M3U
Technology & Computing abbreviation · File Format
| Stands for | MP3 URL playlist |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
M3U stands for MP3 URL playlist, a file format abbreviation.
Plain-text playlist file listing the paths or web addresses of audio and video files to play in order. Media players such as Winamp, VLC and iTunes read it, and IPTV services distribute channel lists as M3U files.
Example: Load the M3U playlist in VLC to play the whole album in order.
Usage notes
The name originally came from "MP3 URL", reflecting Winamp-era use. The UTF-8 version, M3U8, became the playlist format of Apple's HTTP Live Streaming in 2009, so .m3u8 files are now everywhere in online video. An extended version adds #EXTINF lines with track titles and durations. M3U files contain only references, not the media itself.
Related abbreviations
More file format abbreviations
- ISO – ISO disc image
- JPEG – Joint Photographic Experts Group
- JPG – JPEG image file
- JXL – JPEG XL
- KML – Keyhole Markup Language
- LNK – Windows shortcut (Shell Link) file
- M4A – MPEG-4 Audio file
- M4V – MPEG-4 Video file (Apple)
- MD – Markdown
- MIDI – Musical Instrument Digital Interface
- MKV – Matroska Video
- MOBI – Mobipocket e-book