These are the Four Types of Vinyl Records that are widely recognized today:

• 12 inch Albums (LP or Long Playing) The Beatles, Revolver LP Vinyl Album 33 RPM.
• 12 inch Singles. BBQ Band 12-inch Single Vinyl Record.
• 7 inch Singles. Diana Ross, Gettin’ Ready For Love 7-inch Single.

Vinyl record sizes differ based on how much music is stored on the surface of the disk. Records come in three standard sizes: 7-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch.

Vinyl records are produced to be played at one of three speeds: 33 1/3 RPM, 45 RPM, and 78 RPM. You will almost never deal with 78 RPM records, so don’t worry about that. Most full-size 12-inch records will be 33 1/3 RPM, though some — mainly EPs and maxi-singles — will be at 45 RPM.

There are four core types of vinyl records that you’re most likely to come across today.

• 12 Inch LP (Long-playing) Albums.
• 7 Inch Singles.
• 12 Inch Singles.
• 10 Inch Records.

LP means Long Play which refers to a full-length record. Vinyl is a word used now interchangeably with record or album. LP technically refers to the length of a record which can be between 10-12 songs. Vinyl refers to the actual object or medium used as a format of playing music similar to a record.

The most common form of the vinyl single is the “45” or “7-inch”. The names are derived from its play speed, 45 rpm (revolutions per minute), and the standard diameter, 7 inches.

Since 45s travel faster than 33s, more waveform definition can be squeezed into the format, which takes up more room. More bumps and grooves created in pressing a 45 means better audio quality. Again, it is similar to MP3 sound quality issues in the digital world.

To provide a quick recap: LP in music means Long Play and is a full length album. EP in music means Extended Play and is a half length album. EP is extended in the sense that it’s longer than a single.

12 of the best vinyl test records Frank Sinatra – In The Wee Small Hours [1955] Charles Mingus – Mingus Ah Um [1959] Neil Young – Tonight’s The Night [1975] The Congos – Heart of the Congos [1977] Brian Eno – Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks [1983] Talk Talk – Spirit of Eden [1988] PJ Harvey – Rid Of Me [1993] Massive Attack – Mezzanine [1998]

Vinyl Record Formats. Records come in a range of different flavors based on competition and consumer tastes. The most common sizes are seven, 10, and 12 inches in diameter, but size isn’t the only way to identify what kind of vinyl record you have.

78 RPM records are made of thick and brittle shellac, which is highly breakable and causes edges to easily chip.

The 45 record was made to be the rival of the 33, or 12-inch long playing record. It is called a 45 because it plays at 45 RPM’s, or revolutions per minute on a turntable. 45 records have become boutique collectible items for record collectors everywhere.