There are many fantastic video formats available. However, it can be overwhelming to choose one for your specific project. To help you out, we’ve created the following cheat sheet so that you can easily select the best video file formats for your particular needs.
YouTube
YouTube accepts many formats, including MOV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MP4, MPG, AVI, and WMV.
However, AVI and MP4 will be the most universal choices for most users, especially if you plan to use the file on other websites or platforms.
For Windows Users, WMV may be your best choice if you use Windows Movie Maker.
TikTok
MOV and MP4 are TikTok’s preferred video formats, but this platform also accepts AVI, MPEG, and 3PG files
Instagram
Instagram prefers the MP4 format but will also accept MOV or GIF if you like that format personally.
Website videos
WEBM or HTML5 videos are quick to load and ideal for viewing on a website
MP4 and AVI videos are another great choice because they are universally accepted.
Sharing
MP4 files are ideal for sharing because they are universally accepted, so your recipient will definitely be able to open the file regardless of their device or browser.
For email, we suggest WMV files if you and the recipient are using a Windows computer because of the file’s small size.
Recording
MTS files are a popular choice among Sony and Canon users because of their incredibly high resolution and 3D video capabilities.
If you want to burn your video to a DVD, film in MPEG-2.
Editing
WMV is ideal for Windows users editing with Windows Movie Maker.
If you’re looking to burn DVDs or create movies, consider MPEG-2 or MKV file types.
MOV files are a favourite among Apple users for video editing.
Storing on Phone
MP4 files are small and compatible with nearly every device, making them a great choice for storing on a phone.
MKV files are also compatible with Android phones 6.0+.
For Apple products, consider using an HEVC file type.
High-quality
AVCHD is one of the highest-quality video files available.
If you have a Sony or Canon camera, consider using an MTS file for high resolution.
4K
MTS files offer 4K resolution and 3D video support.
AVCHD is an excellent choice for 4K, high-definition projects.