Free | How to Convert MP4 to MKV on Windows/Mac/Online

Jane Zhou updated on May 25, 2021 to Video Editing Tips | How-to Articles

Are you still bothered by converting MP4 to MKV? Take it easy. On this page, we will introduce six offline and online programs to help you convert MP4 to MKV on Windows, Mac, and online.

MP4 video format is used widely today as many operating systems and video players are compatible with it. However, in terms of video quality, it is not as good as the MKV. That's why more and more people are looking for methods to convert MP4 to MKV. If you are one of those people, you are in the right place. This post will show you six MP4 to MKV converters to assist you in completing this task. 

How to Convert MP4 to MKV on Windows PC

To satisfy Windows users' needs to convert MP4 to MKV, we will provide two video converters in this part. Both of them are extremely popular and have great reputations. 

1. EaseUS Video Editor

EaseUS Video Editor is an all-in-one video editing program. It is friendly to both novices and pros. Using it, you can make movie trailer, modify audio files, convert file formats, extract audio from video, etc.. All the tasks can be completed within a few simple clicks with EaseUS Video Editor.

Here is the list of stunning features:

  • Clear user interface
  • Over 300 visual and transition effects enable you to add a professional touch to your movie
  • Support all key video, audio, and image formats
  • Allow you to cut, trim, rotate, split, reverse videos
  • Enable you to add voiceover and mosaic to your video
  • Offer a video speed changer software to modify the speed

To convert MP4 to MKV quickly and effortlessly, you can work with EaseUS Video Editor by checking the tutorial steps.

Step 1. Import and edit videos

Open the EaseUS Video Editor and import the video. Since it supports almost all possible video formats, it won't give you a problem if your video is from a different source.

Once imported, you can add it to the timeline and edit the videos. It is possible to split, trim, delete part of the videos, which helps to reduce the size of the final video once you change video format.

Step 2. Select video format and resolution

Now that your video includes the right moments in the video, it's time to convert. Click on the Export link to open the window, which allows you to select a format. Along with the format selection, you can also configure three things—Quality, Video, and Audio.

  • Quality-High, Standard, and Low
  • Video-Choose encoder, resolution, frame rate, and bitrate
  • Audio-Encoder, Channel, Sample Rate, and bitrate

Step 3. Export video

Lastly, set the name, output folder, click on the Export button to render the video. The video output will in the format you choose under the video section.

2. VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is not just a tool for playing video and audio files. It can do a whole lot of other things like convert videos between different formats. It works great for most formats and works for most of you. Using it, you can easily swap video types.

Steps to convert MP4 to MKV using VLC:

Step 1. Download and launch VLC. In the top left corner, click "Media" > "Convert/Save..."

Step 2. Import the MP4 file that you want to convert. In the Open Media window, click "File" followed by "Add". Select the MP4 file in your folder. After that, choose the "Convert" button from the Convert/Save dropdown menu.

Step 3. In the next dialogue box, select MP4 as the output format. Click "Browse" to set a destination for the converted file. Then choose the "Start" option.

Step 4. The file position timer of VLC will start to increase like a progress indicator. Once it reaches the end, you will know that the conversion is completed.

How to Convert MP4 to MKV on Mac

In this part, we will show two free and open-source video converters for Mac users to convert MP4 to MKV. Just continue reading.

1. FFmpeg

FFmpeg is an open-source program that can handle multimedia, video, audio, and other file types. It uses the command-line for processing different files. Video converter is one of the many features supported by FFmpeg.  

Steps to convert MP4 to MKV with FFmpeg:

Step 1. Download and install FFmpeg. Press [Win+R] to open the Run box. Enter "cmd".

Step 2. In the command prompt, run the following command line. Then press "Enter" to convert MP4 to MKV.

Click to copy

Notice:

ffmpeg.exe: the position of ffmpeg.exe.

input.mp4: the saved position and the file name before video file conversion.

output.mkv: the output path, file name, and output format after conversion.

2. HandBrake

HandBrake is another open-source video transcoder. It allows you to convert video from nearly any format to a selection of modern, widely supported coders. To convert MP4 to MKV with HandBrake, you just need to refer to the following steps.

Step 1. Download and launch HandBrake.

Step 2. Click "Source" and choose the "Open File" option to import the MP4 file.

Step 3. Click the "Browse" to change the location where your converted file will be saved. Then select MKV as the output format.

Step 4. At last, click "Start" to convert MP4 to MKV.

How to Convert MP4 to MKV Online for Free

Apart from those offline, there are still a lot of MP4 to MKV converters online. Using these online tools, you don't need to install any software. Next, we will offer you two options for online the MP4 to MKV converters.

1. ConvertFiles

ConvertFiles is an excellent media file converter. It supports free conversion of an extensive list of file formats, including video, audio, document, image, presentation, etc.. Currently, the file size limit is 25MB. 

Step 1. Select the MP4 file from your computer using the browse function.

Step 2. Choose MKV as the destination format.

Step 3. Once the conversion is completed, download your converted file immediately.

2. AnyConv

AnyConv is another free MP4 to MKV converter. It supports over 300 file formats. When converting files with AnyConv, it will take care of your files out of harm's way and keep private. Moreover, it eliminates uploaded files after being done the conversion and will not be accessed by anyone.

Check the steps below to convert MP4 to MKV with AnyConv: 

Step 1. Click the "Choose File" button to select an MP4 file on your computer.

Step 2. Click the "Convert button" to start conversion.

Step 3. when the conversion process is complete, you can download the MKV file.

Conclusion

In this article, you have learned about six free and useful video converters that can help you convert MP4 to MKV on Windows PC, Mac, and online. You can pick the right one according to your situation.

If you are a Windows user, we sincerely recommend EaseUS Video Editor. This video editing software is a versatile video editor and converter. It allows you to convert and edit videos at the same time. In short, it's worth trying!  

Convert MP4 to MKV FAQs

If you have other questions about converting MP4 to MKV, you can rely on the following answers.

1. Can VLC convert mp4 to MKV?

Yes, VLC can convert MP4 to MKV.

Step 1. Import your MP4 file. Open VLC and click "File" > "Convert/Save" > "Add" >“Convert”. 

Step 2. Select MP4 as the output format. Then click "Browse" to set a location for the converted file.

Step 3. Choose the "Start" option to convert MP4 to MKV.

2. How can I convert MKV to mp4 for free?

If you want to convert MKV to MP4 for free, you can try many free converters. Here, we introduce EaseUS Video Editor to you.

Step 1. Download and launch EaseUS Video Editor.

Step 2. Import an MKV file and drag it to the timeline.

Step 3. Click "Export" and choose the "MP3" option. Here, you can adjust the quality and bitrate. After all down, click "Export".

3. Is MKV format better than mp4?

MKV files are multimedia container formats. An MKV container can incorporate audio, video, and subtitles into a single file—even if those elements use different types of encoding. This does not mean the quality of the MP4 file is not as good as MKV. Because MKV and MP4 are both container format, and they can encapsulate the same video and audio.

4. How do I convert MP4 video to AVI?

EaseUS Video Editor can help you convert MP4 to AVI.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Video Editor and choose an aspect ratio.

Step 2. Import MP4 file and load it to the timeline.

Step 3. Click "Export" and select the "AVI" option. Then click "Export" to convert MP4 to AVI.