A 12-inch vinyl record is a type of music storage medium made from polyvinyl chloride. Typically, it has a diameter of 12 inches and can hold about 20 minutes of audio on each side. These records are commonly used for playing music in various genres, including rock, jazz, and classical. Vinyl records are played on a turntable, which uses a needle to read the grooves on the record's surface. The sound quality of vinyl is often praised for its warmth and richness, making it a popular choice among audiophiles and collectors.