What happens when you convert MOV to MKV
| Inside a typical MOV | H.264 or HEVC (H.265) video with AAC audio |
|---|---|
| Copy without re-encoding | Yes, almost always: MKV accepts any codec, so streams are copied in seconds |
| When re-encoded | H.264 video with AAC audio |
| Extra tracks | Your file's first video and audio track are kept |
| Opens in | VLC, mpv, Plex and most smart TVs; browsers, iPhones and editors often do not |
Sizes are typical values; your files will vary with content and settings.
MOV QuickTime Movie
MOV is Apple's QuickTime container and the format iPhones and many cameras record to. It often holds HEVC or ProRes video, which keeps quality high but files large.
MOV converterMKV Matroska Video
MKV is an open container that can hold almost any codec plus multiple audio tracks and subtitles. It is popular for archived films and series.
MKV converterHow to use the MOV to MKV Converter
- 1
Choose a MOV file or drop it onto the page.
- 2
Review the video options. The defaults suit most files.
- 3
Click Convert and download your MKV when processing finishes.
Why convert MOV to MKV?
MOV files come from iPhones, QuickTime screen recordings on a Mac, and many cameras. Windows players, Android and many websites handle MOV inconsistently. Choose MKV to repackage video without re-encoding, since it accepts any codec.
Frequently asked questions
Will the MKV lose quality?
Both formats are lossy, so converting re-encodes the data once more. Using a high quality setting keeps the generational loss very small. Avoid converting the same file back and forth repeatedly.
Does converting MOV to MKV re-encode the video?
Yes, almost always: MKV accepts any codec, so streams are copied in seconds. A typical MOV contains H.264 or HEVC (H.265) video with AAC audio. Otherwise the result is H.264 with AAC audio.
Questions about privacy, file-size limits or conversion speed are answered in the general FAQ.