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AVI to MKV Converter

Turn AVI files into MKV in a couple of clicks. Legacy Microsoft container. Widely readable, inefficient. Flexible container that holds any codec, subtitles and tracks. The output is re-encoded, so quality depends on the settings you choose.

On your deviceNever uploadedGone when you close the tabHow this works

Drop your files here

AVI files (.avi) · up to 512 MB each

or paste files from your clipboard

Ready when you are

Drop a AVI file above and FileTools360 will turn it into MKV — right here on your device, without uploading anything.

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How to use it

  1. 1

    Add your AVI files

    Drag them onto the upload area, choose them from your device, or paste them from your clipboard. You can queue several at once.

  2. 2

    Adjust the settings if you want to

    The defaults suit most people. Open Advanced to control codec, resolution and bitrate, the audio track and start and end times.

  3. 3

    Convert and download

    Press Convert. Everything happens on your own device — nothing is uploaded. Download files one by one, or grab them all as a ZIP.

AVI and MKV explained

AVI is a Microsoft container from 1992. It predates modern video compression and lacks features taken for granted today, such as proper support for variable frame rates and modern codec metadata.

Matroska is a container designed to hold essentially anything: any codec, unlimited audio tracks, subtitle tracks, chapters and attachments in one file. It is the format of choice for archiving films with multiple languages.

Where AVI files come from
Old camcorders, legacy Windows software and archived downloads.
Where MKV is used
Media archives, anime and film collections, and high-quality recordings.

AVI vs MKV

The two formats solve different problems, which is why converting between them involves trade-offs rather than a straight upgrade.

AVI compared with MKV
PropertySourceTarget
CompressionContainer (depends on codec)Container (depends on codec)
AnimationYesYes
Introduced19922002
Browser supportWide but dated. Not supported in browsers.Great in VLC and media servers, poor in browsers.
AVI is stronger at
Readable by very old software. Simple, well understood structure.
MKV is stronger at
Holds any codec. Unlimited audio, subtitle and chapter tracks. Open and well documented.

Why convert AVI to MKV?

People make this switch when they run into the limits of AVI: almost always. Converting to MP4 is nearly always the right move. MKV is the better fit when archiving or watching in a capable player such as VLC or a media server.

AVI limitations that prompt the switch
Inefficient — much larger than MP4 for the same quality. No browser support. Poor handling of modern codecs and variable frame rate.
What you give up
Browsers will not play it. Many TVs, phones and editors reject it.

Does converting AVI to MKV reduce quality?

Both formats store the content without discarding data, so this conversion preserves it exactly. The file size may change because the two formats compress differently, but the content itself is unaffected.

About these formats

Source

Audio Video Interleave

Legacy Microsoft container. Widely readable, inefficient.

Extensions
.avi
MIME type
video/x-msvideo
Best for
Older Windows software · Legacy hardware
Compatibility
Wide but dated. Not supported in browsers.

Target

Matroska Video

Flexible container that holds any codec, subtitles and tracks.

Extensions
.mkv
MIME type
video/x-matroska
Best for
Multi-track video · Archiving · Media servers
Compatibility
Great in VLC and media servers, poor in browsers.

Good to know

AVI to MKV Converter — questions

Runs entirely in your browser

FileTools360 by the numbers

521 converters and tools65 file formatsnothing ever uploaded.