LP, 12" Maxi or 7" Single? Vinyl Record Formats Explained
In short: An LP is a 12-inch (30 cm) record holding a whole album, played at 33⅓ revolutions per minute. A 12" maxi single is the same size but holds only a few tracks – usually longer versions or remixes – and often plays at 45 rpm. A 7" single is the small 17.5 cm record with one song per side, played at 45 rpm.
The formats at a glance
| Format | Diameter | Speed | Typical content |
|---|---|---|---|
| LP | 12 inch (30 cm) | 33⅓ rpm | Whole album, approx. 15–25 minutes per side |
| 12" maxi single | 12 inch (30 cm) | mostly 45, sometimes 33⅓ rpm | 1–4 tracks, often extended versions and remixes |
| 7" single | 7 inch (17.5 cm) | 45 rpm | A-side and B-side, one song each |
| EP | usually 7 inch | 45 or 33⅓ rpm | 3–4 tracks |
The LP – the album format
The long-playing record is the classic format for albums. Thanks to the slow speed of 33⅓ rpm, about 15 to 25 minutes of music fit on one side. Double LPs (2LP) spread longer albums over two discs, often in a fold-out gatefold sleeve. Here you can find all vinyl LPs in our shop.
Double LP example: Pink Floyd – The Wall (2LP, German original, 1979)
The 12" maxi single – built for the club
The maxi single was born in the mid-70s disco scene: DJs wanted longer, danceable versions with the best possible sound. Because there are only a few tracks on the large disc, the grooves can be cut wider – giving more volume and a punchier bass. To this day the 12" is the format for disco, Italo disco, house, techno and hip hop. Browse our 12" maxi singles.
Tip: Check the speed on the label before playing. Many maxis run at 45 rpm even though they are as big as an LP.
12" maxi example: Peter Tosh – Don't Look Back / Soon Come (with Mick Jagger, Dutch original, 1978)
The 7" single – small and iconic
For decades the single was the format for hits: the radio song on the A-side, another track on the B-side. Many singles have a large centre hole – originally for jukeboxes. To play them you need a single adapter (“puck”). Collectors love singles for their picture sleeves and because some B-sides never appeared on an album. Here are our 7" vinyl singles.
7" single example: David Bowie – Knock On Wood (German original, 1974)
Special editions
- Picture disc: The artwork is pressed right into the record. A real eye-catcher, but often a little noisier than black vinyl. See our picture discs.
- Coloured vinyl: Splatter, marbled or transparent – usually in limited runs. More under limited edition & coloured vinyl.
- 180-gram vinyl: Heavier and more resistant to warping. Better sound is not automatically guaranteed – mastering and pressing quality matter most.
- 10" records: An in-between format, today mostly used for special editions.
Picture disc example: The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (UK, 1979)
From our experience
My personal favourite to play is the 12" maxi single: for me it is simply the best-sounding format – wide grooves, plenty of punch in the bass and enough room for the long extended versions. One of my favourite examples is “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five (1982). And the Swiss original pressing of Mr. Freaky – “One Hour & One” from 1988, which I found at a house clearance, shows that maxis can be real collector's items too.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – The Message (1982) and Mr. Freaky – One Hour & One (Swiss original, 1988)
A collecting niche of its own are promo maxis that never made it into regular shops. A great example is Tina Turner – “What You Get Is What You See” from 1987: this German promo maxi was distributed as part of Tina Turner's Pepsi-sponsored tour. It features three versions of the song – Extended Dance Mix, Extended Rock Mix and a live version – and Eric Clapton plays guitar on the dance mix.
Promo maxi example: Tina Turner – What You Get Is What You See (German promo, Pepsi tour 1987)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an LP and a maxi single?
Both are 12 inches. The LP holds a whole album and plays at 33⅓ rpm; the maxi single holds only a few, often extended tracks and usually plays at 45 rpm.
At what speed do I play a single?
7" singles almost always play at 45 rpm. The speed is usually printed on the label.
Does a maxi single sound better than an LP?
Often yes: because there is less music on the disc, the grooves can be cut wider. That means more volume and bass – which is why DJs love maxis.
What is a promo maxi?
A maxi single distributed for promotional purposes – for example to radio stations and DJs or, as with Tina Turner in 1987, as part of a tour – rather than sold in regular shops. Such editions are often rarer than the normal retail version.
How is the condition of used records graded?
We grade every used record according to the Goldmine standard – record and sleeve separately. For more on value, read our guide How to spot valuable vinyl records.
