How To Make a Ringtone From an MP3

When you look up “Ringtones” on Google, you are bombarded with websites that charge you several dollars per ringtone. However, with just a little effort and some free software, this guide will show you how to make a Ringtone from an MP3 completely for free.

All you need is:

1. a cellphone that allows MP3 playback and supports custom ringtones; Most current cellphones allow this nowadays. Brands that support custom ringtones include Nokia, Ericsson, Siemens, Audiovox, Samsung and Panasonic.
   
2. a connection between your cellphone and your computer; This can be an USB cable, Bluetooth, or even an online connection like email.
   
3. Sound editing software; This guide uses the free Audacity.
   

First of all, you need to install the appropriate software. If you don’t have any sound editing software, you’ll need to get that first. If you already have editing software available, you can either install Audacity to follow this guide, or use this guide to perform similar actions using your software. In that case, you can skip this step. Here is how to install and configure Audacity:

1. If you want to follow this guide, download Audacity from this location.
2. Install the downloaded software package.
3. In order to allow Audacity to edit your MP3, you need to download an additional library, called LAME. LAME can be obtained here.
4. Store the downloaded LAME file, and remember the location.
5. Start up Audacity
6. Select “Edit”, choose “Preferences”, and click the “File Firmats” tab.
7. Click on the “Find Library” button, and browse to the location where you stored LAME.

If you already have a target MP3, create a working copy of the file. Remember where you store the copy MP3 file.

If you don’t already have an MP3 you want to use, check How to Download Free Music. This page teaches you how to obtain free MP3 music.

You now have your music editing software, and the music you want to use for your ringtone. Now you are ready to create your own ringtone.

1. If you’ve closed Audacity, open it now.

1. Open the MP3 file you copied in step 2, by selecting “File” from the menu, and select “Open..”. Alternatively, you can browse to your MP3 file, and drag it on the Audacity program window.
2. Using “Zoom” (the magnifying glass with a plus in it) to zoom in on the music part of your choice. Use the play button to check you have the correct selection.
3. Use the “select” tool to highlight your 20 seconds
4. Choose “Edit”, “Trim”.
5. If your cellphone doesn’t support ‘fade in’, you can optionally apply it to your music selection.
6. Save your work by selecting “File”, "Export as MP3" Remember the name and location where you save your work.

Your ringtone is prepared, and ready for use. The only task left now is to transfer it to your cellphone, either by connecting your cellphone to your computer with the accompanying cord, via Blue-Tooth, or via email, dependent on what connection type your phone supports.

Once the ringtone is stored on your phone, you need to select the new ringtone. This is dependent on the brand of your phone. For Nokia, this option should be located under “Profiles”. For LG, it is located under “Settings”, “Sounds”, “Ringers”.