---
title: ".webm file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .webm file is a WebM Video. A royalty-free video container built for the web, based on Matroska. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/webm/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .webm files

**.webm file: WebM Video**

A royalty-free video container built for the web, based on Matroska.

## What opens a .webm file

- **Windows:** Any web browser, VLC, Media Player (built in)
- **macOS:** Any web browser, VLC, IINA
- **Linux:** Any web browser, VLC, mpv, Videos / Totem (built in)
- **In a browser:** Any web browser

## What a .webm file is

Google introduced WebM in 2010 as an open, patent-free option for HTML5 video; it holds VP8, VP9 or AV1 video with Vorbis or Opus audio. Browsers play it everywhere, and it is what YouTube actually serves to most desktops. Outside the browser it is less universal — video editors and TVs often want MP4 instead — and VLC handles it where a built-in player will not.

## Converting it

A .webm file is commonly converted to .mp4, .mkv, .gif, .mp3 or .mov. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .webm
- **Full name:** WebM Video
- **Category:** Video
- **MIME type:** video/webm
- **Created by:** Google / WebM Project
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Any web browser; on macOS use Any web browser; on Linux use Any web browser. A royalty-free video container built for the web, based on Matroska.

### What is a .webm file?

WebM Video. Google introduced WebM in 2010 as an open, patent-free option for HTML5 video; it holds VP8, VP9 or AV1 video with Vorbis or Opus audio. Browsers play it everywhere, and it is what YouTube actually serves to most desktops.

### Can I convert a .webm file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .mp4, .mkv, .gif, .mp3 or .mov, 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/)
- [.avi — Audio Video Interleave](https://atoneplace.net/file/avi/)
- [.srt — SubRip Subtitle](https://atoneplace.net/file/srt/)
- [.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/)