Online Tool Store
Video File Format Identifier
Enter a video file's name, extension, and basic properties to identify its likely container and codec, plus which players typically support it.
🔒 This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to a server.
Local analysis · nothing is uploaded
Video File Format Identifier
Analysis result
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Video details
Analysis details
How it works
- Drop in a video file or pick one from your device.
- The file is read locally — its leading bytes are checked against known container signatures.
- See the detected format, a confidence status, and video details such as duration, resolution, and frame rate.
The method
The file signature (magic bytes) identifies the container — MP4, MOV, WebM, MKV, AVI, and other common formats — rather than trusting the filename extension, so a mislabeled file is flagged as an extension mismatch. Duration, dimensions, aspect ratio, and frame rate come from the browser's native video APIs. Everything runs in your browser; the file is never uploaded.
FAQ
What's the difference between a container and a codec?
The container (like MP4 or MOV) is the file wrapper holding video, audio, and metadata; the codec (like H.264 or HEVC) is how the actual video data is compressed inside it.
Why does the same extension play differently on different devices?
A container like MP4 can hold different codecs — some devices support certain codecs and not others, so two MP4 files can behave very differently even with the same extension.
Does this analyze the actual video file?
Yes — the file is read in your browser. It checks the leading bytes (the file signature) to identify the container and uses the browser video APIs for duration, resolution, and frame rate. Nothing is uploaded. For a full codec-level breakdown of every format, use a dedicated media info tool.
Can it identify the exact video codec, like H.264 or HEVC, not just the container?
Yes — it scans the file for known codec identifiers (such as avc1 for H.264, hvc1 for HEVC, vp09 for VP9, or av01 for AV1) alongside the container format. If no known codec identifier is found in the scanned region, it's reported as unidentified rather than guessed.
Is this as accurate as VLC or a dedicated media info tool?
For quick container and codec identification plus basic properties, yes. For a deep bitstream-level breakdown (bitrate, exact profile/level, every audio track), a desktop tool like VLC's Media Information or a dedicated media info app goes further.
How we compare
| Feature | Online Tool Store | Media info desktop app | Trial-and-error playback testing |
|---|---|---|---|
| No software install | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Quick to start | ✓ | Setup required | Slow |
| Free to use | ✓ | Free | Free |
For a quick compatibility check without installing a media analysis app, this gets you a fast answer.