---
title: ".opus file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .opus file is an Opus Audio. The modern low-latency codec behind WhatsApp voice notes, Discord and web calls. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/opus/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .opus files

**.opus file: Opus Audio**

The modern low-latency codec behind WhatsApp voice notes, Discord and web calls.

## What opens a .opus file

- **Windows:** VLC, foobar2000, Audacity
- **macOS:** VLC, IINA
- **Linux:** VLC, Rhythmbox / Music (built in), mpv
- **In a browser:** Any web browser

## What a .opus file is

Opus is an IETF standard (RFC 6716) from Xiph.Org, Skype and Mozilla that beats every older codec at low bitrates and switches seamlessly between speech and music. It is what WhatsApp voice messages, Discord, Zoom and WebRTC use, so people usually meet it as an exported voice note. Files are Ogg-encapsulated; VLC plays them anywhere, while some legacy players and car stereos still do not recognise the extension.

## Converting it

A .opus file is commonly converted to .mp3, .wav, .ogg, .m4a or .flac. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .opus
- **Full name:** Opus Audio
- **Category:** Audio
- **MIME type:** audio/ogg
- **Created by:** Xiph.Org / IETF (RFC 6716)
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .opus file?

On Windows use VLC; on macOS use VLC; on Linux use VLC. The modern low-latency codec behind WhatsApp voice notes, Discord and web calls.

### What is a .opus file?

Opus Audio. Opus is an IETF standard (RFC 6716) from Xiph.Org, Skype and Mozilla that beats every older codec at low bitrates and switches seamlessly between speech and music. It is what WhatsApp voice messages, Discord, Zoom and WebRTC use, so people usually meet it as an exported voice note.

### Can I convert a .opus file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .mp3, .wav, .ogg, .m4a or .flac, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.mp3 — MPEG-1 Audio Layer III](https://atoneplace.net/file/mp3/)
- [.wav — Waveform Audio File](https://atoneplace.net/file/wav/)
- [.m4a — MPEG-4 Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/m4a/)
- [.flac — Free Lossless Audio Codec](https://atoneplace.net/file/flac/)
- [.aac — Advanced Audio Coding](https://atoneplace.net/file/aac/)
- [.ogg — Ogg Vorbis Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/ogg/)
- [.mid — MIDI Sequence](https://atoneplace.net/file/mid/)
- [.m3u — Media Playlist](https://atoneplace.net/file/m3u/)
- [.wma — Windows Media Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/wma/)
- [.aiff — Audio Interchange File Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/aiff/)
- [.m4b — MPEG-4 Audiobook](https://atoneplace.net/file/m4b/)
- [.amr — Adaptive Multi-Rate Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/amr/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)