MKV vs MP4: Which Format Should You Use?
The Short Answer
MKV and MP4 are containers: the same H.264 or H.265 video looks identical in both. MKV holds more — many audio tracks, subtitles, chapters — and MP4 plays in more places — phones, browsers, TVs, editors. Converting between them usually needs no re-encoding.
MKV vs MP4 Side by Side
| MKV | MP4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MKV: Matroska Video | MP4: MPEG-4 Part 14 |
| File extension | MKV: .mkv | MP4: .mp4 |
| How it stores data | MKV: Container for almost any video, audio and subtitle format | MP4: Container, usually H.264 or H.265 video with AAC audio |
| File size | MKV: depends on what is inside | MP4: depends on what is inside |
| Created by | MKV: Matroska project, 2002 | MP4: Moving Picture Experts Group (ISO/IEC), 2001 |
| Best for | MKV: films with several audio tracks and subtitles, long recordings | MP4: sharing, uploading and playing video on any device |
| Watch out | MKV: iPhones, many TVs, editors and upload sites refuse it | MP4: it holds fewer codec and subtitle types than MKV |
| Opens with | MKV: VLC, MPC-HC, Plex, Kodi, most Android players | MP4: every phone, browser, TV and media player |
Choose MKV When
- Films with several audio and subtitle tracks
- Recordings that must survive a crash (OBS)
- Media servers such as Plex and Kodi
Choose MP4 When
- Phones, tablets and smart TVs
- Uploading and sharing
- Video editing software
Convert Between MKV and MP4
More About Each Format
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, MKV or MP4?
MKV and MP4 are containers: the same H.264 or H.265 video looks identical in both. MKV holds more — many audio tracks, subtitles, chapters — and MP4 plays in more places — phones, browsers, TVs, editors. Converting between them usually needs no re-encoding.
When should I use MKV?
Films with several audio and subtitle tracks. Recordings that must survive a crash (OBS). Media servers such as Plex and Kodi.
When should I use MP4?
Phones, tablets and smart TVs. Uploading and sharing. Video editing software.
What is MKV?
MKV is an open container that can hold any number of video, audio and subtitle tracks in almost any codec. It is the usual format of high-quality movie files and OBS recordings.
What is MP4?
MP4 is the default video format of phones, cameras, browsers and social networks. It wraps compressed video and audio — usually H.264 and AAC — in a container almost every device can play.
Can I convert between MKV and MP4?
Yes — free, in batches and without an account. Convert MKV to MP4, or Convert MP4 to MKV with the converter linked on this page.