Audio format
What is a .ogg file?
OGG is an open, royalty-free container from Xiph.Org, usually holding Vorbis or Opus audio. It’s common in games and open-source software.
Modern browsers and Android play it. Support on Apple devices and in car stereos is less reliable than for MP3.
fileclay opens and writes OGG
OGG vs MP3 vs AAC
| OGG | MP3 | AAC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing | Royalty-free | Patents expired | Patent-licensed |
| Metadata | Vorbis comments | ID3 tags | MP4 tags |
| Playback | Browsers, Android, PC | Everywhere | Almost everywhere |
| Best for | Games, open-source apps | Sharing, podcasts | Apple devices, streaming |
When to use OGG
Good for
- Sound effects and music in games
- Open-source projects
- Audio on the web
Not a good fit
- Car stereos and older players
- Sending to people who may not be able to play it
- Master copies, when it’s lossy
How to open .ogg files
| Platform | App | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Media Player | Current versions |
| Android | Most music apps | Built in |
| Browsers | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari | Current versions |
| Any system | VLC | Free |
| Editors | Audacity | Opens and exports |
Convert OGG files
From OGG
All 18 output formats: .mp3, .wav, .m4a, .aac, .flac, .opus, .oga, .m4b, .aiff, .aif, .wma, .ac3, .mka, .caf, .au, .tta, .wv, .mp2
Conversions run in your browser. Files aren’t uploaded.
How to identify a .ogg file
Every OGG starts with the four letters “OggS”, which also mark each page of data inside.
It’s read here, in your browser. Only the first bytes.
Your file
What comes after
Questions about OGG
Is OGG better than MP3?
Vorbis usually sounds better at the same bitrate. MP3 plays in more places.
Is OGG lossless?
Usually not: Vorbis and Opus are lossy. An OGG can hold FLAC, though that is rare.
Does iPhone play OGG?
Support depends on the app and iOS version. VLC plays it.
What is the difference between OGG and Opus?
OGG is the container and Opus a codec it can carry.