Best Methods to Split Audiobook into Chapters [Updated]

By Ivan Scott Updated on 2025-04-18 / Update for Audiobook Tips

Have you ever had a large and long audiobook that just can't listen to the entire audiobook at once? It can be frustrating and even distracting when you can't easily pick up where you left off. In this case, you may want to split your audiobooks into chapters so you can jump straight to the part you want to hear.

The good news is, once you break your audiobook into chapters, it becomes much more like a traditional book - organized, accessible, and easier to enjoy in smaller chunks. In this guide, we will introduce some fascinating ways to 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 Audible Converter

Before splitting audiobooks into chapters, 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 Audible 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. And it supports to output multiple common formats, such as MP3, WAV, FLAC and split audiobook into chapters with ease.

In short, AudFree Audible Converter will enhance your listening experience with its ability to download and split audiobooks at 100X 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
  • Support to convert audiobooks into multiple audio formats
  • Convert multiple audiobooks simultaneously
  • Keep the original ID3 tags and sound quality of audiobooks
  • Support to split audiobook into chapters free with ease

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

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

Step 1Launch AudFree Audible Converter
run the audfree program and import audiobook
After downloading and installing the AudFree Audible Converter, you'll need to launch the software. Next, you need to import the audiobook, such as Audible AA/AAX files and iTunes M4B audiobooks you'd like to split by clicking the 'Add Files' button. Then choose the files to upload.
Step 2Reset audiobooks' output settings
adjust output format for audiobook
Now, you'll only need to select an audio format by hitting on the 'Format' icon. You can select MP3, FLAC, M4A, M4B and other formats 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 audiobook into chapters via audfree audible converter
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 to split M4B into chapters or split Audible audiobook into chapters. Later, select "OK". Then start the conversion by hitting the bottom-right Convert icon. After that, 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 Audible 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 Audible 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 audiobooks 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. Open Audible app on your device, then hit download settings after tapping "Settings" on the screen.

Step 2. Next, you can select audiobooks with Multipart or Single part under the 'Download by parts' section to download.

split audiobook into chapters in audible mobile

View also:

How to Download Audible Audiobooks on iPhone

How to Download Audible Audiobooks on Android

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 can't 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. Now, let's see how to use it to split M4B file into chapter or split Audible audiobook into chapters.

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. After that, you will split audiobook into chapters by time.

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 a 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. FAQs about Splitting Audiobook into Chapters

Q1: Can You Split Audible Audiobooks into Chapters?

A: Yes. In general, Audible supports downloading purchased audiobooks in multiple parts directly. But you need to make sure that your audiobooks are over 12 hours. If your audiobooks is under 12 hours, you can use AudFree Audible Converter, or other tools to split audiobooks into chapters.

Q2: How to Split M4B File into Chapters?

A: There are many tools to help split iTunes M4B audiobooks into chapters. But you need to do that manually, which wastes your time. So, you can use a powerful and professional tool like AudFree Audiobook Converter to make it. It can automatically split audiobooks by chapters, times and so on.

Q3: How Can I Go to a Specific Chapter in Audible Audiobook?

A: While playing an audiobook in Audible, you can tap the text 'Chapter X' on the now playing page. Then you can view and navigate to the target chapter you want to listen to.

Q4: Which Is the Best Tool to Split Audibook into Chapters?

A: AudFree Audible Converter should be the best tool to split audiobook into chapters. It supports to convert audiobooks into multiple audio formats and split audiobooks into chapters automatically. After using it, you can listen to audiobooks with chapters offline anywhere and anytime. However, you can also choose other tools like iTunes, VLC, etc. to split audiobooks manually if you don't mind. By the way, we compare it with other tools mentioned above in the table below, you can take a closer look at them and choose the one you prefer.

  AudFree Audible Converter AudFree Audio Capture iTunes Audible VLC Audacity
Supported Platforms Windows/Mac Windows/Mac Windows/Mac Online/Mobile Windows/Mac/Linux Windows/Mac/Linux
Supported Audiobook Formats Audible AA/AAX;
iTunes M4B
Any audio playing
on computer
DRM-free audio in
AAC/AIFF/MP3/WAV
/ DRM-free audio in
OGG/MP3/FLAC/WAV
DRM-free audio in
OGG/MP3/FLAC/WAV
Output Formats MP3/AAC/FLAC/M4A, etc. MP3/AAC/FLAC/
M4A, etc.
AAC/AIFF/MP3 AA/AAX MP3/AAC/FLAC WAV/AIFF//FLAC, etc.
Automatic Splitting
Splitting Method By chapter/time/segment Manually Manually Manually Manually Manually
Keep Metadata
Speed Fast Medium Slow Medium Medium Medium
Output Quality Lossless Lossy Lossy Lossless Lossy Lossy
Ease to Use Easy Easy Medium Easy Medium Medium
Price $14.95/month $14.95/month Free Paid Free Free
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Part 8. Conclusion

Here are 6 methods to split audiobook into chapters, depending on the format and source of your audiobooks.

To split iTunes/Audible audiobook into chapters, AudFree Audible Converter, AudFree Audio Capture, iTunes, and Audible website are all your choices. With AudFree Audible Converter, it can automatically split audiobook by chapters with its built-in editing tool. With other tools, you need to manually split audiobooks.

For unprotected audiobooks for free, it's also able to get help from Audacity, a powerful open-source audio editor that allows manual chapter splitting using labels and markers, or use VLC media player's recording or bookmarking features to segment audio into parts (less precise, but effective for basic needs.

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

(Click to rate this post)
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.