Convert Ferry

MP4 converter

Turn a MOV, MKV or WebM video into an MP4 that plays on almost any phone, computer or TV. No watermark and no sign-up.

How the files you choose are handled is set out in the privacy policy.

How to convert a video to MP4

  1. Tap Choose a video and pick the file.
  2. Read the line under the settings. It tells you whether the video will be copied or converted, and what happens to the sound.
  3. If you are offered a choice, pick Convert to H.264 for a file that plays almost everywhere, or Keep the original video for speed and no quality loss.
  4. Press Convert to MP4, then Save MP4 or Share.

What converting to MP4 involves

A video file has two layers. The outer layer is the container, which is what the file extension names: MP4, MOV, MKV, WebM. Inside it are the video and the sound, each compressed with a codec such as H.264 or AAC.

Often the video inside a MOV or MKV file is already H.264, the codec MP4 files normally use. Then nothing needs converting. The video and sound are lifted out of the old container and placed in a new one. That takes about a second, however long the video is, and the picture is identical to the original.

When the video uses a different codec, you choose:

ChoiceWhat you getTime
Convert to H.264Plays on every device. A small, usually invisible, loss in quality.Depends on the length of the video
Keep the original videoIdentical quality. Plays on newer phones, computers and TVs.About a second

What happens to common files

FileVideo insideResult
MOV from an iPhone, Most Compatible settingH.264Copied, no loss
MOV from an iPhone, High Efficiency settingHEVCYour choice: convert or keep
MKVUsually H.264 or HEVCH.264 is copied. HEVC is your choice
WebMVP9, VP8 or AV1Converted to H.264, or kept if you choose
3GP from an older phoneH.264 or H.263H.264 is copied

Sound in AAC or MP3 is copied as it is. Sound in Opus, Vorbis, FLAC or uncompressed PCM is converted to AAC so that it plays from an MP4.

Good to know

  • Files it reads: MOV, MKV, WebM, M4V, 3GP and MP4.
  • Files it does not read: AVI, WMV, FLV, MPG and VOB.
  • Dolby and DTS sound: MKV films often carry Dolby Digital or DTS audio. These cannot be converted here, so those files come out silent. The tool warns you before you start.
  • One video and one audio track are carried over. Subtitles, chapters and extra audio tracks are left out.
  • Converting to H.264 works in Chrome and Edge. Copying works in every current browser.
  • HDR video becomes standard video when it is converted to H.264.

If the MP4 is too large to send afterwards, the video compressor will shrink it.

Questions

Does converting to MP4 reduce quality?

Not when the video is already H.264, which is the most common case. It is copied bit for bit. When the video has to be converted to H.264 there is a small loss, set low enough that it is hard to see.

Why did my conversion finish instantly?

The video inside your file was already in a format MP4 can hold, so it only had to be moved into a new container. Nothing was re-encoded.

Can I convert AVI, WMV or FLV files?

No. Those older formats are not supported. The tool reads MOV, MKV, WebM, M4V, 3GP and MP4.

My MKV has no sound after converting. Why?

Its sound was Dolby Digital, DTS or another format that cannot be converted here. The video is fine. To keep the sound, convert the file with a desktop app such as VLC or HandBrake.

What is the difference between MP4 and MOV?

Very little. MP4 was developed from Apple's MOV format and the two are built the same way. MP4 is the version nearly every device and website accepts, which is why converting MOV to MP4 is usually just a re-wrap.

Last reviewed .

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