

Since M3U files don't contain any media file, but only the reference to the file paths, that means you can't convert them to MP3, MP4, or any other playable format.īut, you can convert a text file to M3U.The regular TXT into M3U can be done by using Notepad, and you can open an M3U file with Notepad to save it as TXT. You may want to do something about them, like opening those M3U files or converting them, or make one your own. However, you might get curious about the M3U files you have right now. When you open it, it only streams or plays the media that already exist separately from the M3U files.Īn M3U file consists of multiple file paths that are used to reference which media to play.Those media can be from your PC/phone or even online to stream on your device, which is IPTV industry uses.Īn M3U file allows you to queue songs, like on the Spotify app.The text-based file allows you to freely add/remove media to play without help from a third-party app. M3U files are simply playlists in the form of text. M3U files can't be played the way MP4 or MP3 files are played. You probably came here to not just know what this file format is, but also how it relates to the media file formats like MP3, MP4, MOV, BUP, etc.Yes, they do relate to M3U files, but M3U files aren't something playable. The plain text files cannot function and create playlists unless the locations of the audio or video is accurately copied or expressed in the file.There are countless file formats out there, and M3U is probably one of the formats most users barely know since it's not widely used.Here's what M3U files are and how to play or open one on Windows 10, Android, and iPhone. When created or edited, the file must be saved in the Windows-1252 format (a superset of ASCII).

M3U files are often used for single-entry playlist file pointing used for streaming of internet audio or video. The absolute local pathname (C:\My Music\Song Title), local pathname of the file (songtitle.mp3), or a website url cintained in the file specifies where the file can be found for playback. Sending files with the M3U extension is difficult and useless unless streaming is involved, since the file needs to be able to access the files related to the audio or video.ĭespite the association with audio and video, M3U files are plain text files that specify the location of various media files contained in the playlist. Mobile devices do not create the files however, but can access them especially for the use of listening to online radio stations.

Both Windows and Mac OS’s can use these files along with many mobile devices. With an original intent for audio files, it can now support video playlists or point a media player to online streaming audio, leading to a large number of players and software utilizing the M3U file extension.
