Convert AVI to MKV
Turn your AVI file into an MKV that plays where you need it, with nothing to install.
- Free to start
- Nothing to install
- Up to 1GB
How to convert AVI to MKV
Upload your AVI file
Drag and drop an AVI file to turn into MKV, or click to browse. Anything under 1GB, and nothing is installed.
Confirm MKV as the output
MKV is already selected, so there is nothing to configure. Switch to another format in the panel if AVI needs to go somewhere else.
Convert and download
We convert the AVI on our servers, usually in under a minute. Create a free account to download the MKV.
Why convert AVI to MKV?
AVI is a Microsoft container from 1992. It still turns up in old archives, camcorder dumps and downloaded footage, but it predates modern compression and has no idea what a phone is.
The practical problem: Phones, browsers and social platforms do not play AVI at all. The legacy codecs inside waste enormous amounts of space compared with H.264. No support for modern features like proper streaming, chapters or clean seeking.
MKV solves that. Keeps multiple audio and subtitle tracks in one file.
Container
Typical codecs
Best for
Plays on
File size
| Feature | AVI | MKV |
|---|---|---|
| Container | Audio Video Interleave (Microsoft) | Matroska |
| Typical codecs | DivX, Xvid, MJPEG and other legacy codecs | Almost anything: H.264, HEVC, AV1, VP9 |
| Best for | Opening archive footage from the 2000s | Archiving with multiple audio and subtitle tracks |
| Plays on | Desktop players with the right codec pack | VLC and desktop players; rarely anywhere else |
| File size | Very large for the quality | Depends entirely on the codec inside |
AVI to MKV questions
Is the AVI to MKV converter free?
Yes. Convert and preview the result for free, then create a free account to download it. There is no per-file charge and no watermark on the MKV itself beyond the free-plan badge.
Do I need to install any software?
No. The conversion runs on our servers and you use it from a browser tab, so it works the same on Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone and Android. Nothing to install at either end. Where AVI plays: Desktop players with the right codec pack. Where the MKV you get back plays: VLC and desktop players; rarely anywhere else.
Does converting AVI to MKV reduce the quality?
Converting re-encodes the video, so it is not bit-for-bit identical. We encode at a high quality target, which keeps the result visually indistinguishable from the AVI on normal viewing. What changes is the container and the codec. MKV holds: Almost anything: H.264, HEVC, AV1, VP9. Converting the same file back and forth repeatedly will eventually show, so keep your original.
How large a file can I convert?
Anything under 1GB per upload, which is more footage in some formats than others. AVI: Very large for the quality. MKV coming back: Depends entirely on the codec inside. For anything bigger, trim or compress it first, both are free tools here.
Is my file kept private?
Your upload is processed and then held only as long as your project needs it. Nothing is published, indexed or shared unless you create a share link yourself.
Other formats
Everything else you can do here.
Every conversion for a format
Convert to MP4
Convert to WebM
Convert to AVI
Convert to WMV
Convert to 3GP
Convert to M4V
Convert to MPEG
Convert to GIF
Convert to MP3
Convert to WAV
Convert AVI to MKV now
Free, nothing to install, and the file stays open in a full video editor afterwards.