Video formats: a quick reference for sane defaults

Video formats split into containers (MP4, MOV, WebM) and codecs (H.264, HEVC, AV1, VP9). Confusing the two is the most common mistake.

Why this matters today

MP4 + H.264 is the universal handshake. WebM + AV1 is the future. MOV is for editors. Pick by destination, not by habit.

A codec is a treaty; a container is the envelope.

In practice

Here is the part that turns theory into a habit:

• Start small — a single file, a single page, a single test.
• Measure twice. Trust the numbers, not the vibe.
• Keep an undo path. Reversible decisions buy you courage.

A note on tooling

Every tool on this site runs in your browser unless we say otherwise. That changes the trade-offs: nothing to upload, nothing to retain, nothing to leak. The downside is a small ceiling on file size and a dependency on your device's CPU — both acceptable for most editorial workflows.

Takeaway

Master what you want, deliver what they need.