Matroska Video (.MKV)
MKV (Matroska Video) is a free, open-standard multimedia container that can hold an unlimited number of video, audio, subtitle, and metadata tracks in a single file. It supports virtually any codec and is especially popular for high-definition video content with multiple audio and subtitle options. Matroska is designed to be future-proof with a flexible, extensible EBML-based structure.
Advantages of Matroska Video
What the MKV format does well, and why you might choose it.
- Supports virtually any codec and unlimited tracks for audio, subtitles, and video
- Rich feature set including chapters, menus, metadata, and attachments
- Open standard that is free and widely supported by media players
Limitations of Matroska Video
What the MKVformat doesn't do well, and when to choose another format.
- Not natively supported by all hardware devices and smart TVs
- Larger overhead compared to simpler containers like MP4
- Not supported for direct playback in most web browsers
What MKV files are used for
- High-definition movie and TV show storage with multiple audio and subtitle tracks
- Anime and media collections requiring multiple language options
- Video archival with comprehensive metadata preservation
Convert to MKV
The most common formats people convert to MKV, ready to convert in seconds.
Convert MKV to other formats
Convert Matroska Video files into the format you actually need.
Frequently asked questions about MKV
What is a .MKV file?
MKV (Matroska Video) is a free, open-standard multimedia container that can hold an unlimited number of video, audio, subtitle, and metadata tracks in a single file. It supports virtually any codec and is especially popular for high-definition video content with multiple audio and subtitle options. Matroska is designed to be future-proof with a flexible, extensible EBML-based structure.
What is the MIME type of MKV?
The official MIME type for MKV files is video/x-matroska. This is the value web servers and applications use to identify the format when transferring files.
What category does MKV belong to?
MKV is a Video Converter format. Files in this category share common conversion paths and use cases.
How do I open a .MKV file?
MKV files are typically opened by software that natively supports the Matroska Videoformat. If you don't have a compatible application, the most reliable approach is to convert the file to a more universal format using the converters listed above. Most Matroska Video files convert to widely-supported alternatives in seconds.
Have a MKV file you need to convert?
Free, instant, no signup. Files deleted within an hour of upload.
Convert MKV to TS