Mini-LP

A mini-LP or mini-album is a short record album or LP, usually retailing at a lower price than an album that would be considered full-length. It is distinct from an EP due to containing more tracks and a slightly longer running length. A mini-LP is not to be confused with the Japanese CDs issued in a "mini LP sleeve" or "paper jacket". In South Korea, a mini album (Korean: 미니앨범) is a type of music release that contains 4-7 songs.

Its running time is shorter than the typical album but longer than a single album.^[1] It is sometimes synonymous with extended play,^[2] however, some music distributors may classify mini albums with 7 or more songs as an album.^[3] In the United States, The Recording Academy's rules for Grammy Awards state that an album must comprise a minimum total playing time of 15 minutes with at least five distinct tracks or a minimum total playing time of 30 minutes with no minimum track requirement.^[4] In the United Kingdom, the criteria for the UK Albums Chart is that a recording counts as an "album" if it either has more than four tracks or lasts more than 25 minutes.^[5]

In some cases, artists have used the chronological placement of a mini album in their discography as part of the title of the release. For example, 2NE1 1st Mini Album or Taste of Love: The 10th Mini Album.