Vinyl Record Terms and Slang

What do you call a vinyl record?

The most common names are “record,” “vinyl,” “LP,” and “album.” In casual use, people say “vinyl” for records in general, even though the word refers to the plastic (polyvinyl chloride) most modern records are made of. Older shellac records, such as 78s, are made from different material but are still called records. Collectors also use informal terms such as “wax” or “platter,” which are slang.

Formats and speeds

LP (long play): Usually a 12-inch record played at 33⅓ revolutions per minute (RPM), commonly holding a full-length album.
EP (extended play): A shorter release than an LP but longer than a single. EPs come in different sizes and speeds, with 7-inch 45 RPM and 12-inch versions both common.
Single: Typically a 7-inch record with one main song per side, often played at 45 RPM.
Maxi-single: A 12-inch single, often with extended mixes or several versions of a track.
RPM: Revolutions per minute, the speed at which the record turns. The standard speeds are 33⅓, 45, and 78.
78: An older format played at about 78 RPM, usually made of shellac and needing a suitable stylus.

Why are records called 45s?

“45” refers to the playing speed, 45 RPM. Because 7-inch singles were commonly released at that speed, people began calling those singles “45s.” Not every 7-inch record plays at 45 RPM, so check the label if you are unsure.

Parts of a record and its packaging

Groove: The spiral track in the surface that the stylus follows.
Dead wax (run-out): The smooth area between the end of the music and the center label.
Matrix number: A code etched or stamped in the dead wax that identifies the stamper or the mastering. Collectors use it to identify pressings.
Center label: The paper label showing the title, artist, and label name.
Spindle hole: The central hole. Singles may have a larger hole that needs an adapter on some turntables.
Jacket (sleeve): The outer cover that holds the record.
Inner sleeve: The paper or plastic sleeve inside the jacket that protects the disc.
Gatefold: A jacket that opens like a book, common for double albums.
Obi strip: A paper strip found on many Japanese pressings.

Pressing and edition terms

Pressing: A batch of records made from a set of stampers.
First pressing: One of the earliest pressings of a release. Collectors often value these, though they are not automatically better sounding.
Original: A copy released around the time the album first came out.
Reissue: A later release of an older album.
Remaster: A version made from a new mastering of the audio, which may change how it sounds.
Test pressing: A pre-release copy made to check quality, usually in small numbers.
Colored vinyl: A record pressed in a color other than black.
Picture disc: A record with an image sealed into the surface layers. Some collectors find them less suited to critical listening, though results vary.
Limited edition: A release made in a restricted run. The label sets the limit, so claims are worth checking.
Import: A record pressed in another country.

Condition grading terms

Sellers often use a common shorthand, though individual sellers may apply it differently, so read the description and ask for photos.

M (Mint): Perfect. Rarely used honestly for older records.
NM (Near Mint): Looks and plays like new, with very minor signs of handling.
VG+ (Very Good Plus): Some light wear or marks, but still plays well.
VG (Very Good): Noticeable wear, surface noise, or marks.
G / P (Good / Poor): Heavy wear. Usually only worth buying for a rare title.
Sealed / shrink: Still in the original wrapping.

Playback and turntable terms

Turntable: The device that spins the record.
Platter: The spinning surface the record sits on.
Tonearm: The arm that holds the cartridge.
Cartridge: The part that converts groove movement into an electrical signal.
Stylus (needle): The tip that rides in the groove.
Tracking force: The weight the stylus puts on the record, set by the user.
Preamp (phono stage): Boosts the cartridge signal so it can work with regular speakers or amplifiers. Some turntables and amplifiers include one.
Skip: When the stylus jumps out of the groove.
Warp: A bend in the record, which can cause the stylus to rise and fall.

Collector slang

Crate digging: Searching through bins of records for finds.
Dollar bin: A cheap bin in a shop.
Grail: A record a collector very much wants.
Spin: To play a record.
Needle drop: Playing a record to hear or record how it sounds.
Deep cut: A less famous track on an album.
B-side: The flip side of a single, historically the less promoted song.

What records sound good on vinyl?

There is no definitive list. Sound depends mostly on how the album was recorded, mastered, and pressed, as well as your equipment. Listeners often mention acoustic music, jazz, and well-recorded rock, but opinions differ. If you want ideas for first purchases, see our guide to must-haves for a vinyl collection.

Where to go next

If you are still deciding whether the hobby is for you, read why people buy vinyl records. Once you start shopping, you will pick up this vocabulary quickly.