Video conversion: choosing the right format

A practical guide to MP4, WebM, MOV and audio extraction for everyday workflows.

MP4 remains a practical default for broad playback compatibility, while WebM is often useful for browser-first delivery. MOV is common in editing workflows and can be larger depending on the codec.

When converting, focus on the codec, resolution, bitrate and intended destination rather than the file extension alone. Re-encoding can reduce quality, so avoid unnecessary conversion steps.

For audio extraction, MP3 is convenient for spoken content and general listening, while WAV preserves uncompressed audio at a larger file size.