---
title: ".avi file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .avi file is an Audio Video Interleave. Microsoft's 1992 video container, still common in old archives and camcorder footage. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/avi/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .avi files

**.avi file: Audio Video Interleave**

Microsoft's 1992 video container, still common in old archives and camcorder footage.

## What opens a .avi file

- **Windows:** VLC, Media Player (built in), MPC-HC
- **macOS:** VLC, IINA
- **Linux:** VLC, mpv, Videos / Totem (built in)

## What a .avi file is

AVI was introduced with Video for Windows and is a simple container that can hold nearly any codec. It has no proper support for modern features like variable frame rate, subtitles or files over 4 GB without extensions, which is why it has been replaced by MP4 and MKV. Old AVI files sometimes use codecs Windows no longer ships, so VLC — which carries its own decoders — is the reliable way to play one.

## Converting it

A .avi file is commonly converted to .mp4, .mkv, .mov, .webm or .gif. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .avi
- **Full name:** Audio Video Interleave
- **Category:** Video
- **MIME type:** video/x-msvideo
- **Created by:** Microsoft
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .avi file?

On Windows use VLC; on macOS use VLC; on Linux use VLC. Microsoft's 1992 video container, still common in old archives and camcorder footage.

### What is a .avi file?

Audio Video Interleave. AVI was introduced with Video for Windows and is a simple container that can hold nearly any codec. It has no proper support for modern features like variable frame rate, subtitles or files over 4 GB without extensions, which is why it has been replaced by MP4 and MKV.

### Can I convert a .avi file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .mp4, .mkv, .mov, .webm or .gif, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.mp4 — MPEG-4 Part 14 Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mp4/)
- [.mov — QuickTime Movie](https://atoneplace.net/file/mov/)
- [.mkv — Matroska Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mkv/)
- [.srt — SubRip Subtitle](https://atoneplace.net/file/srt/)
- [.webm — WebM Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/webm/)
- [.ts — MPEG Transport Stream](https://atoneplace.net/file/ts/)
- [.wmv — Windows Media Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/wmv/)
- [.mpg — MPEG-1 / MPEG-2 Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mpg/)
- [.m4v — iTunes Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/m4v/)
- [.vtt — WebVTT Caption](https://atoneplace.net/file/vtt/)
- [.swf — Shockwave Flash Movie](https://atoneplace.net/file/swf/)
- [.mts — AVCHD Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mts/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)