---
title: "How to Split m4b Audiobook into Individual Files"
date: 2025-12-28T10:00:00.000Z
author: Z.SHINCHVEN
tags: [audiobook, m4b, python, ffmpeg, tools]
canonical: https://atlassc.net/2025/12/28/split-m4b-audiobook-into-individual-files
---
Audiobooks often come in the `.m4b` format, which is a convenient container for holding an entire book with chapter markers. However, not all audio players handle these large files or their chapters correctly. Sometimes, you just want individual MP3 or FLAC files for each chapter to play on your legacy MP3 player, car stereo, or specialized audio device.

In this post, I'll introduce `splitm4b`, a simple Python tool that solves this exact problem.

## Quick Start

If you already have Python and FFmpeg installed, here is the fastest way to get started:

```bash
# Install the tool
pip install git+https://github.com/ShinChven/splitm4b.git
```

```bash
# Split your audiobook
splitm4b your-audiobook.m4b
```

## Prerequisites

Under the hood, `splitm4b` relies on **FFmpeg** to handle audio conversion and processing. You need to have it installed on your system.

**macOS:**
```bash
brew install ffmpeg
```

**Ubuntu/Debian:**
```bash
sudo apt install ffmpeg
```

## Installation

The tool is hosted on GitHub. You can install it directly using `pip`:

```bash
pip install git+https://github.com/ShinChven/splitm4b.git
```

## Usage Guide

### Basic Splitting

To split an audiobook into MP3 files (the default format), simply run the command with your file path:

```bash
splitm4b "The Hobbit.m4b"
```

This will:
1.  Read the chapter markers from the `.m4b` file.
2.  Create a directory named after the book.
3.  Extract each chapter into a separate file inside that directory.
4.  Automatically attempt to match the source bitrate.

### High-Quality Output (FLAC)

If you prefer lossless quality for archiving or high-end audio setups, you can export to FLAC:

```bash
splitm4b "The Hobbit.m4b" --format flac
```

Supported formats include: `mp3` (default), `aac`, and `flac`.

### Custom Bitrate

By default, `splitm4b` tries to detect the bitrate of the source file to avoid unnecessary bloat. However, if you want to force a specific bitrate (e.g., to reduce file size for a small player), you can specify it:

```bash
splitm4b "The Hobbit.m4b" --bitrate 64k
```

### Metadata and Artwork Preservation

One of the best features of `splitm4b` is that it doesn't just cut the audio. It also carries over the **album metadata and cover art** from the original `.m4b` file to every single split chapter.

This means that when you load these files into your player:
*   The **book title** will appear as the album name.
*   The **chapter titles** will be correctly set as track names.
*   The **cover art** will display beautifully on your screen, making for a much more polished experience.

## Why Split?

While `.m4b` is great for Apple Books and capable players, splitting offers several advantages:

*   **Compatibility:** Play your books on any device that supports standard audio files, from old MP3 players to smart speakers.
*   **Granular Control:** Easily manage, share, or backup specific parts of a book.
*   **Navigation:** Using file-based navigation is sometimes easier than seeking through a 20-hour file on devices with poor UI.

Give `splitm4b` a try and liberate your audiobooks from their single-file containers!