What is an MP4 file?

MP4 is the standard video container used by phones, cameras, YouTube, social networks and screen recorders. It usually contains H.264 video and AAC audio, a combination that plays almost everywhere.

Full name	MPEG-4 Part 14
File extensions	.mp4, .m4v
MIME type	video/mp4
Introduced	2001
Compression	Lossy (usually H.264 or H.265 video, AAC audio)
Typical file size	Around 5-20 MB per minute for HD video
Best for	sharing and playing video on any device
Compatibility	Universal: every phone, computer, TV, browser and social network

How to open an MP4 file

Windows

Plays in Media Player, Photos and any browser.

Mac

Plays in QuickTime, Photos and Safari.

iPhone and iPad

Plays in Photos and Files.

Android

Plays in Google Photos, Gallery and any video app.

If none of these work, convert the file to a more widely supported format with one of the tools below.

Convert MP4 files

MP4 to MP3Extract the audio from MP4 videos as MP3.MP4 to WAVExtract the audio from MP4 videos as WAV.MP4 to GIFMake a looping GIF from an MP4 clip in seconds, with control over length, size and speed.

Other tools for MP4 files

MP4 to MP3Extract the audio from MP4 videos as MP3.M4A to MP3Convert M4A audio to MP3, privately.MP4 to WAVExtract the audio from MP4 videos as WAV.M4A to WAVConvert M4A audio to WAV, privately.Video to MP3Extract the audio from MP4, MOV, WebM and other videos as MP3.Audio ConverterConvert M4A, WAV, OGG, FLAC, AAC, Opus, WebM and video soundtracks to MP3 or WAV.

MP4 metadata and privacy

MP4 videos from phones often include the recording date, the device model and GPS coordinates of where they were filmed.

Frequently asked questions

What is an MP4 file?

MP4 is the standard video container used by phones, cameras, YouTube, social networks and screen recorders. It usually contains H.264 video and AAC audio, a combination that plays almost everywhere.

How do I open an MP4 file on Windows?

Plays in Media Player, Photos and any browser.

How do I open an MP4 file on a Mac?

Plays in QuickTime, Photos and Safari.

Is MP4 lossy or lossless?

MP4 uses lossy compression, so some detail is discarded each time the file is saved.

How do I convert MP4 to another format?

Use one of the free converters on this page, for example MP4 to MP3, MP4 to WAV, MP4 to GIF. Files are converted in your browser without being uploaded.