M4A

MPEG-4 Audio

M4A is a file extension for audio-only MPEG-4 files. It is a widely used audio compression and storage format, known for its high-quality sound and relatively small file sizes. M4A files are commonly used to store audio content, such as music tracks, podcasts, and audiobooks.

M4A is part of the MPEG-4 multimedia standard developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). M4A files can contain audio encoded with various codecs, such as Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) and Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC).

M4A files are especially popular within the Apple ecosystem, as they are the default format for audio files purchased from the iTunes Store and used in Apple’s devices and software. However, M4A files can also be played on other media players and devices that support the MPEG-4 audio format.

• Abbreviation: M4A