What is .ogg?
An .ogg file is an audio file that uses the Ogg container format, typically compressed with the Vorbis audio codec. It is a free, open-source alternative to proprietary formats like MP3 and AAC.
This quick guide explains when to use .ogg files, how to open them on any device, and how to share them instantly with FileXhost.
When to use .ogg files
- You want a high-quality, patent-free audio format for your application.
- You are embedding audio in a website using the HTML5 `<audio>` tag.
- You are a game developer needing efficient audio assets.
How to open .ogg files
Ogg files are supported by most modern media players (VLC, Windows Media Player, etc.) and web browsers. They can be edited in free tools like Audacity.
Algorithm details
Vorbis uses modified discrete cosine transform (MDCT) based compression, similar to MP3/AAC but often achieving better quality at the same bitrate.
Browser & platform support
- Direct: Natively supported by Firefox, Chrome, and Opera.
- Partial: Safari support is limited (often requires specific codecs or wrappers).
Format comparison
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| License | Completely open and patent-free, unlike MP3 (historically) and AAC. |
| Quality | Generally considered superior to MP3 at similar bitrates. |
| Compatibility | Less universal hardware support (e.g., in cars, older players) compared to MP3. |
How to create ogg files
- Audacity: Export audio as Ogg Vorbis.
- FFmpeg: Convert via command line (`ffmpeg -i input.wav output.ogg`).
How to convert ogg files
- To MP3: For maximum compatibility with legacy devices.
- FileXhost: Upload to share or play in the browser.
Advantages & disadvantages
Advantages
- Free and open source (no licensing fees)
- High audio quality per bit
- Native HTML5 support in many browsers
Disadvantages
- Not supported by all browsers (older Safari)
- Less hardware support than MP3
Tools & software
Players
VLC Media Player, Foobar2000, Windows Media Player
Editors
Audacity, Adobe Audition
Browsers
Firefox, Chrome, Edge
Frequently asked questions
Is Ogg better than MP3?
Technically, yes. Vorbis (the codec inside Ogg) usually provides better sound quality at the same file size. However, MP3 is more widely supported.
Can iPhone play Ogg files?
Not natively in the Music app. You need a third-party player like VLC, or convert them to MP3/AAC.
What is Ogg Vorbis?
Ogg is the container (the file shell), and Vorbis is the compression method (the audio coding). They are almost always used together.
Technical specs
- File type
- Audio
- Extension
- .ogg
- MIME type
- audio/ogg, application/ogg
- Compression
- Uncompressed
- Max file size on FileXhost
- Similar to MP3, typically 3-10 MB for a song. Up to 25 MB per file on free plans.
Share .ogg files instantly
Upload your .ogg file to FileXhost to get a clean, shareable URL in seconds. View the file in a modern browser, protect access with optional settings, and let others download it without any confusing ads or cluttered file pages.
Upload .ogg file