Video format
What is a .avi file?
AVI is Microsoft’s video container from 1992. It was the standard on Windows for years, and many older recordings and DivX or Xvid films still use it.
It has no good support for modern codecs, subtitles or streaming, and browsers don’t play it. MP4 is the usual replacement.
fileclay opens and writes AVI
AVI vs MP4 vs MKV
| AVI | MP4 | MKV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern codecs | Poor support | Yes | Yes |
| Subtitles | No real support | Basic | Full tracks |
| Browsers | No | All | Limited |
| Best for | Old files and software | Sharing and the web | Films with many tracks |
When to use AVI
Good for
- Keeping old recordings as they are
- Software that only reads AVI
- Older DVD players with DivX support
Not a good fit
- Publishing on a website
- New recordings: MP4 is smaller and more compatible
- Phones and tablets
How to open .avi files
| Platform | App | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Media Player | Depends on the codec |
| macOS | VLC, IINA | QuickTime opens few of them |
| Any system | VLC | Plays nearly every codec |
| Android | VLC | Free |
Convert AVI files
From AVI
All 46 output formats: .mp4, .webm, .mkv, .mov, .gif, .m4v, .mpeg, .mpg, .ts, .m2ts, .mts, .m2v, .mxf, .ogv, .flv, .vob, .wmv, .asf, .divx, .3gp, .3g2, .ivf, .mp3, .wav, .m4a, .m4b, .ogg, .oga, .opus, .aac, .flac, .aiff, .aif, .wma, .ac3, .mka, .caf, .au, .tta, .wv, .mp2, .png, .jpg, .jpeg, .webp, .bmp
Conversions run in your browser. Files aren’t uploaded.
How to identify a .avi file
AVI uses the RIFF container: “RIFF”, four bytes with the size, then “AVI ”.
It’s read here, in your browser. Only the first bytes.
Your file
What comes after
Questions about AVI
Why won’t my AVI play?
The codec inside is usually missing. VLC includes nearly all of them.
Is AVI better quality than MP4?
Not by itself: quality depends on the codec. Old AVI codecs are less efficient.
Does converting AVI to MP4 lose quality?
Usually a little, because old codecs have to be encoded again.
Do browsers play AVI?
No.