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The mini CD single (also 3-inch CD or CD3, in relation to the CD5, or the 5-inch CD single) is a...

The mini CD single (also 3-inch CD or CD3, in relation to the CD5, or the 5-inch CD single) is a mini Compact Disc that measures 8 cm (3.1 in) in diameter, rather than the standard 12 cm (4.7 in). They are manufactured using the same methods as standard full-size CDs, and can be played in most standard audio CD players and CD-ROM disc drives. The format was first released in the United Kingdom, Japan, U.S.A., France, West 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. Some of the more collectable (8cm) 3" CD singles around today were from Japan, and were called 3" CD Snap-Packs, as they could be 'snapped' and folded into a small square rather than being the 6×3-inch (15×8cm) 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, Bee Gees, Elton John, Madonna, U2 and George Michael. US versions were often packaged in cardboard slipcases, either