MKV
Matroska is a flexible container. MKV is the common video extension.
Common uses
- Rips
- Fansub archives
- High-flexibility encodes
Strengths
- Many codecs and subtitle tracks
- Chapters
Weaknesses
- HTML5 video support is not the point of MKV
- Hard to standardise a delivery profile
Compatibility. VLC and desktop players, not a first-class web format.
Size and quality. Depends on the codec inside.
How to open it. A desktop player. Browser inspection often fails.
How to convert it. Remux or transcode to MP4/WebM for the web.
Security and privacy. Untrusted media plus subtitle formats that some players parse aggressively. Keep software current.
Related tools
- Video file inspector
Read duration and resolution from a video without uploading it.
Related comparisons
Last reviewed 16 August 2026.