## Exporting MP3 Files

Audacity cannot encode MP3 files by itself, because the MP3 encoding algorithm is patented and cannot legally be used in free programs. However, Audacity has been programmed to recognize other existing MP3 encoders that you can download separately. All you have to do is obtain the appropriate MP3 encoder for your computer and then show Audacity where it is located.

If you use... | You need to...
--- | ---
Windows | Download LAME and look for the file called lame_enc.dll
Linux/Unix | Download LAME and compile it as a shared object, then look for the file called libmp3lame.so
Macintosh | Download LAMELib (see our website for more info).

For links to these MP3 encoders, go to the Audacity web page (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) and go to the page for your operating system.

The first time you try to export an MP3 file, Audacity will ask you to locate your MP3 encoder. Locate the file indicated above. From then on, Audacity will not need to ask you again and you will be able to export MP3 files easily.