Understanding M3U Files
M3U (MP3 URL or Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 3 Uniform Resource Locator) is a computer file format for a multimedia playlist. Originally designed for audio files, M3U is now commonly used for IPTV playlists containing TV channels and video streams.
File Extensions
- .m3u - Standard M3U file (may have encoding issues with special characters)
- .m3u8 - UTF-8 encoded M3U file (recommended for international characters)
M3U File Structure
Basic Structure
#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:-1,Channel Name
http://stream-url.com/streamExtended Structure (IPTV)
#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="channel_id" tvg-name="Channel Name" tvg-logo="http://logo-url.com/logo.png" group-title="Category Name",Display Name
http://server.com:port/username/password/stream_id| Attribute | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
#EXTM3U |
Header - must be the first line | #EXTM3U |
#EXTINF:-1 |
Extended info tag (-1 = unknown duration) | #EXTINF:-1 |
tvg-id |
Unique ID for EPG (Electronic Program Guide) | tvg-id="bbc1.uk" |
tvg-name |
Channel name for display | tvg-name="BBC One" |
tvg-logo |
URL to channel logo image | tvg-logo="http://..." |
group-title |
Category/group for organizing channels | group-title="UK Channels" |
Common Use Cases
IPTV Streaming
Load M3U playlists in IPTV apps like VLC, Perfect Player, SIPTV, TiviMate, etc.
Audio Playlists
Create playlists of audio files for media players.
Radio Streaming
Organize internet radio stations in a single playlist.
VOD Libraries
Video on Demand content can also be organized in M3U format.
Compatible Players
VLC
SIPTV
TiviMate
Kodi
GSE Smart
OTT Nav
Optimization Tips
- Remove unused channels: Smaller playlists load faster in IPTV apps.
- Organize by groups: Use meaningful group-title values for easy navigation.
- Use UTF-8 encoding: Save as .m3u8 for proper special character support.
- Keep logos small: Large logo images can slow down playlist loading.
- Test streams: Remove dead/broken streams to improve user experience.