A playlist is a customized list of songs, videos, or other media arranged in a specific order for playback. When you create a playlist on a music app, you're choosing which songs to include and deciding the sequence they'll play in, like organizing your favorite tracks for a road trip or making a collection of upbeat songs for a party.

The concept started with physical formats: people made playlists by carefully arranging songs on cassette tapes (called mixtapes) or burning CDs in a chosen order. Digital technology made playlists far easier to create, edit, and share. Now you can build a playlist in seconds, rearrange songs with a tap, and share it with friends instantly.

Playlists let you shape your listening experience. You might make a study playlist with calm, instrumental music, or a workout playlist full of energetic songs that keep you motivated. Streaming services also create playlists automatically based on your listening habits, though many people prefer crafting their own to match their exact mood or purpose.

While originally used for music, the term now applies to video content too, like a playlist of cooking tutorials or science videos you want to watch in order.