The industry-standard container format for digital video with universal compatibility
MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) is a digital multimedia container format that can store video, audio, subtitles, and still images. Standardized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2003, it has become one of the most widely used formats for video storage and streaming worldwide.
The MP4 format is based on the QuickTime File Format (QTFF) developed by Apple. It's important to understand that MP4 itself isn't a compression method but a container that can hold various types of compressed video and audio using different codecs. Common video codecs used within MP4 include H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, VP9, and AV1, while AAC is the standard audio codec.
MP4's combination of good compression efficiency, broad compatibility, and support for streaming has made it the dominant format for online video, digital distribution, and device playback. It's the standard format for platforms like YouTube, social media sites, and virtually all digital video services.
MP4 uses an object-oriented structure where various elements (video, audio, subtitles, etc.) are stored in separate "atoms" or "boxes" within the file. This modular structure allows MP4 to support a wide range of features, including multiple audio tracks, subtitles in different languages, chapters, and metadata. The format also supports advanced features like fragmented MP4 (fMP4) for adaptive streaming and progressive download, which are essential for online video delivery.
MP4 is the backbone of online video, used by platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and most social media sites. Its support for progressive download allows viewers to start watching before the entire file is downloaded, while adaptive streaming features enable automatic quality adjustments based on available bandwidth.
MP4 is widely used for digital distribution of movies, TV shows, and other video content. Its efficient compression makes large video files manageable for downloading, while still maintaining high visual quality suitable for entertainment content.
For smartphones and tablets, MP4 offers the perfect balance of quality and file size. Its excellent compatibility with virtually all mobile devices makes it the format of choice for video content created for or consumed on mobile platforms.
Many digital cameras, smartphones, screen recorders, and video recording software use MP4 as their default output format due to its broad compatibility and reasonable file sizes. H.264 encoding in an MP4 container has become the standard for consumer-level video recording.
While not ideal for professional archiving (which typically uses lossless formats), MP4 with high-quality settings is commonly used for personal and semi-professional video archiving, offering a good balance between quality preservation and storage efficiency.
MP4 is supported by virtually all modern devices:
MP4 files can be played in nearly all video software:
While the MP4 container format is universally supported, compatibility of specific files depends on the video and audio codecs used inside the container:
| Feature | MP4 | MKV | WebM | AVI | MOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | |||||
| Codec Support | |||||
| Streaming Support | |||||
| Feature Set | |||||
| Open Standard | |||||
| Overall Efficiency |
MP4 offers the best balance of compatibility and features for most use cases. MKV provides the most extensive feature set but with less universal support. WebM is optimized for web use with excellent efficiency. AVI is an older format with wide compatibility but limited features. MOV is similar to MP4 but more closely tied to Apple's ecosystem.
When converting from other formats to MP4, selecting the right codec settings is crucial. H.264 provides the best compatibility, while H.265 offers better compression at the cost of higher processing requirements and less universal support. For best quality, use a CRF (Constant Rate Factor) value between 18-23 with H.264, or 22-28 with H.265.
When converting from physical media to MP4, consider the content type when choosing settings. For film content with grain, use slightly higher bitrates to preserve detail. For animation, lower bitrates often suffice. Always maintain the original aspect ratio and frame rate for authentic presentation.
Camera footage, especially from DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, often comes in high bitrate formats. When converting to MP4, balance between quality preservation and file size reduction. For archival purposes, use minimal compression; for sharing, standard web optimization settings work well.
MP4 is not ideal for editing due to its interframe compression. When converting for editing purposes, choose intraframe formats like ProRes, DNxHD, or Cineform. This will make the files larger but significantly improve editing performance and avoid quality degradation during post-production.
When optimizing MP4 files for web use, consider using the two-pass encoding method with target bitrates appropriate for your distribution channel. For HD content, 5-8 Mbps is good for high quality, while 2-4 Mbps works well for standard web use. For 4K content, 15-20 Mbps is recommended for high quality.
For mobile devices, especially in bandwidth-constrained environments, convert MP4 files to more efficient sizes by reducing resolution and bitrate appropriately. 720p at 2-3 Mbps provides a good experience on most smartphones while conserving data. Consider AAC audio at 128-192 kbps for good quality with small file sizes.