How to open a .mpg file
Quick, free ways to open MPEG on any system.
A .mpg file is a MPEG-1/2 Video. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads MPEG yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .mpg file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .mpg. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with VLC or Windows Media Player.
- On Mac, use VLC or QuickTime.
- On Linux, try VLC or mpv.
- Still stuck? Convert the .mpg to mp4, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .mpg files
Windows
- VLC
- Windows Media Player
- MPC-HC
macOS
- VLC
- QuickTime
- IINA
Linux
- VLC
- mpv
- ffmpeg
!
Before you open it: Safe. MPEG video is a media stream decoded by a player.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .mpg file?
Almost always because no installed app understands MPEG. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
How do I open an .mpg file?
Almost any player opens it; VLC is the safe choice on every system. To modernise it, convert to MP4.
What is the difference between MPG and MP4?
MPG is older MPEG-1/2 video; MP4 is a modern container usually holding efficient H.264 or H.265. MP4 gives smaller files at the same quality.