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Play MP3 Files With mpg123

Decode and play MP3 audio straight from the shell.

macOSaudioplayermediaLow risk
Run mpg123 song.mp3 to play the file; press Ctrl+C to stop.

01Command

Command
$ mpg123 song.mp3

02What it does

mpg123 is a long-standing command-line MP3 decoder and player. It can play a single file, an entire playlist or a directory glob, and -C enables interactive keyboard controls. It is useful in scripts and on headless machines.

03Risk

RiskLow risk
Requirementsbrew install mpg123
CompatibilitymacOS with Homebrew installed
!Warning: It plays to the default audio device; if none exists it exits with an error instead of failing gracefully.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • mpg123
    mpg123.de · vendor-doc · 2026-09-20
    Evidence: Official mpg123 page with playback and decoding options.
  • Homebrew formula: mpg123
    Homebrew · vendor-doc · 2026-09-20
    Evidence: Installs mpg123, a command-line MP3 player.

Last verified: 2026-09-20 · Category: Media

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