What is a .xspf file? (XSPF)

An .xspf file (pronounced spiff) is an open, XML-based playlist format. It aims to be a portable, application-neutral way to share playlists, carrying richer metadata than M3U or PLS.

What is a .xspf file used for?

XSPF stores each track as XML with a location, title, creator and more, so it survives moving between players better than simpler formats. VLC uses it as a default playlist format.

It is plain XML, so it opens in any editor. Most modern media players read and write XSPF.

How to open a .xspf file

The .xspf 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 .xspf file.

Windows

VLC
foobar2000
any text editor

macOS

VLC
any text editor

Linux

VLC
Clementine
any text editor

How to convert a .xspf file

You can convert a .xspf file to m3u, pls using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.

.xspf file signature (magic bytes)

Programs recognise a .xspf file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for XSPF.

Hex signature	Offset	Note
3C 3F 78 6D 6C	0	'<?xml' (XSPF is XML)

See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.

Frequently asked questions

What is a .xspf file?

An .xspf file (pronounced spiff) is an open, XML-based playlist format. It aims to be a portable, application-neutral way to share playlists, carrying richer metadata than M3U or PLS.

How do I open an .xspf file?

Open it in VLC, which uses XSPF natively, or read the XML in a text editor. Most media players support it.

Why use XSPF over M3U?

XSPF is XML with richer, structured metadata and is application-neutral, so playlists move between players more reliably than a bare M3U.

How do you pronounce XSPF?

The spec calls it spiff. It stands for XML Shareable Playlist Format.

Related formats

Sources

Details on this page were checked against authoritative references:

XSPF specification