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Updated: March 07, 2025

.MP3 File Extension

There is only one filetype that uses .MP3 file extension and it is MP3 Audio File.

MP3 Audio File

File category: Audio Files
Developer: Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)
Open with: Apple Music (+11 more)
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

An MP3 file is a compressed digital audio format that stores music, podcasts, lectures, sermons, and audiobooks. It uses a specialized compression technique that significantly reduces the file size while maintaining good sound quality. MP3 files typically have a .mp3 file extension.

MP3 stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer 3. It was developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), where the "Layer 3" refers to the specific audio compression method used.

The MP3 format was developed in the early 1990s by the German company Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and officially released in 1993. The development timeline includes:

  • 1987: Research began at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany
  • 1989: First patent for MP3 received in Germany
  • 1993: MPEG-1 standard published
  • 1996: US patent for MP3 issued
  • 1999: First portable MP3 players appeared

MP3 quickly became the universal standard for storing music because it could compress audio files to approximately 1/10th the size of uncompressed formats like WAV or AIF, while still delivering near-CD quality sound. This compression made it practical to store and share music when storage space was limited and internet connections were slow.

The quality of an MP3 file depends on the bit rate used during compression, with common rates including 128, 160, 192, and 256 kbps. Higher bit rates produce better sound quality but result in larger files.

MP3 technology transformed music distribution in the late 1990s and early 2000s by allowing users to:

  • Download music quickly over the internet
  • Store large music collections on limited hard drive space
  • Share music through online platforms
  • Transfer music to portable players like iPods
  • Create custom playlists
  • Stream audio content over the internet

Users typically play MP3 files through audio software on computers or mobile devices, or they can burn them to CDs for playback in compatible players. MP3 files can also be played directly in web browsers without additional software.

An MP3 file consists of frames, each containing a header and a data block. The frames work together and typically cannot be extracted independently. Most MP3 files today include ID3 metadata that stores information about the song, such as title, artist, and album.

While newer audio formats like M4A have emerged with improved efficiency, MP3 remains widely used and supported due to its universal compatibility across devices and platforms.

How to Open .MP3 as MP3 Audio File

MP3 files can be opened with almost any audio player across all platforms:

  • Windows: Microsoft Media Player, Winamp, VLC media player
  • macOS: Apple Music
  • Mobile devices: Default music apps, OPlayer (Android)
  • Web browsers: Most modern browsers can play MP3 files directly

Many audio players allow you to organize MP3 files into playlists and play them in sequential or random order.

Applications That Open MP3 Files

Windows Apps for MP3 Files:

macOS Apps for MP3 Files:

Linux Apps for MP3 Files:

iOS Apps for MP3 Files:

Android Apps for MP3 Files:

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