Audio format
What is a OPUS file?
Opus is a modern, royalty-free codec built for both music and speech, widely used in video calls and voice messaging.
Opus was developed by the IETF and the Xiph.Org Foundation to unify what used to be two separate problems — speech codecs and music codecs — into a single format that performs well at both, with very low latency. That low latency and strong quality at low bitrates is exactly why it's become the default codec behind most modern video and voice calling: WhatsApp, Discord, Google Meet, and many others all rely on it under the hood, even when users never see the format name at all.
How to open a OPUS file
OPUS files open readily in VLC Media Player, Most modern browsers and media players. For real editing rather than just viewing, reach for Audacity (with recent versions).
Strengths & limitations
Good for
- excellent quality at low bitrates
- low latency, ideal for real-time audio
Watch out for
- less common as a general music-library format
Convert OPUS files
Orbfile can convert OPUS both ways, entirely in your browser — pick a direction below:
Frequently asked questions
What does a OPUS file contain?+
Opus is a modern, royalty-free codec built for both music and speech, widely used in video calls and voice messaging.
Can I convert OPUS for free?+
Yes — Orbfile's audio converter handles OPUS for free, with no file limit, watermark, or account, and it runs entirely in your browser.
Is converting a OPUS file safe and private?+
Yes. Orbfile processes OPUS files locally on your device using WebAssembly — nothing is uploaded to a server, so there's nothing to leak or store.
Who created the OPUS format?+
OPUS was developed by Xiph.Org Foundation / IETF, first released around 2012.
Browse the full file format guide.