How to open a .mkv file
Quick, free ways to open MKV on any system.
A .mkv file is a Matroska Video. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads MKV yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .mkv file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .mkv. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with VLC or MPC-HC.
- On Mac, use VLC or IINA.
- On Linux, try VLC or mpv.
- Still stuck? Convert the .mkv to MP4, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .mkv files
Windows
- VLC
- MPC-HC
- Media Player (Windows 11)
macOS
- VLC
- IINA
- mpv
Linux
- VLC
- mpv
Web
- Not natively, convert to MP4 or WebM
!
Before you open it: Safe. MKV is a media container.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .mkv file?
Almost always because no installed app understands MKV. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
Why won't my MKV play on my phone or browser?
MKV is not natively supported by most browsers and many phones. Play it in VLC, or convert it to MP4.