iTunes for Mac: Create your own CDs and DVDs

Create your own CDs and DVDs

You can create these types of discs in iTunes:

Tip: iTunes can print a playlist formatted for use as a jewel case insert; choose Command-P, then select “CD jewel case insert.”

Create a CD or DVD

  1. Create a playlist that contains the songs or files you want to burn to the CD; make sure the items you want to include have a checkmark beside them.

  2. Insert a blank disc.

  3. Select the playlist, then choose File > Burn Playlist to Disc.

    If Burn Playlist to Disc doesn’t appear in the menu, the playlist you selected can’t be burned to a CD because it contains items with usage restrictions (for example, a song your computer isn’t authorized to play).

  4. Select a disc format.

  5. If you’re creating an audio CD, choose your options:

    • Change the recording speed: Choose an option from the Preferred Speed pop-up menu.

    • Change the amount of silence between songs: Choose an option from the Gap Between Songs pop-up menu.

    • Have all the songs on the disc play at the same volume: Select Use Sound Check.

    • Include information that disc players in some vehicles can display: Select Include CD Text.

  6. Click Burn.

It might take several minutes to burn a disc. You can cancel the burn by clicking the Cancel button next to the progress bar, but if you’re using a CD-R or DVD-R disc, you won’t be able to use it again.

Note: If the playlist contains more items than will fit on the disc, iTunes burns only the number of items that fit on one disc, and then asks you to insert another disc to continue burning the remaining items. If you’re creating audio CDs, only the last disc burned includes track information (song title, artist, and album). Songs on the other CDs are identified only by track number (for example, “Track 01,” “Track 02”).

See also
Usage rights for iTunes Store purchases
Disc burning overview
If you have trouble burning a disc