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What is an MP3 file?
The universal audio format. MP3 plays on every device ever made with a speaker, from car stereos to smartwatches.
Pros
- Universal compatibility
- Small files — about 1 MB per minute at 128 kbps
- Supports ID3 tags and cover art
Cons
- Lossy: some detail is discarded
- Less efficient than AAC or Opus at low bitrates
How to open MP3 files
VLC, foobar2000 and most music players open MP3. It also plays natively on Windows, macOS, iPhone and Android.
Is MP3 lossy or lossless?
MP3 is lossy: it removes sounds that are hard to hear to make files smaller. Quality depends on the bitrate — 192 kbps and above is transparent for most listeners.
When should you convert MP3?
MP3 plays on every device ever made with a speaker, from car stereos to smartwatches. If the app or device you need doesn't accept MP3, convert it to WAV, M4A or FLAC — the most widely supported alternative.
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MP3 at a glance
- Full name
- MPEG-1 Audio Layer III
- Developed by
- Fraunhofer IIS / MPEG
- Introduced
- 1993
- Contains
- MP3 (lossy)
- MIME type
- audio/mpeg
- Best for
- music libraries, podcasts, car stereos, any device