Opening MP3 Files

The MP3 file type is primarily associated with VLC media player.

MP3	File extension: MP3
	File type:	compressed digital audio file

What is an MP3 file?

MP3 files mostly belong to VLC media player. MP3 files are a compressed digital audio format designed to store and deliver sound with reduced file size.
They use lossy compression to remove low-impact audio data while keeping music and voice parts clear. They are produced using encoding tools such as Lavf and LAME. Some versions even embed a structure similar to MP4 as applied by GPAC in a few cases.

Compression: They reduce file size considerably by eliminating inaudible sounds.
Playback: Most media players, such as VLC media player, can open and play them on computers and portable devices.
Metadata: MP3 files often include ID3 tags for information like artist and title.

FilExt.com tip: They serve mainly for music distribution but are also used for podcasts and digital recordings. This format balances file size with acceptable audio quality, making it a staple in digital audio.

How can I open an MP3 file?

You need a suitable software like VLC media player to open an MP3 file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your MP3 file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a MP3 file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online MP3 File Viewer

Choose your .mp3 file to play

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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Easily convert MP3 files to MP3, WAV, OGG, FLAC, AAC, AIFF, ...

You can convert MP3 files using our online MP3 file viewer (powered by Convert.Guru):

Just click the "Choose your .mp3 file to play" button on this page.
Your MP3 file will then be displayed in the browser.
Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
Then choose the audio format (e.g. MP3, WAV, OGG, FLAC, AAC, AIFF, ...) you want.
Download the converted file.

Programs that open and convert MP3 files:

VLC media player
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. MP3 files are often referred to as VLC media player audios because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
AlbumWrap (Wrapped Music File Archive) by Infamus Software LLC
AlbumWrap allows you to select individual MP3 tracks and wrap them into one file. The Extractor is free. The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 49 44 33 03, ASCII: ID3 . This file format is classified as Audio. Related links: AlbumWrap Extractor
Masterpoint (Green Points File) by ABF Masterpoint Centre
A text file used to transmit bridge card game scores. Use the program NAT4WIN as a convenient method for entering the points. This file may have the file extension .GRN to keep it from being confused with an MP3 media file. This file format is classified as Text. Related links: Format of ABF Masterpoint Files
mp3PRO Audio File
(enhanced MP3 format)
MPEG Audio Stream, Layer III
Initial File Contents is for a file produced by the Xing Encoder. Note: This file type can become infected and should be carefully scanned if someone sends you a file with this extension. The Macintosh type is: MPG3 Starting in October 2007 MP3 files started being used to carry spam messages starting with a stock pump and dump scheme. Expect more as some filters don't block MP3 files which are widely shared. In early 2008 infected files with the MP3 extension started to spread on Symbian OS devices (e.g., Nokia 6600, 6630, 6680 and other phones). Since the Symbian OS recognizes file formats and does not depend on the extension these renamed SIS installation files looked like data files. If a mobile device asks about an install when attempting to open an MP3 or other data file then beware as it's likely malware trying to infect the device. The Mime types used with this association are: audio/mpeg, audio/x-mpeg, audio/mp3, audio/x-mp3, audio/mpeg3, audio/x-mpeg3, audio/mpg, audio/x-mpg, audio/x-mpegaudio. The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: FF. This file format is classified as Audio. Related links: IrfanView, MPEG Home Page, MPEG Resource Site, AudioPlayer
SHARP MZ-series Emulator File
Wrapster Wrapped File
(hide any file in .MP3 format)

MP3 file format details:

Why is it important to know the file format? This is the only way to find out which program to use to open the file. The file format can be determined based on the file extension and the signature (the first few characters of a file). However, different programs can use the same file extension. Furthermore, a file extension can be renamed incorrectly and double-clicking on it will then display an error when it is opened. So a detailed analysis of a file is vital in order to determine the format and the associated program. In the following you will find our evaluation of the MP3 files:

The MP3 file extension is very common and primarily uses a special format that can be read by various programs. The two most common formats are as follows:

80% of all MP3 files are associated with MP3 audio files, which internally utilize the well-known MP3 format. MP3 is an audio file format that uses a compression algorithm to reduce the overall file size of songs, sounds or pieces of music. The content consists of illegible binary data, which can only be read and interpreted by the associated programs. The file size is in the range of 190 KB to 9 MB. The file type was developed 10 years ago and is still in use today. Certain words are almost always found in the files, such as Lavf and TSSE. These files are often associated with audio, music, video, official, remix, song, mate and feat.
4% of all MP3 files internally utilize the MP4 file format. MP4 is a multimedia container format used to store video and audio and allows streaming over the Internet. They consist of illegible, cryptic characters. The files are often between 55 KB and 13 MB in size. The files contain the following words: lmvhd, \tkhd, trak, (mvex, ftypdash, iso6mp41, trex and `moov. Files like these are about recording, lyrics, trap, muhmen, record, samba, sound, theme, beat, call, cent and okin.

All other MP3 files (16%) have different formats, frequently e.g. RIFF, ZIP, Mac2OSX, MKV and Ogg. Tagged as kbps, sound, kalimba, theme, love or lyrics. Just click the "Choose your .mp3 file to play" button on this page to find out what your MP3 file is.

Technical Data for MP3 File Extension

File classification:

Audio

Identifier:

Hex: FF (provided by TrID database)

Related files:

aac, flac, ogg, wma, m4a, alac, ape, aiff, dts, check, mp4, lrc, jpg, wav, m4r, vdj, pth, m4a, music, na, id3, bgm, audio, irc, bpp, mpga, sty, bank

Mime type:

audio/mpeg, audio/x-mpeg, audio/mp3, audio/x-mp3, audio/mpeg3, audio/x-mpeg3, audio/mpg, audio/x-mpg, audio/x-mpegaudio

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: ati_mfplay, FileType: ATI File Player, AppName: ATI Multimedia Center
EXEFile: ATIMMC.EXE

ProgramID: BPMStudio.File, FileType: Digital Audio File, AppName: BPMPLAY.EXE

ProgramID: iTunes.mp3, FileType: MPEG Layer 3 Audio, AppName: iTunes
EXEFile: iTunes.exe

ProgramID: MMJB.MP3, FileType: mp3 file, AppName: MUSICMATCH Jukebox
EXEFile: mmjblaunch.exe

ProgramID: mp3file, FileType: M3U file, AppName: Windows Media Player

ProgramID: mp3file, FileType: MP3 audio file (mp3), AppName: Windows Media Player
EXEFile: mplayer2.exe

ProgramID: mp3file, FileType: MP3 audio file (mp3), AppName: Windows Media Player
EXEFile: wmplayer.exe

ProgramID: mp3file, FileType: MP3 file, AppName: Windows Media Player

ProgramID: mp3file, FileType: MP3 Format Sound, AppName: Microsoft(R) Windows Media Player

ProgramID: mp3file, FileType: MP3 Format Sound, AppName: Windows Media Player
EXEFile: wmplayer.exe

ProgramID: QuickTime.mp3, FileType: MPEG Layer-3 Audio, AppName: QuickTime Player
EXEFile: QuickTimePlayer.exe

ProgramID: QuickTime.mp3, FileType: MPEG Layer-3 Audio, AppName: QuickTime Player Application
EXEFile: QuickTimePlayer.exe

ProgramID: RealPlayer.MP3.6, FileType: MP3 Audio, AppName: RealOne Enterprise Desktop

ProgramID: RealPlayer.MP3.6, FileType: MP3 Audio, AppName: RealOne Player
EXEFile: RealPlay.exe

ProgramID: RealPlayer.MP3.6, FileType: MP3 Audio, AppName: RealPlayer
EXEFile: RealPlay.exe

ProgramID: RealPlayer.MP3.6, FileType: Mpeg Audio, AppName: RealPlayer
EXEFile: RealPlay.exe

ProgramID: Roxio.file.audio.mp3, FileType: MP3 Format Sound, AppName: Roxio AudioCentral Player
EXEFile: RxPlayer.exe

ProgramID: SlowView MP3, AppName: SlowView
EXEFile: SlowView.exe

ProgramID: Sonique.File, FileType: Sonique File, AppName: Sonique

ProgramID: UltraPlayer.AudioFile, FileType: UltraPlayer File, AppName: UltraPlayer Multimedia Player Application
EXEFile: UPlayer.exe

ProgramID: Winamp.File, FileType: Winamp media file, AppName: BSPlayer
EXEFile: bsplay.exe

ProgramID: Winamp.File, FileType: Winamp media file, AppName: Winamp
EXEFile: Winamp.exe

ProgramID: Winamp3.File, FileType: Winamp media file, AppName: Winamp3
EXEFile: studio.exe

ProgramID: Winamp3.File, FileType: Winamp media file, AppName: Winamp3
EXEFile: winamp3.exe

ProgramID: ALLPlayerFile
EXEFile: D:\aaa\MarBit\ALLPlayer\ALLPlayer.exe %1

ProgramID: Blaze Media Pro
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Blaze Media Pro\BMP.exe %1

ProgramID: foobar2000.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\foobar2000\foobar2000.exe %1

ProgramID: iTunes.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\iTunes\iTunes.exe /open %L

ProgramID: iTunes.mp3
EXEFile: D:\iTunes\iTunes.exe /open %L

ProgramID: MMJB.MP3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mmjblaunch.exe

ProgramID: MMJB.MP3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mmjblaunch.exe %1

ProgramID: Morpheus.Audio
EXEFile: C:\Documents and Settings\Jimmy Son\Desktop\Media Downloads\Morpheus\Morpheus.exe %1

ProgramID: MP3_conch_file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MasterSoft\SuperDVD.exe %1

ProgramID: mp3file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe

ProgramID: mp3file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /Open %L

ProgramID: mp3file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /prefetch:6

ProgramID: mp3file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /prefetch:6 /Open

ProgramID: mp3file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /prefetch:6 /Open %L

ProgramID: OpenMG_Mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Sony\OpenMG Jukebox\Omgjbox.exe %1

ProgramID: OpenMG_Mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Sony\SonicStage\omgjbox.exe %1

ProgramID: PDVDmpgfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PowerDVD.exe %L

ProgramID: QuickTime.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\QUICKT~1\QuickTimePlayer.exe %1

ProgramID: RealPlayer.MP3.6
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Real\RealOne Player\RealPlay.exe %1

ProgramID: RealPlayer.MP3.6
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe %1

ProgramID: RealPlayer.MP3.6
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe /m audio/mpeg %1

ProgramID: RealPlayer.MP3.6
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\RealPlay.exe %1

ProgramID: Roxio.file.audio.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\AudioCentral\RxPlayer.exe /openfiles %L

ProgramID: Winamp.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\JetAudio\JetAudio.exe %1

ProgramID: Winamp.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Netscape\Communicator\Winamp\winamp.exe %1

ProgramID: Winamp.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Winamp\Winamp.exe %1

ProgramID: Winamp3.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Winamp3\Studio.exe %1

ProgramID: Winamp3.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Winamp3\winamp3.exe %1

ProgramID: MediaSource.mp3File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Creative\MediaSource\CTCMS.exe /PlayNow %1

ProgramID: mp3file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\WINDOW~1\wmplayer.exe /Open %L

ProgramID: Winamp.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Winamp5.08\Winamp.exe %1

ProgramID: MP3file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\DSPlayer\DSPlayer_v0.59.5_alpha.exe %1

ProgramID: mp3file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\JetAudio\JetAudio.exe %1

ProgramID: mp3file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Media Player Classic\mplayerc.exe %1

ProgramID: ACEMegaCoDecSPack.MP3FileS
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACE Mega CoDecS Pack\Media Player Classic\mplayerc.exe %1 /open

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Rhapsody\rhapsody.exe %1

ProgramID: XingMpeg
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Xing\XingMPEG Player\xmplayer.exe %1

ProgramID: Winamp.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Winamp5\Winamp.exe %1

ProgramID: ACEMegaCoDecSPack.MP3FileS
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACE Mega CoDecS Pack\Media Player Classic\mplayerc.exe %1

ProgramID: QuickTime.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\QuickTime\QuickTimePlayer.exe %1

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\RealRhapsody\rhapsody.exe %1

ProgramID: MMJB.MP3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Creative\mmjblaunch.exe %1

ProgramID: SORITONG.FILE
EXEFile: D:\soritong990110\bin\SoriTong.exe %1

ProgramID: iriverplus.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\iriver\iriver plus\iplus.exe %1

ProgramID: MediaMonkey.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MediaMonkey\MediaMonkey.exe %1

ProgramID: mp3file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\mplayer2.exe /Play %L

ProgramID: MMJB.MP3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MusicMatch\MusicMatch Jukebox\MMJB.exe %1

ProgramID: YMP.Media
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Yahoo!\Yahoo! Music Engine\YahooMusicEngine.exe -play %1

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\COMCAS~1\rhapsody.exe %1

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Real\rhapsody.exe %1

ProgramID: RealPlayer.MP3.6
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Real\RealJukebox\realjbox.exe /m audio/mpeg %1

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Comcast Rhapsody\rhapsody.exe %1

ProgramID: XingMP3.Media.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Xing\XingMP3 Player\XingMP3 Player.exe %1

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\COMCAS~2\rhapsody.exe %1

ProgramID: MMJB.MP3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Media\Audio\Musicmatch Jukebox\mmjblaunch.exe %1

ProgramID: QuickTime.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\NCH Swift Sound\WavePad\wavepad.exe %L

ProgramID: NeroShowTime.Files.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Ahead\Nero ShowTime\ShowTime.exe

ProgramID: NeroShowTime.Files.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Ahead3\Nero ShowTime\ShowTime.exe

ProgramID: mp3file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /Open

ProgramID: MediaMonkey.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MEDIAM~1\MEDIAM~2.EXE

ProgramID: Media_Source_U.mp3File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Creative\MediaSource5\CTCMSu.exe /PlayNow

ProgramID: mp3file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\NCH Swift Sound\WavePad\wavepad.exe

ProgramID: EasyDVD
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Easy DVD Player\EasyDVD.EXE

ProgramID: RealPlayer.MP3.6
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\JetAudio\JetAudio.exe

ProgramID: ACEMegaCoDecSPack.MP3FileS
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACE Mega CoDecS Pack\BSPlayer\bsplayer.exe /open

ProgramID: WinRip.MP3.2
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\InterVideo\WinRip\WinRip.exe

ProgramID: MPlayerFileAudio
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MPlayer for Windows\MPUI.exe

ProgramID: CtraxPlayer.2.File
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\system32\CtrxPl.exe /Play

ProgramID: iTunes.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\QuickTime\iTunes.exe /open

ProgramID: mymp3.mp3File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Pinnacle\InstantCDDVD\InstantAudio\InstantAudio.exe

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Best Buy Rhapsody\rhapsody.exe

ProgramID: WMP11.AssocFile.MP3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /prefetch:6 /Open

ProgramID: EsmasPlayer.1.File
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\system32\EMPLnchr.exe /Play

ProgramID: mp3file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\mplayer2.exe /Play

ProgramID: Microsoft.Zune.1.MP3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Zune\Zune.exe /Open

ProgramID: QMP.audio
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Quintessential Media Player\QMPlayer.exe /open

ProgramID: Democracy.Player.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Participatory Culture Foundation\Democracy Player\Democracy.exe

ProgramID: iMesh.file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\iMesh Applications\iMesh\iMesh.exe

ProgramID: MediaJukebox.File
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\system32\mjextman.exe /Play

ProgramID: KMPlayer.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\The KMPlayer\KMPlayer.exe

ProgramID: MPEG.I.Layer.3.file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\coolpro2\coolpro2.exe

ProgramID: IrfanView.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\IrfanView\i_view32.exe

ProgramID: MMPlayer
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\SAMSUNG\Samsung Internet Keyboard\MMPlayer.exe

ProgramID: mp3file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\!BackupC\prgs\Light Alloy\LA.exe

ProgramID: QCD.audio
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\quintessential player\qcdplayer.exeexec

ProgramID: MediaMonkey.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MEDIAM~1\MEDIAM~1.EXE

ProgramID: Miro.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Participatory Culture Foundation\Miro\Miro.exe

ProgramID: qvodplayer.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\QvodPlayer\QvodPlayer.exe -localfile

ProgramID: ACDSee.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACD Systems\ACDSee\5.0\ACDSee5.exe

ProgramID: MediaMonkey.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MediaMonkey\MediaMonkey (non-skinned).exe

ProgramID: MediaMonkey.MP3File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MediaMonkey\MediaMonkey.exe

ProgramID: kwfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\KWMUSIC\KwMusic.exe

ProgramID: iTunes.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\iTunes.exe /open

ProgramID: CONNECT Player.mp3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Sony\CONNECT Player\CPlayer.exe

ProgramID: KuGoo.MP3
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\KuGou\KuGou2008\KuGoo.exe /Open

ProgramID: MPlayerFileAudio
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MPlayer\mplayer\smplayer_portable.exe

ProgramID: BearShare.file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\BearShare Applications\BearShare\BearShare.exe

ProgramID: RealPlayer.MP3.6
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Dhamu\Download\RealPlay.exe

Show all 122 listings To Top

an mp3 compressed digital audio file is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with MP3 files

Associate the MP3 file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open compressed digital audio files. Because only the current version supports the latest MP3 file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the manufacturer website after an available VLC media player update.
To make sure that your MP3 file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .MP3 file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.