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Before HTML5, audio files could only be played in a browser with a plug-in (like flash).

The HTML5 <audio> element specifies a standard way to embed audio in a web page.

The HTML <audio> Element

To play an audio file in HTML, use the <audio> element:

<audio controls>
  <source src="ringtone-1.mp3" type="audio/mpeg"> 
Your browser does not support the audio element.
</audio>

Live Preview

<audio controls> 
  <source src="ringtone-2.mp3" type="audio/mpeg"> 
Your browser does not support the audio element.
</audio>

Live Preview

<audio controls> 
  <source src="ringtone-3.mp3" type="audio/mpeg"> 
Your browser does not support the audio element.
</audio>

Live Preview

HTML Audio - How It Works

The controls attribute adds audio controls, like play, pause, and volume.

The <source> element allows you to specify alternative audio files which the browser may choose from. The browser will use the first recognized format.

The text between the <audio> and </audio> tags will only be displayed in browsers that do not support the <audio> element.

HTML Audio - Browser Support

In HTML5, there are 3 supported audio formats: MP3, WAV, and OGG.

The browser support for the different formats is: 

Browser	MP3	WAV	OGG
Internet Explorer	YES	NO	NO
Chrome	YES	YES	YES
Firefox	YES	YES	YES
Safari	YES	YES	NO
Opera	YES	YES	YES

HTML Audio - Media Types

File Format	Media Type
MP3	audio/mpeg
OGG	audio/ogg
WAV	audio/wav

HTML Audio - Methods, Properties, and Events

HTML5 defines DOM methods, properties, and events for the <audio> element.

This allows you to load, play, and pause audios, as well as set duration and volume.

There are also DOM events that can notify you when an audio begins to play, is paused, etc.

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