Convert any video file to MKV format online for free. Fast, secure, and easy-to-use video to MKV converter with no software installation required.
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Max file size: 50 MBMax duration: 30 min
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Drag and drop your AVI file, or click to browse for it.
Choose MKV as the output and click Convert. The conversion runs on our servers, so your device does none of the work.
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Your file is used only to make your conversion. It is never published or shared, and the download link expires after one hour.
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How the two formats differ on the things that change your result.
| Specification | AVI (source) | MKV (result) |
|---|---|---|
| Container | RIFF AVI | Matroska |
| Developed by | Microsoft | Matroska.org |
| Introduced | 1992 | 2002 |
| Video codecs | MPEG-4 Part 2, DivX, Xvid | H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1 |
| Audio codecs | MP3, PCM, AC-3 | AAC, FLAC, Opus, AC-3, DTS |
| Max resolution | Full HD (1080p) | 8K UHD |
| Typical bitrate (1080p) | 2–12 Mbps | 8–40 Mbps |
| Multiple audio tracks | Yes | Yes |
| Subtitle tracks | Not supported | Embedded (soft) subtitles |
| Chapter markers | No | Yes |
| Streaming optimized | No | No |
| Licensing | Patents expired | Royalty-free |
| Plays natively on | Native: Windows · Needs a player: macOS, iOS, Android, Smart TVs | Native: Windows · Needs a player: macOS, iOS, Android, Smart TVs |
| Best for | legacy archives, Windows media libraries | media archives, multi-language releases, home theatre |
The video stream has to be fully re-encoded: AVI typically carries MPEG-4 Part 2, and MKV expects H.264. That means a real transcode, so allow for processing time and a small generational quality cost.
At 1080p, AVI typically runs around 7 Mbps while MKV sits near 24 Mbps, which is the main driver of the size difference you will see.
This is an older container, introduced in 2002, and browsers will not play it directly. It is best suited to archival or a dedicated player.
This page converts AVI video, stored in the RIFF AVI container since 1992, into MKV, which uses Matroska and dates from 2002. The codecs each container accepts decide whether the picture has to be re-encoded.
AVI comes from Microsoft and dates to 1992. It usually holds MPEG-4 Part 2, DivX, or Xvid video with MP3, PCM, or AC-3 sound, and those streams set the ceiling for anything converted out of it.
MKV comes from Matroska.org and dates to 2002. It holds H.264, H.265, VP9, or AV1 video alongside AAC, FLAC, Opus, AC-3, or DTS audio, and without installing anything it plays on Windows.
After converting your file, you can use Scriptivox transcription services to convert your audio to text. Perfect for meetings, interviews, podcasts, and more.
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