File Format Guide
What is a .WEBM file?
The WebM format (short for WebM video) is a video format that uses lossy compression, trading some fine detail for much smaller files. It acts as a container that packages video and audio streams together for playback. WebM files open natively in every modern web browser.
.WEBM at a glance
| Category | Video |
|---|---|
| Type | Video |
| Compression | Lossy |
| Animation / motion | No |
| Open standard | No |
| Opens in web browsers | Yes |
| Typical file size | Small |
How to open a .WEBM file
You can open WebM files with modern browsers and VLC. If a program on your device cannot read one, the quickest fix is to convert it to a more common format — no software install required.
WebM pros and cons
Strengths
- open format built for the web
- efficient VP9/AV1 compression
- plays natively in modern browsers
Limitations
- limited support in older desktop players and some editors
What .WEBM files are used for
- web-embedded video
- open-source playback
- HTML5 video
Need to convert a .WEBM file?
Convert WebM to and from other formats free in your browser — no signup to start, no watermarks.
Open the WebM Converter