OPUS file format
Opus Interactive Audio Codec (.opus): voice messages, calls and streaming at low bitrates.
Opus is the most efficient general-purpose audio codec available. It powers WhatsApp voice messages, Discord, Zoom and WebRTC calls, and sounds good even at very low bitrates. The downside is compatibility: many music players, car stereos and Apple apps cannot open .opus files, so they are often converted to MP3.
| Full name | Opus Interactive Audio Codec |
|---|---|
| File extension | .opus |
| MIME type | audio/opus |
| Created | 2012 by the IETF (standard RFC 6716), with Xiph.Org, Mozilla and Skype |
| Compression | Lossy |
| Typical bitrate | 32–192 kbps |
| Size | 0.25–1.4 MB per minute |
| Plays on | Chrome, Firefox, Android, VLC, WhatsApp and Discord; many players and car stereos do not support it |
| Best for | voice messages, calls and streaming at low bitrates |
Advantages
- Best quality at low bitrates
- Great for voice
- Royalty-free
Drawbacks
- Many players, car stereos and editors cannot open it
Convert OPUS to…
Convert to OPUS
Frequently asked questions
What is a .opus file?
Opus is the most efficient general-purpose audio codec available. It powers WhatsApp voice messages, Discord, Zoom and WebRTC calls, and sounds good even at very low bitrates. The downside is compatibility: many music players, car stereos and Apple apps cannot open .opus files, so they are often converted to MP3.
How do I open a OPUS file?
Chrome, Firefox, VLC, Android and WhatsApp play Opus. Many music players, car stereos and Apple apps cannot — convert to MP3.
Is OPUS lossless?
No, OPUS uses lossy compression: some detail is discarded to make files smaller.
How do I convert OPUS?
Use one of the converters below — they run in your browser, so your audio files are never uploaded. Most popular: OPUS to MP3, OPUS to WAV, OPUS to M4A.