Best Methods to Split Audiobook into Chapters [Updated]

By Ivan Scott Updated on 2024-06-27 / Update for Audiobook Tips

Have you ever had the experience that you've got multi-hour audiobooks, but you can't sit and listen to the entire audiobook? Which is quite makes a person frustrated and distracted sometimes. In this case, you may want to split your audiobooks into chapters so you can select a chapter you'd want to listen to.

Luckily, your audiobooks will turn into books once you split them into chapters, and you can easily access chapters one by one. This guide will introduce the fascinating ways for you to split audiobook into chapters. Let's start making it now.

split audiobook into chapters

Part 1. How to Split iTunes/Audible Audiobook into Chapters via AudFree Audio Converter

It is noted that Audible audiobooks and iTunes audiobooks are encrypted files. To split audiobook into chapters, it's necessary to find a tool that can not only split audiobooks but also unlock the protection. Here, AudFree Audio Converter is a splendid and qualified audio converter to help you out. It is available to convert not only Audible audiobooks but also iTunes audiobooks to multiple common formats, such as MP3, WAV, FLAC, but also split audiobook into chapters with ease.

In short, AudFree Auditior will enhance your listening experience with its ability to download and split audiobooks at 30X speed without compromising the audiobook quality. Besides, it allows you to customize output audio codec, bit rate, sample rate and more. And it will retain the ID3 tags of audio files to help you manage files easily.

Key Features of AudFree Audible Converter

audfree audible converter
  • Helps you convert audio files into multiple audio formats
  • Enables you to convert multiple audiobooks simultaneously
  • Keep the original ID3 tags and sound quality of audiobooks
  • Helps you to split audiobook into chapters free with ease

How to Split Audiobook into Chapters from Audible/iTunes via AudFree Audio Converter

Now, let's see how to convert Audible/iTunes audiobooks and split them into chapters via AudFree Audio Converter step by step.

Step 1Launch AudFree Audio Converter
run the audfree program and import audiobook
After installing the AudFree Audio Converter, you'll need to launch the software. Next, you need to import the audiobook, such as Audible files and iTunes audiobooks you'd like to split by clicking the first '+' button.
Step 2Reset audiobooks' output settings and split way
adjust output format for audiobook
Now, you'll only need to select an audio format by hitting on the 'audio' icon. You can select MP3, FLAC, M4A or M4B format there and customize other audiobook parameters. Then, please click the 'OK' button to confirm them. It is noted that MP3 doesn't support keeping chapter info, so, please don't choose it as the output format.
View also: How to Convert iTunes Audiobooks to MP3
Step 3Convert and split audiobook into chapters free offline
split itunes audiobook into chapters
You'll need to open the Split option by clicking the 'Edit' button. And then hit on the "Split by chapters" option in this phase and select "OK" afterward. Then start the conversion by hitting the bottom-right Convert icon. Later, you can find the chapters in your preferred location. And you can listen to audiobooks by chapters offline anywhere and anytime.
View also: How to Listen to Audible Audiobooks Offline

Part 2. How to Split Audiobook into Chapters via AudFree Audio Capture

Besides AudFree Audio Converter, you can also use AudFree Audio Capture to split audiobooks. It is a tool that can record any audio tracks from the computer. And it allows you to edit and trim audio files with the built-in audio editor. It can also split large audiobooks into small parts automatically during the recording process. Besides, it can output audio files as WMA, MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4R, etc. for use anywhere. Now, let's see how it works.

Step 1. Click the 'Download' button below to install AudFree Audio Capture for Windows or Mac on your computer.

Step 2. Once installed, open the program. Then hit on the '+' section to add the app that you want to record music from.

audfree audio capture main screen

Step 3. Head to the 'Format' section at the bottom bar and choose one of the format you want. Then pick up the quality and go to reset other audio parameters.

set output format on audfree audio capture

Step 4. Choose the target platform you added and open it. Then start playing audiobooks you like. Later, AudFree Audio Capture will start recording.

Step 5. Once recorded, hit 'Stop' and click on 'edit' to adjust the audio track. At last, click 'Save' to keep split audiobooks on your computer.

split audiobooks into chapter via audfree audio capture

Part 3. How to Split Audiobook into Chapters via iTunes

Surprisingly, iTunes also allows you to split audiobook into chapters. However, if you want to cut audiobooks from Audible and iTunes, you'll need to remove the protection from audiobooks to get it done. To do that, you can draw support from AudFree Audio Converter or AudFree Audio Capture we mentioned above.

After that, you can follow the guide below to split MP3 audiobook into chapters via iTunes.

Step 1. Select the "File" option after hitting the Music tab on iTunes. Next, you'll need to add a file and import the converted audiobook file to the library.

View also: How to Add Audiobooks to iTunes

add audiobook files to itunes

Step 2. After playing the audiobook in iTunes, decide each chapter's starting and ending time. You can also enter each chapter's starting and stopping times by pressing the "Option" icon.

Step 3. Select the Preference option after selecting the "Edit" option. Later, hit the "Import" settings option after navigating to "General Preferences".

preferences settings in itunes

Step 4. Next, you'll only need to select "Import Using" as your "MP3 Encoder" after hitting Import Setting. After doing so, tap "OK" to rip audibooks to MP3.

split audiobook into chapters on itunes

Step 5. Hit "Create MP3 Version" after selecting the File option. Now, you can find the new music chapter in the music section.

Part 4. How to Download Audiobook into Chapters via Audible

Audible allows you to download and split audiobook into chapters. However, you won't serve your purpose if your audiobook is shorter than 12 hours. You can follow the guide below to get your job done.

For PC

Step 1. Navigate to the Library page on your Audible desktop site and expand the selection after hitting the Triangle option.

Step 2. Later, you can press "Download" to download Audible books to PC with any part you'd want.

split audiobook into chapters in audible pc

For iOS or Android

Step 1. Hit download settings after launching "Settings" on your device.

Step 2. Next, you can select audiobooks with Multipart or Single part to download.

split audiobook into chapters in audible mobile

View also: How to Download Audible Audiobooks on iPhone

For Mac

Step 1. Navigate to the library page after visiting Audible.com. From there, you can import the audiobook you're looking to split.

Step 2. Expand the selection after hitting the "View title by parts".

download audiobook into chapters on audible website mac

Step 3. Later, all you need to do is press Download to get your job done.

View also: How to Download Audible Audiobooks to Mac

Part 5. How to Split Audiobook into Chapters via VLC for Free

Although VLC doesn't come up with a reliable option to convert or split audiobooks into chapters, you can benefit from its chapter navigation feature to find the timing of each chapter. After finding the timing, you can use an audio editor to split your audiobooks.

Step 1. Import audiobook into VLC Media Player.

Step 2. Convert the audiobook into MP3 format.

Step 3. Navigate to the chapter after hitting the Menu and Playback option. From there, you can decide the ending and starting time of a chapter.

how to split audiobook into chapters by vlc

View also: How to Play Audible on VLC

Part 6. How to Split Audiobook into Chapters via Audacity for Free

Audacity is brilliant open-source software that allows you to process and record audio from different sources. Luckily, you can also split audiobook into chapters after converting it into MP3 format. Here's how to do it.

Step 1. Navigate to the "Audio" option after starting Audacity and navigating to the File option. Next, add your audiobook you're looking to split.

Step 2. After playing the audiobook, you need to decide the starting and ending time by hitting Audio Position. You can edit the timing number by pressing the "End" box.

Step 3. Hit "Export Selected Audio" after clicking "File". Moreover, you can select the selected audio format from your pop-up window.

split audiobook into chapters by audacity

Part 7. Conclusion

Here are 6 methods to split audiobook into chapters. To split iTunes/Audible audiobook into chapters, AudFree Audio Converter, AudFree Audio Capture, iTunes, and Audible website are all your choices. For unprotected audiobooks for free, it's also able to get help from Audacity or VLC media player.

That's all to split audiobook by chapters. If you have any other solution, please share it with us in the comment area.

Ivan Scott

Ivan Scott

Staff Editor

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Ivan Scott, an audiobook enthusiast with a passion for writing. He keeps up with information and tech skills related to iTunes and Audible audiobooks, and shares them with readers.