Windows
Compatible applications
Quick Facts
Basic information about this file format
Extension
.PLS
File Type
PLS Playlist File
Category
Audio
Best first step
Use compatible software
Quick Summary
A practical overview of the .pls file format
A PLS (Playlist) file is a plain text file format used to store a list of audio or video files for playback in media players. It's a simple and widely supported format, making it compatible with a large variety of software and devices. The file contains a series of entries, each specifying the loca…
File extension
.PLS
File type
PLS Playlist File
Category
Audio
Recommended action
Open with a trusted compatible app
How to open a .pls file
Start with a trusted app that supports this format
- Check the file extension carefully and confirm that the file name really ends with .pls.
- Use software that supports this file type. If one app does not work, try another compatible program for the same platform.
- Update the application if the file was created by a newer version of the software.
- Scan files from unknown sources before opening them, especially documents, archives, scripts, installers, and executable files.
What is a .pls file?
File extension details and usage information
A PLS (Playlist) file is a plain text file format used to store a list of audio or video files for playback in media players. It's a simple and widely supported format, making it compatible with a large variety of software and devices. The file contains a series of entries, each specifying the location of a media file, along with optional metadata such as the title and length of the track. PLS files are often used for internet radio streams, allowing users to easily access and play a continuous stream of audio content. The format is human-readable, making it easy to edit and customize. While more advanced playlist formats exist, PLS remains a popular choice due to its simplicity and broad compatibility. It's a lightweight solution for organizing and playing media files in a sequential order. The file typically contains the file path or URL of each media file, allowing the player to locate and play the content. The PLS format is a legacy format, but it is still widely supported by many media players.
Software Compatibility
Programs that may open or work with .pls files
macOS
Compatible applications
Linux
Compatible applications
Mobile
Mobile applications
Can .pls files be converted?
Options for saving or exporting this file to another format
In many cases, a .pls file can be converted by opening it in compatible software and using an option such as Save As, Export, or Convert. The available output formats depend on the file type and the application used.
- Use the original software that created the file when possible.
- Check whether the application supports exporting to common formats.
- Be careful with online converters when working with private, business, or sensitive files.
- If conversion fails, the file may be corrupted, incomplete, encrypted, or not actually a .pls file.
Why can't I open a .pls file?
Common reasons this file type may not open correctly
Wrong software
The file may require a specific program that supports the .pls format.
Incorrect extension
The file extension may have been renamed manually, even though the actual file format is different.
Corrupted file
The file may be incomplete, damaged during download, or transferred incorrectly.
Outdated app
Your software may need to be updated before it can open newer versions of this file format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about .pls files
To open a .pls file, use software that supports this file format.
- VLC Media Player
- Winamp
- foobar2000
- Windows Media Player
- iTunes (Apple Music)
Open the file in compatible software and look for options such as Save As, Export, or Convert. If no export option is available, the file may require a specialized converter or the original application that created it.
- Verify that the file extension is correct.
- Install or update compatible software.
- Try another application that supports this format.
- Check whether the file is corrupted, incomplete, or encrypted.
A file extension alone does not guarantee whether a file is safe or unsafe. Only open files from trusted sources, scan unknown files before opening them, and be especially careful with executable, script, archive, and document files.
File safety tips
Use caution with unknown files
Only open files from trusted sources. Before opening a .pls file, scan it with antivirus software, verify that the file extension is expected, and avoid running unknown executable, installer, macro-enabled document, or script files.