HTML Audio

12-30-24

The HTML <audio> element is used to play an audio file on a web page.

The HTML <audio> Element

To play an audio file in HTML, use the <audio> element:

HTML Audio - How It Works

The contols attribute adds audio controls, like play, pause, and volume.

The <source> element allows you to specify alternative audio files which the browser may choose from. The browser will use the first recognized format.

The text between the <audio> and </audio> tags will only be displayed in browsers that do not support the <audio> element.

HTML <audio> Autoplay

To start an audio file automatically, use the autoplay attribute:

Note: Chromium browswers do not allow autoplay in most cases. However, muted autoplay is always allowed.

Add muted after autoplay to let your audio file start playing automatically (but muted):

HTML Audio Formats

There are three supported audio formats: MP3, WAV, and OGG. The browser support for the different formats is:

BrowserMP3WAVOGG
Edge/IEYESYES*YES*
ChromeYESYESYES
FirefoxYESYESYES
SafariYESYESNO
OperaYesYESYES

HTML Audio - Media Types

File FormatMedia Type
MP3audio/mpeg
OGGaudio/ogg
WAVaudio/wav

HTML Audio - Methods, Properties, and Events

The HTML DOM defines methods, properties, and events for the <audio> element.

This allows you to load, play, and pause audios, as well as set duration and volume.

There are also DOM events that can notify you when an audio begins to play, is paused, ect.