98 votes
CDA File - What is a .cda file and how do I open it?
Learn about .CDA files and view a list of programs that open them.
Languages
Overview
What is a CDA file? A CDA file is a shortcut to a track on an audio CD. Some versions of Windows create CDA files when a user loads an audio CD via their CD drive. Users can double-click a CDA file to play the track to which the file points (provided the CD is in the user's CD drive).
More Information You're most likely to encounter CDA files in Windows File Explorer, when viewing the contents of an audio CD you've loaded via your CD drive. For these CDs (specifically, Compact Disc Digital Audio CDs), Windows automatically creates CDA files, which can be used to jump to and play specific tracks. CDA files do not contain any audio data. Instead, they contain a pointer to the location at which an audio track is stored on an audio CD. Thus, if you attempt to open a CDA file without the associated CD in your CD drive, the file will not open (and no audio will play).
Microsoft Windows Media Player 12 Icon
Breadcrumbs
DeveloperMicrosoft
Popularity3.5 | 98 Votes
Previous / Next
In-Depth
.CDA File Extension
CD Audio Track Shortcut
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
3.5 | 98 Votes |
What is a CDA file?
A CDA file is a shortcut to a track on an audio CD. Some versions of Windows create CDA files when a user loads an audio CD via their CD drive. Users can double-click a CDA file to play the track to which the file points (provided the CD is in the user's CD drive).
More Information
You're most likely to encounter CDA files in Windows File Explorer, when viewing the contents of an audio CD you've loaded via your CD drive. For these CDs (specifically, Compact Disc Digital Audio CDs), Windows automatically creates CDA files, which can be used to jump to and play specific tracks.
CDA files do not contain any audio data. Instead, they contain a pointer to the location at which an audio track is stored on an audio CD. Thus, if you attempt to open a CDA file without the associated CD in your CD drive, the file will not open (and no audio will play).
Common CDA Filenames
Track##.cda - CDA files' typical name. ## corresponds to the track to which the CDA file points.
How to open a CDA file
Despite the fact that CDA files contain no actual audio, you can open them with various media players to play the audio to which they point. Remember, however, that in order for a CDA file to play audio, you must first load the associated audio CD in your computer's CD drive.
Examples of media players that can open CDA files include Microsoft Windows Media Player , VideoLAN VLC media player , and Nullsoft Winamp .
Open over 400 file formats with File Viewer Plus . Free Download
Programs that open CDA files
Sort
Pricing
Program Name
Platform
Reset
X
Windows
Microsoft Windows Media Player
Included with OS
Nullsoft Winamp
Free
Media Player Classic
Free
JRiver Media Center
Free Trial
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Other audio player
Mac
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
JRiver Media Center
Free Trial
Other audio player
Linux
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Other audio player
Category: Audio Files
Updated: October 25, 2023