab on my speakers. Recording is independent of your system volume, so turning your speakers down does not make the recording quieter.
Is there a time limit?
No fixed limit. The recording is kept in your browser's memory, so very long sessions (several hours) use a lot of RAM. WAV and MP3 conversion of long recordings can take a while; the original WebM download is instant.
Is it legal to record audio from websites?
Recording for personal use, such as your own meetings, lectures you are allowed to keep or your own content, is generally fine. Respect copyright and the site's terms, and get consent before recording calls or meetings with other people.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.