Can I use CD-RW discs for an audio CD in my car?

CD-RW discs are less widely compatible with older players. Many car stereos and hi-fis cannot read CD-RW discs. For best results, use CD-R discs for audio CDs.

Does burning an MP3 to an audio CD make the sound quality better?

No. Audio CDs store 16-bit, 44.1 kHz PCM audio. Burning MP3s to audio CD does not improve their quality; it only converts them to a format that plays in standard CD players.

How many songs can I fit on an MP3 data CD?

At a bitrate of 192 kbps, an MP3 data CD holds roughly 8 hours of music, which is about 120 songs at 4 minutes each. The exact number depends on the bitrate and file size of your MP3s.

Why does my car stereo not play the MP3 CD I burned?

Your car stereo may not support MP3 discs. Check the manual to see if it lists MP3 CD or MP3 data disc compatibility. If it does not, you need to burn an audio CD instead.

How to Burn Your Converted MP3s to an Audio CD or MP3 CD

You converted a library of old WMA files to MP3. Now you want them playing through a CD car stereo or a hi-fi that predates Bluetooth. You need to burn them to disc, and you need to pick the right kind of disc. Choose an audio CD for maximum compatibility. Choose an MP3 data CD when your player supports it and you want hours of music on a single disc. Both methods are laid out step by step below, using Windows Media Player and Apple Music.

Audio CD vs MP3 CD What is the Difference?

When you burn MP3 files to a disc, you pick either an audio CD or an MP3 data CD. An audio CD stores music as standard 16-bit, 44.1 kHz PCM audio. This format plays in almost any CD player, including older car stereos and home hi-fis. An MP3 data CD stores the actual MP3 files on the disc, like a USB drive. It plays only in players that specifically support MP3 discs. Many modern car stereos and DVD players can read MP3 CDs. Older units cannot. Burning MP3s to an audio CD does not improve their quality. The conversion to PCM is necessary for compatibility, not for better sound.

How Many Songs Fit on Each Disc?

The capacity of each disc type is very different. A standard audio CD holds either 74 or 80 minutes of audio, no matter what bitrate your MP3 files have. At an average song length of 4 minutes, an 80-minute disc holds about a few songs. An MP3 data CD holds files up to the disc's capacity of about 700 MB. At a bitrate of 192 kbps, that gives you roughly 8 hours of music. The number of songs depends on the bitrate and file size of your MP3s, not the playback time.

Choosing the Right Disc Type for Your Player

Before burning, check your car stereo or hi-fi manual to see if it supports MP3 discs. If it does not, you must use audio CDs. If it does, an MP3 CD gives you far more music per disc.

Pick the Right Blank Media

For an audio CD, use CD-R discs. They are write-once and play in nearly all players. CD-RW discs can be erased and reused, but they are less widely compatible with older players. For an MP3 data CD, CD-R discs also work well. Some newer players may also read CD-RW.

How to Burn an Audio CD or MP3 CD in Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player Legacy (the version included with older Windows installations) includes a Burn tab for creating discs. Follow these steps:

Open Windows Media Player and click the Burn tab at the top right.
Drag MP3 files from your library or a folder into the Burn pane on the right.
Click the Burn options menu and choose either Audio CD or Data CD or DVD. Select Audio CD for standard audio discs. Select Data CD for an MP3 data disc.
Insert a blank CD-R or CD-RW disc into your computer's optical drive.
Click the Start Burn button. Wait for the process to finish.

If you choose Audio CD, the player converts the MP3s to the CD audio format during burning. If you choose Data CD, the MP3 files are written as-is. Match your disc type to your player's compatibility.

How to Burn an Audio CD or MP3 CD in Apple Music

On a Mac with an optical drive, Apple Music (formerly iTunes) can burn playlists to disc. Here is how:

Open Apple Music and create a playlist containing the MP3 files you want to burn.
Click File in the menu bar, then select Burn Playlist to Disc.
In the dialog that appears, choose Audio CD or Data CD or DVD. Audio CD creates a standard audio disc. Data CD creates an MP3 data disc.
Insert a blank CD-R or CD-RW disc.
Click Burn. Apple Music converts and writes the files.

Apple Music may re-encode MP3s to a compatible format for audio CDs. For an MP3 data CD, the files remain as MP3s.

Tips for Successful Burning and Playback

Use CD-R discs for best compatibility with car stereos and older hi-fis. CD-RW discs may not play in many players.
Finalize the disc after burning (most software does this automatically) so that other players can read it.
For audio CDs, keep the total time under 74 or 80 minutes to avoid errors.
For MP3 data CDs, do not fill the disc completely. Leave about 10 MB free for the file system.
Label each disc with a marker to remember what is on it.

What to Do with Your Converted WMA Files

If you have not yet converted your WMA library, use a tool like wmatomp3converterfree.net to convert them to MP3 files before burning. The conversion process creates standard MP3 files that work with both audio CD and MP3 data CD methods described above. Once converted, follow the steps to create your discs.