| Format | MPEG Audio Layer III (MP3) |
| Extension | .mp3 |
| MIME Type | audio/mpeg |
| Compression | Lossy audio compression |
| Bitrate | Variable (typically 32-320 kbps) |
| Sampling Rate | 44.1 kHz (CD quality) |
| Channels | Mono, Stereo, Joint Stereo |
| File Size | Varies based on bitrate and length |
| Compatibility | Widely supported across devices and platforms |
| Licensing | Fraunhofer Society held the initial patent. (patent expired in 2017) |
| Popular Software | iTunes, Windows Media Player, VLC, Winamp, Foobar |
| Notable Features | Good balance between file size and audio quality. ID3 tags for metadata. Can be streamed and downloaded easily |
| Advantages | Efficient compression, widespread compatibility |
| Challenges | Quality loss compared to uncompressed formats. Audio artifacts at low bitrates. Patent-related issues in the past |