Video Converter
Convert videos between MP4, WebM, MKV, AVI, and MOV with codec, resolution, and quality control.
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MP4, WebM, MKV, AVI, MOV and more. Max 500MB.
Supported Conversions
| Format | Codecs | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| MP4 | H.264, H.265 | Universal playback, web, mobile |
| WebM | VP9 | Web browsers, YouTube |
| MKV | H.264, H.265 | Feature-rich container, archiving |
| AVI | H.264 | Legacy compatibility |
| MOV | H.264 | Apple devices, Final Cut Pro |
Picking The Right Video Format
Video format choice impacts compatibility, file size, and editing speed. The decision tree:
| Format | Strengths | Use when | Avoid when |
|---|---|---|---|
| MP4 (H.264) | Universal compatibility, balanced size/quality | Default for almost everything | Need smallest possible file (use HEVC) |
| MP4 (HEVC/H.265) | ~50% smaller than H.264 same quality | 4K storage, modern devices only | Older phones, Windows without codec |
| WebM (VP9/AV1) | Royalty-free, great for web playback | Self-hosted videos, modern browsers | iOS/Safari (limited support) |
| MOV (Apple) | High quality, edit-friendly on Mac | Editing on Mac (Final Cut, iMovie) | Sharing — convert to MP4 first |
| AVI | Legacy support, Windows-friendly | Compatibility with very old software | New projects — outdated container |
| MKV | Supports any codec + multiple audio/subtitle tracks | Movie archival with subs + multiple audio | Phone playback (limited support) |
The 90% rule: for 90% of use cases — sharing with friends, uploading to social, sending via email, archiving on cloud — MP4 with H.264 is the right answer. Only switch when you have a specific reason (storage cost matters → HEVC, multi-track movie → MKV, web embed → WebM).
Real-World Conversion Recipes
📱 iPhone .mov won't play on Windows colleague's PC
Convert MOV → MP4 (H.264). Same quality, instant Windows playback. The visual content is identical — only the container changes for compatibility.
💾 4K phone videos eating storage
Convert MP4 (H.264) → MP4 (HEVC/H.265). Halves the storage while keeping quality, if devices support HEVC (modern iPhones/Android/Mac do).
🎬 Old AVI files won't play on phone
Convert AVI → MP4 (H.264). Modern phones reliably play MP4 but stumble on AVI codec variations. After-step: compress to phone-friendly bitrate.
🌐 Self-hosted video on a website
Convert source → WebM (VP9). Smaller file than MP4 at same quality, better for bandwidth. Fallback to MP4 H.264 for Safari users (browsers auto-select).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between H.264 and H.265 codecs?
H.265 (also called HEVC) achieves roughly 50% better compression than H.264 at equivalent visual quality, resulting in significantly smaller files. However, H.264 has broader compatibility across devices and browsers. Choose H.264 for maximum playback support or H.265 when file size is the priority.
Which video format is best for uploading to social media?
MP4 with H.264 codec is the universally recommended format for social media platforms including YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. It provides excellent quality with broad device support and efficient compression for fast uploads.
What does the CRF quality setting control?
CRF (Constant Rate Factor) determines the quality-to-file-size tradeoff. A value of 18 produces visually lossless output, 23 is the balanced default with good quality, and values above 28 prioritize smaller files at the cost of visible quality reduction.
Can I change the video resolution during conversion?
Yes, you can downscale the resolution during conversion to reduce file size further. For example, converting a 4K video to 1080p can reduce file size by 75% while maintaining sharp quality for most screens and viewing distances.
How long does video conversion take?
Conversion time depends on the file size, chosen codec, and output settings. H.264 encoding is generally faster than H.265 or VP9. A typical 5-minute 1080p video takes about 1-3 minutes to convert on our server using FFmpeg.