AVI to MKV converter
Convert AVI to MKV free online. Wrap your video in a modern Matroska container with chapter and subtitle support. No signup, 500 MB limit.
Drop a file to convert here
or click to browse
About Matroska Video Container
Common Use Cases
- Upgrading legacy AVI files to a modern container
- Adding subtitle and chapter support to AVI content
- Organizing media libraries in a consistent format
AVI is a rigid, aging container with limited metadata and subtitle support. MKV (Matroska) is a modern, flexible container that can hold any video and audio codec, multiple subtitle tracks, chapter markers, and rich metadata. Converting AVI to MKV gives your video files modern capabilities without necessarily re-encoding the video itself.
AVI is limited to basic video and audio streams with no chapter or soft subtitle support. MKV supports unlimited tracks of any type, chapter markers, attachments, and rich metadata in a single file.
Why Convert AVI to MKV?
Add subtitle support
MKV supports embedded soft subtitles in SRT, ASS, and other formats. AVI has no native subtitle track support, forcing you to use separate sidecar files or burned-in text.
Chapter markers
MKV supports chapters for easy navigation within long videos. AVI has no chapter support at all.
Multiple audio tracks
MKV can hold multiple audio tracks (different languages, commentary) in a single file. AVI is generally limited to one audio stream.
Future-proof container
MKV is actively maintained, supported by every major media player, and is the default format for Plex, Jellyfin, and media server software.
When to use each
Use AVI when...
- Legacy software requires AVI input
- Feeding into old capture hardware
- Maximum compatibility with vintage players
- Simple single-stream video and audio
- Working with ancient editing software
Use MKV when...
- You need subtitle tracks in the file
- You want chapter markers for navigation
- Building a media library in Plex or Jellyfin
- You need multiple audio or subtitle tracks
- Modern playback in VLC, MPV, or media centers
Common use cases
- Upgrading legacy AVI files to a modern container
- Adding subtitle and chapter support to AVI content
- Organizing media libraries in a consistent format
How to use
- Upload your AVI file. Drag and drop your AVI onto the upload area, or click to browse. Uploads are limited to 500 MB per file.
- Start the conversion. Click Convert File and FFmpeg remuxes the AVI streams into a Matroska container. If codec compatibility requires it, the video is re-encoded.
- Download your MKV file. Download the MKV and play it in VLC, MPV, Plex, Jellyfin, or any modern media player. Files are auto-deleted within 1 hour.
Frequently asked questions
- Is AVI to MKV a lossless conversion?
- In most cases, yes. The video and audio streams are copied directly into the MKV container without re-encoding. Only the container changes, not the media content.
- Will my DivX or Xvid AVI work?
- Yes. MKV supports virtually every video codec including DivX, Xvid, MPEG-4, H.264, and more. The streams are remuxed into MKV without issues.
- Can I add subtitles later?
- Yes. MKV supports embedded subtitle tracks. After conversion, you can use tools like MKVToolNix to merge external SRT or ASS subtitle files into the MKV.
- Will the file size change?
- For a remux, the file size stays virtually identical since the media streams are not modified. The MKV container adds minimal overhead.
- Is AVI to MKV conversion free?
- Yes. Anonymous visitors get a free daily cap, registered users get a higher limit, and Premium or Lifetime members get unlimited conversions.
- Is there a file size limit?
- Yes, 500 MB per upload.
- Which media players support MKV?
- VLC, MPV, MPC-HC, Plex, Jellyfin, Kodi, PotPlayer, and most modern media players handle MKV natively. Windows 10/11 also supports MKV playback in the built-in Movies & TV app.