lookup> .aac

.AAC·File Extension

AAC AudioAdvanced Audio Coding lossy format, common in MP4.

Extension.aac
File typeAAC Audio
MIME typeaudio/aac
CategoryAudio
Charset
Compressible
Format familyaac

What is a .aac file?

A .aac file is a AAC Audio — Advanced Audio Coding lossy format, common in MP4.

In the mime-db registry it maps to audio/aac. When serving .aac over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.

Related entities: it maps to audio/aac — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.

  • Use VLC or iTunes to open and edit .aac files.
  • Any text editor (Notepad, VS Code) can inspect the raw content as text.

When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:

Content-Type: audio/aac

Common software that reads/writes .aac:

VLCiTunesQuickTime
.aacextension of
format
aacserved as
mime type
audio/aacsent via header
http header
  • Music and podcasts
  • Sound effects
  • Voice recordings
  • Open the file with VLC, make your changes and save.
  • Most editors preserve the original formatting and encoding — avoid changing the charset.
  • Create a new file and save it with the .aac extension, or export this format from VLC.

What programs can open .aac files?

Common options include VLC, iTunes, QuickTime. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.

How do I create a .aac file?

Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .aac extension.

What is the relationship between .aac and the audio/aac MIME type?

audio/aac is the media type identifier used for .aac files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).

Updated 2026-08-18

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