Guide · Video Converter
How to convert video to MP4, WebM or GIF online
Updated · 6 min read
A video that will not open on your TV, a screen recording that is too large to send, a clip you want as a GIF: converting video solves all of them. You can do it in your browser without installing software and without uploading private footage. This guide shows how, and how to choose settings that keep the file small and sharp.
Try the video converter nowFree, runs in your browser, nothing uploaded.Convert a video in four steps
Use the free video converter. It processes the file on your device.
- Drop your video on the converter, or tap the box to choose a file.
- Choose MP4, WebM or GIF as the output format.
- Pick a resolution and quality. Lower values make a smaller file.
- Press Convert, preview the result and download it.
MP4, WebM or GIF: which should you pick?
MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio plays almost everywhere: phones, TVs, social networks, email clients and video editors. Choose it unless you have a reason not to.
WebM is designed for the web. It suits websites and some chat tools, and it is supported by Chrome, Edge and Firefox. GIF is an animated image with no sound, best for short loops of a few seconds, such as a reaction or a screen demo. GIFs get large quickly, so keep the resolution low.
Make a video file smaller
Large videos are usually large because of resolution, not length. These changes have the biggest effect.
- Lower the resolution. 1080p to 720p often cuts the size by more than half and still looks good on a phone.
- Choose Balanced or Small quality instead of High.
- Trim what you do not need with the video extractor before converting.
- Remove the audio track if the video does not need sound.
Why a video will not play
Most playback errors are a codec problem, not a broken file. A MOV from an iPhone or an MKV from a screen recorder may use a codec that your player or website does not support. Converting to MP4 (H.264) rewrites the file in the format almost everything understands.
Conversion happens in your browser using a built-in engine. The engine downloads once, then your browser keeps it, so the next conversion starts faster. Long 1080p videos can take several minutes because your device does the work, so keep the tab open.
Pull the sound out afterwards
Once a video is the right format, you may want only the sound. The audio extractor saves the soundtrack as MP3, WAV or M4A, and the video transcript tool turns the speech into text and subtitles.
Common video conversion problems
If the converted video has no sound, check that the original has an audio track. If conversion is slow, lower the resolution or convert a shorter clip, because your device does the work. If the file is still too big, choose Small quality and 480p. If a video will not open at all, try converting it to MP4 first, since that is the most compatible format.
FAQ
Common questions
How do I convert MOV to MP4 for free?
Drop the MOV on the video converter, choose MP4 and press Convert. It runs in your browser with no upload or watermark.
Does converting video lose quality?
Re-encoding applies compression, so a small loss is normal. High quality at the original resolution is the closest to the source.
Is there a file size limit?
The limit is your device memory. Files up to about 500 MB work on most computers. Phones may struggle with very large files.
How do I turn a video into a GIF?
Choose GIF as the format, keep the clip short and use a smaller resolution. GIFs have no sound and get large quickly.
How do I convert MKV to MP4?
Drop the MKV on the video converter, choose MP4 and press Convert.
Which resolution should I choose?
Choose 720p for sharing on phones and social media, 1080p for larger screens and the original size when quality matters most.
Can I convert video on my phone?
Yes for short clips. Long or large videos are faster and more reliable on a computer.