What is an OGG file?
OGG is a free audio format that sounds better than MP3 at the same file size, and the gap widens as files get smaller. Browsers and most modern players handle it, though not every device does the way they do MP3. You can convert OGG files here, both into the format and out of it.
Specification
| Full name | Ogg Vorbis |
|---|---|
| Extensions | .ogg, .oga |
| Media type | audio/ogg |
| Compression | Lossy |
| Transparency | — |
| Animation | — |
| Multiple pages | — |
| Colour depth | — |
| Size limits | — |
| Introduced | 2000 |
| Developed by | Xiph.Org Foundation |
| Standard | Open |
| Browser support | All current browsers |
What OGG is used for
- Game audio, where it has been a default for years
- Open source projects and free-culture archives
- Web audio where Safari is not the only target
- Streaming radio, where bandwidth is limited
Strengths and limitations
What OGG does well
- Patent free and open, with no licensing to worry about
- Better quality than MP3 at the same file size
- Handles surround sound and detailed track information
Where OGG falls short
- Apple devices and many car stereos will not play it
- Superseded by Opus for most new work
- Less consistent support in consumer devices
Convert OGG to
Every target this format can be written out as, each on its own page.
Convert to OGG
Everything that can be turned into a OGG file.
Tools that accept OGG
Questions about OGG
What is a .ogg file?
OGG is a free audio format that sounds better than MP3 at the same file size, and the gap widens as files get smaller. The extension .ogg or .oga identifies it, and its media type is audio/ogg.
How do I open an OGG file?
Any current browser will open it directly, so dragging the file into a tab is usually enough. Most operating systems also preview it without extra software.
Is OGG lossy or lossless?
Lossy. That means detail is discarded during encoding and each re-save compounds the loss, so keep an untouched master where quality matters.
What is OGG good for?
Patent free and open, with no licensing to worry about. Better quality than MP3 at the same file size. Handles surround sound and detailed track information. In practice that makes it a good fit for game audio, where it has been a default for years, and Open source projects and free-culture archives.
What are the drawbacks of OGG?
Apple devices and many car stereos will not play it. Superseded by Opus for most new work. Less consistent support in consumer devices.