MP3 file format
MPEG-1 Audio Layer III (.mp3): music and podcasts that must play anywhere.
MP3 is the most compatible audio format there is. It shrinks music to about a tenth of CD size by removing sounds people hardly hear. At 192–320 kbps most listeners cannot tell it from the original, and every device ever made with a speaker can play it.
| Full name | MPEG-1 Audio Layer III |
|---|---|
| File extension | .mp3 |
| MIME type | audio/mpeg |
| Created | 1993 by Fraunhofer IIS and the MPEG group |
| Compression | Lossy |
| Typical bitrate | 128–320 kbps |
| Size | 1–2.4 MB per minute |
| Plays on | Everything: every phone, car stereo, speaker and app |
| Best for | music and podcasts that must play anywhere |
Advantages
- Plays on every device
- Small files
Drawbacks
- Lossy
- Slightly less efficient than AAC or Opus
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Frequently asked questions
What is a .mp3 file?
MP3 is the most compatible audio format there is. It shrinks music to about a tenth of CD size by removing sounds people hardly hear. At 192–320 kbps most listeners cannot tell it from the original, and every device ever made with a speaker can play it.
How do I open a MP3 file?
MP3 files open on Everything: every phone, car stereo, speaker and app. If a program will not open yours, convert it to a more common format.
Is MP3 lossless?
No, MP3 uses lossy compression: some detail is discarded to make files smaller.
How do I convert MP3?
Use one of the converters below — they run in your browser, so your audio files are never uploaded. Most popular: MP3 to WAV, MP3 to M4A, MP3 to FLAC.