# FAQ:Installing the LAME MP3 Encoder

From Audacity Development Manual

The software patent on LAME encoding library has expired, so now the LAME library for MP3 export is built-in with Audacity for Windows and Mac. Linux users will still need to download and install the free and recommended LAME third-party encoder to export MP3 files from Audacity.

Linux users should use the following instructions to download and install the free and recommended LAME third-party encoder to export MP3 files with Audacity.

- Windows: LAME is now built-in with Audacity for Windows.

- Mac: LAME is now built-in with Audacity for Mac.

- Linux/Unix: See the LAME installation section on Installing and updating Audacity on Linux.

## Links

|< FAQ:Installation, Startup and Plug-ins