How to convert MOV to MKV
- Add your .MOV file - drop it in the box above or click to browse.
- Convert it to .MKV in a few seconds.
- Download your new .MKV file.
What to expect
- When the audio and video codecs are compatible,
ffmpegcan copy the streams into MKV with no re-encode, so there is no generational quality loss. - MKV preserves multiple audio and subtitle tracks and chapter markers; QuickTime-specific metadata may not map across.
- Some playback hardware (TVs, phones) rejects MKV even though the codecs inside are standard.
Frequently asked questions
Does converting MOV to MKV reduce video quality?
It does not have to. MKV is a Matroska container, and the H.264 or HEVC video and AAC/PCM audio already inside a MOV can be repackaged (remuxed) into MKV with
ffmpeg without re-encoding, so the picture and sound are copied bit-for-bit. Quality only changes if the streams are deliberately re-encoded.Why convert a MOV to MKV?
MKV is an open, EBML-based container that can hold multiple audio tracks, subtitle tracks and chapters in a single file, which the QuickTime MOV container handles less flexibly. It is also a neutral, non-proprietary wrapper favored for archiving and playback outside the Apple ecosystem.
Where will the resulting MKV file play?
VLC media player opens MKV on any desktop platform, and the built-in Media Player on Windows 11 plays it as well. Some TVs and phones do not accept MKV, in which case remuxing to MP4 is the usual next step.
Is anything lost moving from MOV to MKV?
When the streams are copied without re-encoding, the video and audio are identical. Some QuickTime-specific metadata or timed-metadata tracks may not carry over, since the two containers store that information differently.
Programs that convert MOV: Miro Video Converter · Aimersoft iTransfer for Windows · AviDemux · ConvertXtoDVD · Free Studio · Freemake Video Converter · MediaCoder · Movavi Video Converter Personal
