Which audio format is often used for distributing music files?

The MP3 format is widely recognized and commonly used for distributing music files due to its efficient compression method, which significantly reduces file size without substantially compromising audio quality. This makes MP3 files easier to download and share, leading to their popularity on various music distribution platforms, especially during the digital music revolution. The compression allows for faster streaming and storage on portable devices, which is particularly appealing to consumers.

While other formats like WAV and FLAC offer higher audio quality, they typically result in much larger file sizes, making them less practical for online distribution where bandwidth and storage can be a concern. M4A is also a good format but it is less universally supported than MP3, especially on older devices and software. Thus, for distributing music files where file size and ease of access are prioritized, MP3 remains the go-to choice.