What is a Video File Extension?
A video file extension is a suffix at the end of a video file; every video file has a unique file format depending on which the file extension could be .mp4, .webm, .avi, .mov, .mkv, etc.
A video file format or extension stores video data digitally, containing audio and visual data, subtitles and other metadata required for video playback. MP4 (or MPEG-4 Part 14) is the most commonly used video file format that is compatible with almost every device or video player.
Top Video File Extensions
- MP4: MP4 is a universally used video file format launched in 2001, containing information on the audio/video streams, subtitles and other metadata. It is one of the most efficient formats for compressing video files without significantly deteriorating quality.
- WEBM: It is an open-source file format used in video distribution. It is known for its high compression levels, which makes it suitable for sharing videos on the web. However, WEBM provides lower video quality than other file formats.
- MOV: Developed by Apple for QuickTime player, MOV is another widely used file format that provides exceptionally high-quality videos. It contains information on timecodes, subtitles, videos and audio.
Other popular video file formats are AVI, WMV, FLV, and more. Different video codecs are combined with different formats to boost the compatibility of video files across diverse platforms.