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AVI MOV
File conversion

Convert AVI to MOV

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Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jun 23, 2026
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Is it possible to convert AVI to MOV?
Yes - AVI converts to MOV.

You can do it right here with our free converter - no sign-up, and your file is deleted right after.

The fastest path is the free converter above - upload your AVI and download the MOV. The video is re-encoded from DivX/Xvid to H.264, so there is a small quality loss, but at default settings it is rarely noticeable.

Also to MOV: MXF · R3D · MPEG4

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Sep 2026

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Why convert AVI to MOV?

AVI is an older Microsoft container that Apple editing tools such as Final Cut Pro do not handle cleanly, while .MOV is Apple's native QuickTime container. Clients delivering to Apple-based post-production workflows often specifically request MOV. For general web or device playback, MP4 is a better target - convert to MOV only when the destination workflow requires it.

How to convert AVI to MOV

HandBrake OPEN-SOURCE

Open your AVI in HandBrake, set the output filename to end in .mov, select H.264 as the encoder, and click Start Encode.

AviDemux OPEN-SOURCE

In AviDemux, set Video to H.264 and Audio to AAC, select the MP4 muxer, and save with a .mov extension.

Command line - FFmpeg CLI

Run ffmpeg -i input.avi -c:v libx264 -c:a aac output.mov to re-encode to H.264 and AAC in a MOV container.

Programs that convert AVI

Miro Video Converter
Nero Multimedia Suite
MyVideoConverter
Aimersoft DRM Media Converter for Windows
Aimersoft iTransfer for Windows
Apple TV Video Converter
AviDemux
ConvertXtoDVD

About these formats

.AVI Audio Video Interleave

An AVI file is a video container created by Microsoft in 1992. To open one, use VLC media player - it includes the DivX/Xvid codecs old AVIs need and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android…

Open .AVI details →
.MOV Apple QuickTime Movie (.mov)

A MOV file is an Apple QuickTime movie - the default format for video recorded on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. On a Mac, double-click it to play in QuickTime Player. On Windows 10/11, the…

Open .MOV details →

Quality & what to watch

  • AVI to MOV is a full re-encode, not a container swap - the DivX or Xvid video must be decoded and compressed again as H.264.
  • Some quality loss is unavoidable when going from one lossy format to another, but at HandBrake's defaults or FFmpeg's CRF 23 the difference is hard to see.
  • MOV and MP4 share the same underlying container structure; if MOV is not specifically required, convert to .mp4 instead for wider compatibility.

Frequently asked questions

Will converting AVI to MOV lose quality?
Yes, a small amount - the video is decoded from DivX/Xvid and re-compressed as H.264. At standard settings the loss is barely visible, but avoid re-encoding the result again as each round compounds the loss.
Can I convert AVI to MOV without re-encoding?
Only if the AVI already contains H.264 video and AAC audio (uncommon). In that case FFmpeg can stream-copy with ffmpeg -i input.avi -c copy output.mov, but most AVIs require a full re-encode.
Is MOV better than MP4 for this conversion?
No - MOV and MP4 use the same underlying structure and H.264 codec. Convert to MOV only if your editing workflow or client specifically requires it; MP4 is more compatible everywhere else.
Why is my MOV file smaller than the original AVI?
H.264 is far more efficient than the DivX or Xvid codecs most AVIs use, so the same content takes less space. A smaller file is normal and does not mean quality was reduced beyond what the CRF setting allows.