What is a .pls file?
PLS Playlist · Audio · Nullsoft (Winamp) · 1996
A .pls file is a playlist, like M3U but in an INI-style format. It usually begins with [playlist] and lists each entry's file or stream URL, title and length. It is common for internet radio stations.
What is a .pls file used for?
PLS uses numbered keys (File1, Title1, Length1) under a [playlist] header, which lets it carry a bit more metadata than a basic M3U. Internet radio directories often hand out .pls files to launch a stream.
Media players like VLC and Winamp open PLS. Like any playlist, it only references media, so the tracks must still be reachable.
How to open a .pls file
The .pls format opens in the following apps, grouped by operating system. If one app does not work, try another from the same list. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to open a .pls file.
Windows
- VLC
- Winamp
- foobar2000
macOS
- VLC
- Music (iTunes)
Linux
- VLC
- Rhythmbox
- any text editor
How to convert a .pls file
You can convert a .pls file to m3u, xspf using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.
.pls file signature (magic bytes)
Programs recognise a .pls file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for PLS.
| Hex signature | Offset | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 5B 70 6C 61 79 6C 69 73 74 5D | 0 | '[playlist]' (usually) |
See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .pls file?
A .pls file is a playlist, like M3U but in an INI-style format. It usually begins with [playlist] and lists each entry's file or stream URL, title and length. It is common for internet radio stations.
How do I open a .pls file?
Open it in a media player like VLC or Winamp, which loads the listed tracks or radio stream. A text editor shows the entries.
What is the difference between PLS and M3U?
Both are playlists. M3U is a simple line list; PLS uses an INI-style [playlist] structure with numbered keys and is common for internet radio.
Why does a radio station give me a .pls file?
The .pls holds the stream URL and station details. Opening it in a media player starts the live stream.
Related formats
Sources
Details on this page were checked against authoritative references: