LAME
| LAME | |
|---|---|
 LAME official logo | |
 LAME v3.97 encoding a VBR file | |
| Developer | LAME Developers |
| Release | 1998 |
| Stable release | 4.0
/ 11 July 2026 |
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Type | Codec |
| License | GNU Lesser General Public License |
| Website | lame |
| Repository | |
LAME is a software encoder that converts digital audio into the MP3 audio coding format. LAME is a free software project that was first released in 1998 and has incorporated many improvements since then, including an improved psychoacoustic model.
LAME was required by some programs released as free software, in which LAME was linked for MP3 support. This avoided including LAME itself, which used patented techniques and so required patent licenses in some countries. All relevant patents have since expired, and LAME is now bundled with Audacity.