← Back to Directory
.mp4

MPEG-4 Part 14

Commonly known as MP4

The most compatible digital multimedia container for video and audio. developed by MPEG and released in 2001, it has become a standard for Web video, Social media, General storage.

Key Features

  • Universal compatibility
  • Good compression/quality balance
  • Streaming support

Limitations

  • Compression is lossy
  • Editing requires re-encoding

When to use MP4?

The MP4 format is ideal for Web video, Social media, General storage. Its MIME type is video/mp4.

How to open .mp4 files

  1. macOS: Use native Preview/Quick Look or import into professional apps that support MP4.
  2. Windows: Open via Photos, Media Player, or dedicated editors by enabling the relevant codec pack.
  3. Browser: Drag the file into FileConvert to transform it into a universally supported alternative before sharing.

Popular Conversions

Convert MP4 to...

MP4 to WebM
MP4 to AVI
MP4 to MOV
MP4 to MKV
MP4 to MP3
MP4 to GIF

Convert to MP4

WebM to MP4
AVI to MP4
MOV to MP4
MKV to MP4
FLV to MP4
3GP to MP4

FAQs about MP4

How do I open a .mp4 file?

You can open MP4 files with native tools on Mac, Windows, and Linux or convert them for free using FileConvert.

Is MP4 still relevant in 2025?

MP4 remains essential for Web video thanks to its universal compatibility benefit.

How do I convert MP4 into other formats?

Visit our MP4 conversion directory to switch between MPEG-4 Part 14 and 200+ alternatives without uploading files.