OGG file format
Ogg Vorbis
OGG files usually contain Vorbis audio, an open, patent-free alternative to MP3 with better quality at the same size. Games and Android use it widely; Apple support is limited.
| Property | OGG |
|---|---|
| File extensions | .ogg, .oga |
| MIME type | audio/ogg |
| Introduced | 2002 by Xiph.Org Foundation |
| Compression | Lossy (Vorbis) |
| Typical bitrate | 96–320 kbps |
| 3-minute song | ≈ 3.6 MB at 160 kbps |
| Tags and cover art | Yes (Vorbis comments) |
| Compatibility | Android, Chrome, Firefox, games; limited on Apple |
| Best for | Games, open-source projects, web audio |
What is an OGG file?
Ogg is an open container from the Xiph.Org Foundation; Vorbis, the audio codec most .ogg files use, reached version 1.0 in 2002. Vorbis was created as a free, unpatented alternative to MP3 and sounds better at the same bitrate.
Strengths and weaknesses
OGG is royalty-free, efficient and used by countless games and open-source apps. iPhones, older Safari versions, many car stereos and some editors can't play it.
When should you use OGG?
Use OGG for games and web projects. Convert to MP3 or M4A to share with people on Apple devices.