Format at a glance
- Full name
- Ogg Multimedia Container
- File extensions
- .oga, .ogg
- MIME types
- audio/ogg
- Category
- Audio
- Compression
- Depends on the contained codec
- Transparency
- Not applicable
- Animation
- Not applicable
- Properties
Suitable tools
What is this format?
The Ogg container divides data into pages and can synchronize one or more logical bitstreams. Codec identifiers in the content determine how audio or video is decoded.
Vorbis was the traditional audio use. Opus is more modern for speech, music and low latency, but is commonly stored with the separate .opus extension.
What is it used for?
- Open music and game assets
- Audio in web and Linux environments
- Vorbis or Opus streaming
- Speech and multimedia without a proprietary container
Which programs can open it?
- VLC and mpv
- foobar2000 and Audacious
- Audacity and FFmpeg
- Current browsers with a supported codec
Support across devices and browsers
OGG opens in VLC, suitable system codecs and many audio applications.
QuickTime, music applications and VLC support OGG depending on the contained codec.
VLC, mpv, FFmpeg and common audio players handle OGG.
Playback depends on the device, Android version and contained codec.
Apple applications support common combinations; other variants need a compatible app.
Direct playback depends on browser and codec; LocalFileLab can additionally use FFmpeg/WebAssembly.
Advantages
- Open and extensible container
- Suitable for Vorbis and Opus
- Good support in open-source software and browsers
Disadvantages
- The extension does not identify the codec
- Less universal on older consumer hardware than MP3
- Some software expects Opus under .opus rather than .ogg
Comparison with alternatives
MP3 is older and more universal, while OGG can carry modern open codecs.
Opus is a codec; .opus normally means Opus audio inside an Ogg container.
FLAC is lossless; typical Vorbis- or Opus-based OGG files are lossy.
LocalFileLab support
OGG is recognized as an input. Audio is read through browser features or FFmpeg/WebAssembly depending on the codec.
OGG is available as a local output; available settings depend on the format.
LocalFileLab can compress OGG locally or package it in a supported archive; already compressed content will not necessarily become smaller.
A local preview is available when the browser can display or play the content.
Existing metadata can be retained or removed depending on the selected path.
Container and codecs
The LocalFileLab statements below come from the FFmpeg/WASM and WebCodecs paths actually configured in the repository. Decoders or tracks not explicitly evidenced in code are marked unverified.
- Container
- Ogg Container
- Typical video codecs
- Theora
- Typical audio codecs
- Vorbis, Opus, FLAC
| Codec | Type | Input | Output | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theora | Video | Unverified | Not supported | The project does not enumerate the FFmpeg/WASM input decoder per codec. This codec is not offered as an output for this container. |
| Vorbis | Audio | Unverified | Supported | The project does not enumerate the FFmpeg/WASM input decoder per codec. A concrete FFmpeg/WASM encoder is configured in the repository. |
| Opus | Audio | Unverified | Supported | The project does not enumerate the FFmpeg/WASM input decoder per codec. A concrete FFmpeg/WASM encoder is configured in the repository. |
| FLAC | Audio | Unverified | Not supported | The project does not enumerate the FFmpeg/WASM input decoder per codec. This codec is not offered as an output for this container. |
Tracks and metadata
- Subtitle tracks
- Unverified
- Multiple audio tracks
- Not supported
- Chapters
- Unverified
- Metadata
- Configurable
Known combinations
Related formats
Frequently asked questions
Is OGG the same as Vorbis?
No. OGG is the container and Vorbis is one possible audio codec inside it.
Can OGG contain video?
Yes, for example Theora video. LocalFileLab treats .ogg primarily as audio; video commonly uses OGV.
Why does an OGG file fail to play?
The player may support the container but not the codec or profile actually stored inside.