Opening MP3 files

Did your computer fail to open a MP3 file? We explain what MP3 files are and recommend software that we know can open or convert your MP3 files.

What is a MP3 file?

MP3 files are the most commonly distributed audio files in the world. The MP3 file format allows an audio file to be reduced in size, making it easier to download the file from the Internet and store it on a portable media device.

The MP3 file format is commonly used to store and play audio files on MP3 players, iPods and cellular phones. The audio files that are saved in MP3 format are compressed. When recording audio data to a standard CD, one minute of data will take up approximately 10 MB of disc space. With an MP3 file, however, one minute of audio will only take up 1 MB of space.

While there is some loss in quality of sound when recording MP3 files, it is usually not noticeable to the average listener.