What is a MP3 file?
MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer III) is the most widely used lossy audio format, found on nearly every phone, car stereo and music player. It was introduced in 1993 by Fraunhofer and MPEG.
What MP3 is good at
- Plays on virtually every device
- Small files at good quality
- Supported by every editor and platform
Where MP3 falls short
- Older, less efficient compression than AAC or Opus
- Quality is lost each time you re-encode
When to use MP3
- Music libraries and downloads
- Podcasts
- Sharing audio by email or chat
Where MP3 files open
MP3 files open in every phone, computer, car stereo, smart speaker and web browser.
MP3 compared with WAV
MP3 or WAV? MP3 is best for music libraries and downloads. WAV is best for recording and editing. Convert MP3 to WAV or convert WAV to MP3.
Frequently asked questions
What is a MP3 file?
MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer III) is the most widely used lossy audio format, found on nearly every phone, car stereo and music player. It was introduced in 1993 by Fraunhofer and MPEG.
What are the advantages of MP3?
Plays on virtually every device; small files at good quality; supported by every editor and platform.
What are the drawbacks of MP3?
Older, less efficient compression than aac or opus; quality is lost each time you re-encode.
What programs open MP3 files?
MP3 files open in every phone, computer, car stereo, smart speaker and web browser.
How do I convert a MP3 file?
Choose the MP3 converter you need from the list on this page, drop in your file and press Convert. You get your new file in seconds, free and without sign-up.