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 in diameter, rather than the standard . 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, Stereolab, and R.E.M. have released singles in the format. They also remain a popular, low cost way for independent musicians and groups to release music.