What does EP stand for in music? It stands for extended play, a release with more tracks than a single but fewer than a full length LP. A typical EP holds about four to six tracks and runs well under half an hour.
Artists use the format for many reasons. A new act may put out an EP to introduce its sound without the cost of a full record. An established act may use one to share a few extra tracks between major releases, or to try out a different style.
Quick facts
Stands for
Extended playType
Initialism, said E PTypical length
About 4 to 6 tracks, under 30 minutesSits between
A single and an LPPlural
EPsStarted
Vinyl 45 rpm records of the 1950sOther meanings
Episode (Ep.), European Parliament, emergency physicianRelated terms
What does EP stand for in music? The two words explained
E is for extended and P is for play. The name made sense in the vinyl era. A standard 7 inch single held one track per side. An extended play disc, the same size and speed, squeezed two tracks or more onto each side, so it played longer than a single.
The name sits beside LP, short for long play, the larger disc that holds a full record. The three formats line up by length:
| Format | Usual track count | Usual running time |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 1 to 3 | Under about 10 minutes |
| EP | About 4 to 6 | About 15 to 30 minutes |
| LP | 7 or more | Over about 30 minutes |
These are typical ranges, not strict laws. Charts and digital stores set their own cut off points, so the same release can be filed slightly differently from place to place.
Why artists release EPs
- Lower cost: recording, mixing and promoting five tracks takes less money and time than twelve.
- A first impression: a debut EP gives listeners, venues and radio hosts a short sample of a new act.
- Staying in view: fans get new music between full records.
- Trying something new: an acoustic set, a remix set or a holiday theme fits well in a short release.
- Live sets: a few tracks recorded at a show often come out as a live EP.
A band's post: "Our new EP drops Friday: five tracks we wrote on the road." Fans read this as a short release, not a full album, with five new pieces of music.
How to say and write EP
Say each letter: "E P." Short forms read out one letter at a time are called initialisms, and acronym vs abbreviation sets out how they differ from acronyms.
Use two capital letters and no periods. For more than one, add a small s: EPs, never EP's. The spoken letter E opens with a vowel, which is why it takes an: "an EP," not "a EP." You may also see "extended play" spelled out on older record sleeves and in liner notes.
EP in sentences
- "The duo put out two EPs before signing with a label."
- "Is this an EP or a full LP? It only has six tracks."
- "Her debut EP was recorded in a week."
- "The deluxe edition adds a bonus EP of live tracks."
- "We are pressing the EP on vinyl for the tour."
Other things EP stands for
Outside music, the same two letters show up in many fields. The setting is your best clue.
| Field | EP stands for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Podcasts and TV | Episode (often Ep.) | "Ep. 12: Our first guest" |
| Film and TV credits | Executive producer | "She served as EP on the series" |
| Politics in Europe | European Parliament | "Members of the EP voted on the bill" |
| Medicine | Emergency physician or electrophysiology | "The EP study checks the heart's electrical signals" |
On a music site, a store listing or a band's page, EP almost always means extended play. For more letters you meet daily, see the famous acronyms list.
EP vs mixtape and other look alikes
A mixtape is not a set length. It is a loose label for an informal collection, sometimes long, sometimes short. A single is one main track, often with one or two extras. An LP is the full length record, and many people simply call it an album. If you are unsure what to call a release, count the tracks and check the running time. Music fans who also follow beats and tempos may like the BPM page.
Questions people ask
What does EP mean on a music app?
It labels a short release, usually four to six tracks. The app is telling you it is longer than a single but not a full record.
How many songs are on an EP?
Most have about four to six tracks. Some have three or seven, and the rules used by charts and stores vary.
Is an EP the same as an album?
Not quite. An EP is shorter than a full length record, which is often called an LP or an album. Some people loosely call any release an album.
What is the difference between EP and LP?
EP means extended play and LP means long play. An LP is the full length release, while an EP is a shorter set of tracks.
What does EP stand for in a podcast title?
In podcast and TV titles, Ep. is short for episode, as in "Ep. 4." It has nothing to do with the music format.