The following tables display file extensions associated with audio files, with extensions for the most commonly encountered file formats listed first:
| File Extension |
File Description |
| .aac |
Advanced Audio Coding File
Digital audio encoding popularised by Apple Computer through
iPod and iTunes.
Open using Apple iTunes. |
| .aif |
Audio Interchange File Format
A common sound format found on the Web; although .aiff is a Macintosh
format, it can be used on other platforms as well.
Open using Apple QuickTime Player, iTunes or Windows Media Player.
|
| .mid |
MIDI File
Open using QuickTime Player or other audio program that supports MIDI;
can also be edited with a text editor. |
| .midi |
MIDI File
Open using uickTime Player or other audio program that supports MIDI;
can also be edited with a text editor. |
| .mp3 |
MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) Layer 3 Audio File
The most popular file format on the Web for distributing CD-quality
music. A 1 Mb file is equal to about 1 minute of music.
Open files with most music players, such as iTunes or Windows Media Player. |
| .mpa |
MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) Audio File
Open using Apple QuickTime Player, iTunes; Microsoft Windows Media Player. |
| .ra |
Real Audio
A proprietary streaming audio format allowing you to play sound files
in real-time. Requires RealPlayer, available (free) for both Macintosh
and Windows. |
| .ram |
Real Audio Media
Open using RealPlayer. |
| .wav |
Windows WAVE Sound File
Microsoft and IBM audio file format standard for storing audio on
PCs. A 10 Mb file is equal to about 1 minute of music.
Open using Audio or media application (QuickTime, Windows Media Player, iTunes). |
| .wma |
Windows Media Audio
A proprietary compressed audio file format developed by Microsoft. Files in this
format can be played using Windows Media Player, Winamp and other alternative
media players. |
| File Extension |
File Description |
| .669 |
UNIS Composer 669 Module |
| .6cm |
Six Channel Module |
| .8cm |
Eight Channel Module |
| .8med |
Amiga OctaMed Music File |
| .8svx |
Amiga 8-Bit Sound File |
| .ahx |
WinAHX Tracker Module |
| .aifc |
Compressed Audio Interchange File |
| .aiff |
Audio Interchange File Format |
| .al |
A-Law Compressed Sound Format |
| .alaw |
A-Law Compressed Sound Format |
| .amr |
Adaptive Multi-Rate Codec |
| .ape |
Monkey's Audio Lossless Audio File |
| .au |
Audio File |
| .avr |
Audio Visual Research File |
| .cda |
CD Audio Track |
| .cel |
Audition Loop |
| .cmf |
Creative Music Format |
| .cwp |
Cakewalk SONAR Project |
| .d00 |
OPL2 FM Audio File |
| .d01 |
OPL2 FM Audio File |
| .dss |
Digital Speech Standard File |
| .dvf |
Sony Digital Voice File |
| .far |
Farandole Composer Module |
| .flac |
Free Lossless Audio Codec |
| .flp |
FruityLoops Project |
| .ics |
IC Recorder Sound File |
| .iff |
Interchangeable File Format |
| .it |
Impulse Tracker Module |
| .kar |
Karaoke MIDI File |
| .kin |
Kinetic Music Project |
| .ktp |
Kinetic Project Template |
| .lso |
Logic Audio Project |
| .m3u |
MP3 Playlist |
| .m4a |
MPEG-4 Audio Layer File |
| .m4p |
Protected AAC File |
| .med |
Amiga MED Sound File |
| .mmf |
Synthetic Music Mobile Application Format |
| .mod |
Amiga Music Module File |
| .mp2 |
MPEG Layer II Compressed Audio File |
| .mpc |
Musepack Audio File |
| .mpu |
Moving Picture Experts Group 3 Layer Audio |
| .mp_ |
Mobile Phone Sound File |
| .msv |
Memory Stick Voice File |
| .mtm |
MultiTracker Module |
| .nap |
Napster Copyright-Secured Music File |
| .ogg |
Ogg Vorbis Compressed Audio File |
| .pca |
Perfect Clarity Audio |
| .pcm |
Pulse Code Modulation |
| .pvc |
Panasonic Voice File |
| .rfl |
Reason ReFill Sound Bank |
| .rmf |
Rich Music Format |
| .rmi |
RIFF MIDI (RMID) File |
| .rmx |
RealJukebox Format |
| .s3m |
ScreamTracker 3 Sound File |
| .saf |
Secure Audio File |
| .sd2 |
Sound Designer II File |
| .sdx |
Sample MIDI Dump Exchange |
| .sf |
Sound File |
| .sfk |
Sound Forge Audio |
| .sib |
Sibelius Score |
| .smf |
Standard MIDI File |
| .snd |
Sound Clip |
| .sng |
MIDI Song File |
| .svx |
8SVX Sound File |
| .sw |
Signed Word Audio File |
| .swa |
ShockWave Audio |
| .tfmx |
Final Music System Tracker Module |
| .thx |
Amiga THX Tracker Music File |
| .tsp |
TrueSpeech Audio File |
| .uax |
Unreal Sound File |
| .ub |
Unsigned Byte Audio File |
| .vmf |
Vocaltec Media File |
| .voc |
Creative Labs Audio (Voice) File |
| .voi |
Voyetra Voice File |
| .vox |
VoxWare Audio |
| .wave |
WAVE Sound File |
| .wax |
Windows Media Audio Redirect |
| .wrk |
Cakewalk Music Project |
| .xm |
Extended Module Audio File |
| .xmi |
Compressed eXtended MIDI file |
