The vinyl record as we recognize it today dates back to Emile Berliner’s gramophone in the late 1800s, though the history of the record player can be traced to decades before his invention. But since then, vinyl has grown and evolved. Newbies to the vinyl world are often intimidated when learning that there’s not one, not two, but three different sizes of records and three different speeds - and those are just the standard ones.
But we’re here to make it simple. Let’s break down the basics of vinyl size and speed so you’ll know the difference the next time you go to grab a record from your collection or buy one from a shop.
Records are (typically) manufactured in three sizes: 7-inch (18cm), 10-inch (25cm), and 12-inch (30cm) diameters.
12-inch: The most common size of vinyl record you’ll find today is 12”. It offers the longest playing time available, making it the most widely used format for full-length albums. You get roughly 22 minutes per side when played at 33 RPM, making it perfect for standard albums that last between 30 and 40 minutes total. Interestingly, this format only really became successful in the 1940s after World War II, when American consumer spending surged, making the 12-inch LP the industry standard.
10-inch: Compared to 12” and 7”, 10” vinyl records are far less common. They offer a larger surface area than 7” ones, which accommodates a greater track selection while delivering better sound quality and louder volumes. In recent years, they’ve become more of a novelty or a collector’s item.
7-inch: The smallest record size (for commercial releases) is the 7” vinyl. They’re also known as “singles” and typically only have one track per side. They were designed to rival the 12” LP and were the perfect format for 50s and 60s Rock and Pop singles. During that era, the most common place to find 7-inch records were in jukeboxes.
There’s a better way to group vinyl records than size: speed. There are three main speeds for these discs: 33, 45, and 78 RPM (revolutions per minute). Those revolutions refer to the number of times they spin while playing on a turntable.
33 RPM: 33 (or, more accurately, 33⅓) RPM vinyl discs are also called “LPs” or “LP records”. Short for “Long Play,” these albums use a slower playback speed and narrower grooves, allowing them to store more audio than other varieties. They rolled onto the scene after World War II and offered a good balance between audio quality and playing time.
Typically, 12-inch records are produced at 33⅓ RPM. But occasionally this speed is used in 7-inch discs for EPs (short for “Extended Play”) to offer longer playing time.
45 RPM: The 45 RPM was released by RCA around 1950 and often held only one song on each side. They are known as “singles” or “forty-fives.” Between their compact size and how easily they could store a single radio hit, these discs led to the creation of the jukebox. They saw the height of their popularity in the 60s and 70s.
Most often, 7-inch records are produced at 45 RPM.
78 RPM: 78s were the standard speed for shellac records during the first half of the 1900s. Shellac records are less durable than the comparatively more modern vinyl records, as they were made of minerals and cotton fibers held together with resin. As such, they’re harder to come by in good working condition. They fell from popularity with the invention of 33 and 45 RPM records, and you won’t find many turntables manufactured past 1975 that have 78 RPM as a speed setting.
Identifying vinyl can be intimidating when you’re new to this part of the audio world. But there are two ways to distinguish between vinyl record types: size and speed. There are unconventional vinyl discs that exist (such as 5-inch records and formats like 8⅓ and 16⅔ RPM), but as long as you’re aware of the three main types of each, you’ll be able to recognize most of the varieties that are out there.
Thanks for reading! If you’re interested in investing in a turntable to start a vinyl collection of your own, you’re in luck. At SpenCertified, we specialize in vintage audio and video gear, and we have quite the selection of retro turntables to choose from. You can take a look at our collection here. Have a great day!
https://spencertified.com/collections/record-players
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