What is the VLC file format?
A .vlc file is a VLC Media Player playlist - a plain-text list of media file paths or streaming URLs that VLC opens and plays in sequence. Despite its dedicated extension, it is not a distinct format: a .vlc file is an M3U or PLS playlist file that has simply been renamed with the .vlc extension so the operating system associates it with VLC media player.
The file content is identical to a standard .m3u file (beginning with #EXTM3U) or a .pls file (beginning with [playlist]), including optional #EXTINF lines that carry track duration and title metadata. Renaming a .vlc file to .m3u or .pls makes it immediately openable in any media player that supports those formats.
.vlc playlists are produced by VLC when a user saves the current playlist to disk. They work across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS wherever VLC is installed. For new playlists, VideoLAN recommends XSPF (XML Shareable Playlist Format) as the preferred modern alternative, since XSPF is an open standard that supports richer metadata and is natively supported by VLC.
Any text editor can open and edit a .vlc file directly to add, remove, or reorder entries.
Security & safety
RISK: LOW.vlc files are plain text; no execution risk. However, playlists can contain URLs pointing to remote streams - always verify URLs before streaming from an untrusted .vlc file to avoid being directed to malicious content.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open VLC files
Windows3 apps
VLC media player
Open-source Double-click the .vlc file (VLC must be set as default) or drag it into VLC's playlist window. 
macOS1 app
Linux1 app
Android1 app
VLC for Android
Open-source Open Files app, tap the .vlc file; VLC for Android opens it as a playlist. Technical details
deep spec| File encoding | Plain text (UTF-8 or ASCII) |
| Internal format | Identical to M3U (`#EXTM3U` header) or PLS (`[playlist]` header) - content is indistinguishable from those formats |
| Typical file size | 1 KB - 100 KB |
| Metadata support | `#EXTINF` lines carry track duration (seconds) and display title (M3U variant) |
| Content | Ordered list of absolute or relative file paths and/or network stream URLs (HTTP, RTSP, MMS, etc.) |
| Format distinction | Extension-only: renaming to `.m3u` or `.pls` makes the file openable in any compatible media player |
| Preferred successor | XSPF (XML Shareable Playlist Format) - VideoLAN's recommended open standard with richer metadata support |
| Platform | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS (wherever VLC is installed) |
| Created by | VLC's Save Playlist to File function; also producible by any text editor |
| Stream URL support | Yes - both local file paths and network stream URLs are valid playlist entries |
| Released | early 2000s (VLC 0.x era) |
| Specification | wiki.videolan.org |
VLC conversions
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about VLC files.
