What is an MP2 file?
MP2 stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer II. It was created by the Moving Picture Experts Group and first released in 1993. MP2 predates MP3 and is still the audio format of European digital radio and many TV broadcasts. It needs more bitrate than MP3 for the same quality, but it is simpler to decode.
| Type | audio |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy |
| Usually contains | MPEG-1 Layer II audio |
| In a browser | plays in most desktop players; browser support is patchy |
| Common uses | broadcast radio, DVB television and Video CDs |
| MIME type | audio/mpeg |
Which format should you convert MP2 to?
- MP2 to MP3 to play on any device, car stereo or website.
- MP2 to WAV to edit in an audio editor or burn to CD.
- MP2 to MP4 to upload somewhere that only accepts video.
MP2 is already lossy, so converting it to a lossless format makes the file bigger without improving it; pick a lossless target only if a program requires one.
How to open an MP2 file
Whether an MP2 file opens with a double click depends on the device. Here is what works on each, without buying software:
| Windows | Films and TV and Media Player open the common formats; VLC opens almost any audio file, MP2 included. |
|---|---|
| Mac | QuickTime Player opens formats Apple supports; VLC or IINA open the rest. |
| iPhone and iPad | The Files app plays formats Apple supports. For others, a player such as VLC for iOS, or converting the file here, is the easiest route. |
| Android | Most gallery and music apps play the common formats; VLC for Android plays almost everything. |
| Web browser | MP2 plays in most desktop players; browser support is patchy. |
Want the technical details? See what a .mp2 file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
MP2 compared with other audio formats
How MP2 stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP2 | Lossy | MPEG-1 Layer II audio | 1993 | broadcast radio, DVB television and Video CDs |
| MP3 | Lossy | MP3 audio, typically 128 to 320 kbps | 1993 | music libraries, podcasts and anything that has to play everywhere |
| WAV | Lossless | uncompressed PCM, usually 16-bit at 44.1 or 48 kHz | 1991 | recording, editing, sound effects and CD audio |
| M4A | Either | AAC, or ALAC for lossless files | 2001 | iTunes purchases, iPhone voice memos and Apple Music downloads |
| FLAC | Lossless | FLAC lossless audio, up to 32-bit and 655 kHz | 2001 | CD rips, hi-res music stores and audio archives |
How to use the MP2 converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your MP2 files on the box, or press Choose MP2 files. Several files can go in at once.
- Adjust the settings if you need to; the defaults suit most people.
- Press Convert and save each file with its Download button. Nothing is uploaded at any point.
Tips for converting MP2 files without losing quality
MP2 is lossy, so some detail was already discarded when the file was made. Converting it cannot bring that back. Converting to a lossless format preserves what is left exactly but makes the file larger; converting to another lossy format adds a small extra loss, which is invisible at sensible settings.
- Keep a lossless master. If you have WAV, FLAC, AIFF or ALAC, keep it, and make lossy copies such as MP3 or AAC from it when you need them.
- Avoid converting one lossy format into another more than once. Each MP3, AAC or OGG encode throws away a little more, and the losses add up.
- Match the bitrate to the content: 192 kbps and up for music, 96 to 128 kbps for podcasts, 64 kbps for voice notes.
- Stick to 44.1 kHz for music and 48 kHz for audio that goes with video; resampling between them is harmless but pointless.
Convert MP2 files from the command line
Everything this page does can also be done in a terminal. The most common MP2 conversion, to MP4, looks like this with ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.mp2 -c:v libx264 -crf 23 -preset veryfast -c:a aac -b:a 128k -movflags +faststart output.mp4Change the output extension to pick another format. The converter above runs the same ffmpeg engine inside your browser, so you get the result without installing anything.
MP2 converter FAQ
What is an MP2 file?
MP2 stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer II, an audio format created by the Moving Picture Experts Group in 1993. MP2 predates MP3 and is still the audio format of European digital radio and many TV broadcasts. It needs more bitrate than MP3 for the same quality, but it is simpler to decode.
How do I open an MP2 file?
MP2 plays in most desktop players; browser support is patchy. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common MP2 conversion?
MP2 to MP4 is the conversion people search for most. MP4 is a video format. The audio is encoded as AAC audio, and by default the file has no picture.
Does converting MP2 files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your MP2 files never leave your device.
Is the MP2 converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many MP2 files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert MP2 files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your MP2 files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several MP2 files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.