How to use the Convert Video for YouTube Upload
- Choose your video.
- Keep "High" quality: YouTube re-compresses everything, so give it a good source.
- Convert and download the MP4.
- Upload it in YouTube Studio.
YouTube's recommended format
YouTube recommends MP4 with H.264 video, AAC-LC audio and the "moov atom" at the front of the file (fast start). This preset uses H.264 High profile at high quality, keeps your original resolution and frame rate, and encodes 48 kHz stereo AAC.
Common upload problems this fixes
- "Processing abandoned" for unusual codecs.
- Missing sound from AC3 or PCM audio.
- Very slow processing from huge, inefficient files.
Good to know
Output is MP4 with H.264 video (yuv420p, the colour format every player supports), AAC stereo at 48 kHz, and the index moved to the start of the file so playback and uploads begin immediately.
Supported files
MP4, MOV, MKV, WEBM, AVI, WMV, FLV, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, MPEG, MPG, TS, MTS, M2TS, VOB, OGV, MXF, ASF, DIVX, F4V, SWF, DV, MOD, TOD, WTV, RM and RMVB video, with H.264, HEVC, VP8, VP9, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, WMV, Theora and other codecs. AV1 videos cannot be read in the browser yet. Files up to 1 GB each.
Frequently asked questions
Does this download YouTube videos?
No. This page only prepares your own video for uploading. Downloading videos from YouTube is against its terms.
Do I have to pay or sign up to use the Convert Video for YouTube Upload?
No. There is no account, no payment and no watermark. The only limit is 1 GB per file, set by what browsers can handle.
Are my files safe?
Yes. Files are converted locally in your browser and are never uploaded. When you close the page, nothing is left behind.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes. Open the page in your phone's browser and choose a file. Phones have less memory than computers, so very large files are better converted on a laptop or desktop.