# EP's and LP's?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eps-and-lps/160687>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [March 11, 2003, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eps-and-lps/160687 "2003-03-11T23:53:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aslan_of_Narnia)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2003, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eps-and-lps/160687/1 "2003-03-11T23:53:00Z")

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What are the differences between them?

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**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eps-and-lps/160687/2 "2003-03-12T00:04:27Z")

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EPs (extended plays) only have 3-6 songs on them. They are “extended” from a single (2 songs).

LPs (long players) are full length albums.

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**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eps-and-lps/160687/3 "2003-03-12T00:20:24Z")

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All my old EPs are in the 12 inch vinyl format like LPs, but play at 45 rpm like singles. But, yeah, **Lisa** has it right.

God, am I old…

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**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eps-and-lps/160687/4 "2003-03-12T01:55:45Z")

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Well, the usual American EP had four songs (two on each side) and were 10 inches instead of 12. The format never really caught on in America, though.

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**Author:** ![Merseybeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@Merseybeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merseybeat)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eps-and-lps/160687/5 "2003-03-12T02:41:44Z")

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UK EPs were 7 inch, 45 RPM, with 2 songs on each side - sometimes the best songs from an LP, and sometimes a singles collection, such as a “Best of…” e.g. four Motown hits.

Usually with a glossy, laminated cover instead of the paper singles cover.

I’m feeling my age as well…