What is an EP? A Complete Guide for Musicians & Fans

You’ve been dropping singles and thinking, “Maybe it’s time for an album.” Then suddenly you hear about something called an EP.

And now you got serious about it because you know it’s shorter than an album and easier on the budget, right? 

Well, let me show you what is an EP, how long is it, and why artists love it all the time. 

Definition & EP Criteria 

An EP, short for Extended Play, is a music release that sits between a single and a full-length album. 

It typically includes 1 to 8 tracks and runs about 15 to 30 minutes in total.

Despite the name, it is not “extended” compared to an album. It’s “extended” compared to a single. 

Think of it as a bite-sized project that gives you more room to experiment and showcase variety without the time or cost of a full LP.

Industry Standards

According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), an EP is defined as:

• 3 to 5 songs

• Total runtime must be 30 minutes or less

This matters for distribution and certifications. 

Anything longer might be treated as an album, which affects how your release is categorized on platforms or charts.

In the UK, the rules are even tighter. According to the Official Charts Company, a release qualifies as an EP if it: 

• Contains 4 tracks or fewer

• Runs 25 minutes or less

If your release exceeds either of those limits, it’s officially considered an album for chart purposes. 

That means a 3-track release that’s 28 minutes long would be considered an album. Yeah, that’s true! 

So, a 6-track release that’s only 18 minutes is still an album. But a 4 track release that’s below 25 minutes? That’s just an EP. 

Single vs EP vs LP

A single is usually one or two songs, though up to three tracks is common, especially if one is a remix or alternative version of the main track.

It’s used to promote upcoming projects or keep listeners engaged between bigger drops.

An EP is more than a single but less than an album. Usually 3 to 8 tracks, with a runtime under 30 minutes. 

It gives you flexibility to try new sounds, introduce your style, or keep momentum going.

An LP (Long Play) is a full-length album. 

Usually 7 or more tracks, typically running 30 to 60 minutes or longer. This is your big statement, your complete body of work.

History & Format Evolution of EPs 

Vinyl Beginnings: RCA’s Clapback to Columbia

Let’s rewind. In 1919, a label called Grey Gull Records found a clever way to fit more music on a single record. 

They used tighter grooves to press two songs onto what was normally a one-song disc. 

These became known as “2-in-1” 78s and gave listeners more music without needing new equipment.

But the real format battle started in 1952. 

Columbia Records introduced the 33 and a third RPM LP, a longer-playing vinyl that could hold full albums. 

In response, RCA came up with something shorter, faster, and just as innovative: the 7-inch, 45 RPM Extended Play record, or EP.

This new EP format could hold around seven and a half minutes of music on each side by using tighter grooves and slightly compressed audio. 

The best part was that it worked with the same turntables people already owned.

RCA wasn’t just reacting to Columbia. They were reshaping the way music was packaged and released. 

The EP offered something fresh. A shorter, more affordable way to deliver more than a single but less than a full album.

EPs and Jukeboxes: A Love Story

In the 1960s and 70s, EPs found a new home inside jukeboxes.

Record labels started pressing small 7-inch vinyl records that played at the same speed as full albums, which was 33 and one-third revolutions per minute. 

These were called Little LPs. Each one could hold up to six songs, usually the best tracks from a full album.

They were designed specifically for jukeboxes in diners, bars, and other public hangouts. 

At the time, jukeboxes worked like music vending machines. You’d insert a few coins and pick your song to play. 

Here’s an AI-generated representation of what it used to look like back then: 

These compact EPs gave listeners more music per coin, making them a crowd favorite.

By 1966, more than a thousand of these titles were in rotation. 

They let people hear the hits without needing to own the whole album, and gave artists a way to reach new fans track by track.

2010: Warner Bros. Rolls Out the Six-Pak

Jump to the CD slump of 2010. Attention spans were shrinking, album sales were dropping, and Warner Bros. needed a new play. 

The answer was the Six-Pak, a six-track disc priced around six bucks. 

Blake Shelton’s Hillbilly Bone led the charge and proved that a mid-sized release could move units without the cost or commitment of a full album.

Streaming Era: The EP Renaissance

When streaming took over, the rules of releasing music shifted.df

Playlists became the new radio. Getting featured in a playlist meant more streams, more visibility, and more fans. 

To stay active and show up regularly in these feeds, artists began releasing music more often and in smaller batches.

That made EPs the perfect format for the moment.

Listeners no longer wanted to wait a year for a full album. They preferred shorter, more frequent releases. 

EPs allowed artists to share 3 to 6 songs at a time, keeping their name in rotation without the long gaps between major projects.

Some artists used EPs to extend the life of a successful album. 

Lady Gaga released The Fame Monster after The Fame, and Kesha followed Animal with Cannibal. These EPs added new songs and gave the original albums a second wave of attention.

Other artists, like Miley Cyrus, used a different strategy. Instead of one long album, she released a series of EPs over time. 

This let her spread out engagement across months, keeping fans interested with each new drop.

EPs became more than a side release. In the streaming era, they turned into a powerful tool for staying relevant, testing new ideas, and staying in the loop of music discovery.

Deluxe EPs: The “Wait, There’s More” Move

Now we have the deluxe EP. It starts with the core release, then quickly follows with bonus content: demos, live recordings, alternate takes, and updated artwork. 

Artists like Lil Uzi Vert blurred the line between album and EP by using deluxe drops as creative extensions. 

It is part fan service, part strategy, and fully built for the streaming economy.

 EP vs Single vs Album (Quick Comparison)

Not all releases are built the same, and knowing the difference is more than just trivia. 

It shapes your strategy, affects how platforms treat your music, and even decides whether your drop gets playlisted or ignored.

Here’s table that can give you a quick comparison between EP, Single, and album: