MKV Video — Open Matroska container supporting many codecs and tracks.
Quick facts
What is .mkv
A .mkv file is a MKV Video — Open Matroska container supporting many codecs and tracks.
In the mime-db registry it maps to video/matroska. When serving .mkv over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.
Related entities: it maps to video/matroska — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.
How to open .mkv files
Developer info
When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:
Content-Type: video/matroska
Common software that reads/writes .mkv:
Relation chain
Related extensions
Related MIME types
Common uses
How to edit .mkv files
How to create .mkv files
Frequently asked questions
Common options include VLC, MPV, HandBrake. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.
Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .mkv extension.
video/matroska is the media type identifier used for .mkv files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).
Sources & standards
Updated 2026-08-18
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