What is an MP3 file?
MP3 stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer III. It was created by the Fraunhofer Institute and first released in 1993. MP3 is the most widely supported audio format there is, which is its whole appeal. At 320 kbps most listeners cannot tell it from the original; at 128 kbps cymbals and applause start to smear.
| Type | audio |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy |
| Usually contains | MP3 audio, typically 128 to 320 kbps |
| In a browser | plays in every browser, phone, car stereo and media player |
| Common uses | music libraries, podcasts and anything that has to play everywhere |
| MIME type | audio/mpeg |
Which format should you convert MP3 to?
- MP3 to M4A for iPhone, iTunes and Apple Music.
- MP3 to WAV to edit in an audio editor or burn to CD.
- MP3 to FLAC to archive without losing any quality.
- MP3 to MP4 to upload somewhere that only accepts video.
MP3 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 MP3 file
Whether an MP3 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, MP3 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 | MP3 plays in every browser, phone, car stereo and media player. |
Want the technical details? See what a .mp3 file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
MP3 compared with other audio formats
How MP3 stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| OGG | Lossy | Vorbis, sometimes Opus or FLAC | 2000 | video games, desktop streaming apps and open-source software |
How to use the MP3 converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your MP3 files on the box, or press Choose MP3 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 MP3 files without losing quality
MP3 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 MP3 files from the command line
Everything this page does can also be done in a terminal. The most common MP3 conversion, to WAV, looks like this with ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.mp3 -vn -c:a pcm_s16le output.wavChange 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.
MP3 converter FAQ
What is an MP3 file?
MP3 stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer III, an audio format created by the Fraunhofer Institute in 1993. MP3 is the most widely supported audio format there is, which is its whole appeal. At 320 kbps most listeners cannot tell it from the original; at 128 kbps cymbals and applause start to smear.
How do I open an MP3 file?
MP3 plays in every browser, phone, car stereo and media player. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common MP3 conversion?
MP3 to WAV is the conversion people search for most. The audio is decoded and written as 16-bit PCM, the same sample rate as the source.
Does converting MP3 files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your MP3 files never leave your device.
Is the MP3 converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many MP3 files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert MP3 files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your MP3 files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several MP3 files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.