3-inch CD single

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The 3-inch CD (also called CD3, in relation to the CD5, or the 5 inch CD single) is a mini compact disc that measures three inches in diameter, rather than the standard five. They are manufactured using the same methods as standard 5-inch CDs, and can be played in most standard audio CD players and CD-ROM drives. The format was first released in the United Kingdom, Japan, U.S.A., France, Germany and Hong Kong in 1988. Although the format was not widely available in the United Kingdom, several artists, such as Garbage, Catatonia, The Sisters of Mercy & R.E.M. have released singles in the format.

Example of a Japanese 3" CD Single and accompanying Snap-Pack cover

Example of an opened Japanese 3" CD Single Snap-Pack cover

Standard Mini CD 8cm

Some of the more collectable (8cm) 3" CD singles around today were from Japan called 3" CD Snap-packs, as they could be 'snapped' and folded into a small square rather than being the 6" by 3" inch length type of packaging involved.
Most cost about ¥1000 about(£5 or $10) at the time of releasing them during the late 80's to early 90's, so many of the artists who released on 3" CDs, are from that era, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, U2, Wham!, and George Michael.

US versions were similar in the 6" by 3" packaging, though the artwork on the covers were, on occasion, different from the Japanese versions.

UK 3" CDs were made mostly in a small square form only, some including a 5" CD adapter to use in normal players.

Most of the 3" CD singles had at least 2 tracks, often comprising of a single version, and an instrumental version.

From a technical standpoint, a 3-inch CD follows the Redbook standard for CD digital audio. The major difference is that the smaller physical size of the disc allows for fewer data sectors, meaning the disc can store less audio. The majority of audio CD players and CD-ROM drives have a smaller circular indentation in the CD tray for holding these discs. Some slot-loading drives, however, are unable to manipulate the smaller discs. (Such drives are commonly encountered in car CD players.)

In the USA, the format barely lasted into the early 1990s, being replaced by the more conventional and easy to produce 5" CD Single format, at least among major labels. The format continued until 2000 for Japanese releases. As of December 2007, the format is used in small CD runs by a wide range of independent artists and labels, many of which press the discs and covers themselves.