File Extension Database

Open MKV File

MKV is one of the extensions that Matroska format files can have.

What is Matroska?

Matroska is a project to create a multimedia container format with no limits on the number of video, audio, image, or subtitle tracks in a file.

Matroska Multimedia Container is similar in concept to other containers such as AVI, MP4 or Advanced Systems Format, except that it is an open standard.

MKV is an open source and free software container format, and one of its main characteristics is its enormous versatility.

MKV can contain an unlimited amount of video, audio, or subtitle tracks within a single file.

What does this mean? Well, for example, if you have a movie in this format, within the same file you can have an unlimited number of audio files to watch it in different languages. Multiple video tracks, in the case of a series, would allow multiple chapters to be contained in a single file.

However, you should consider that the more tracks a single file has, the larger it will be and the more disk space it will take up.

Beyond these qualities, as we read on its official website, the Matroska format also includes fast searching within the file, chapter entries, full metadata support, and the ability to be extended using modules.

It also has DVD-style menus.

One of the most notable features of an MKV file is that it can be played over the Internet and local networks, via streaming (HTTP, CIFS, FTP, etc).

The MKV format is one of the most used to play movies in high definition or digitize Blu-rays.

In other words, for comparison, if you download a video, for example, in AVI format, you'll know that it's low resolution, and if it's MKV, you'll be sure that it's high definition.

Instead, its difference from other popular containers like MP4 is that MKV supports more codecs and video and audio formats.

This is especially important as the MP4 format becomes less and less compatible, especially with older players.

MKV's open format container concept means, in other words, that when we want to merge multiple files into one MKV, which would do as a container box, they could have a wider variety of formats.

MKV and Windows 10

If we have Windows 10 we won't have to worry about playing the MKV, since this operating system incorporates compatibility with this type of file natively, so we will be able to see them without problems with the player that it has integrated.

Finally, and although you won't find them that often, it should also be said that Matroska-type files can have various formats, namely:

MKVs are video files, which can include subtitles and audio.

On the other hand, there are the MKA only for audio files.
The MKS for subtitles.
MK3D that are used to play stereoscopic videos, or in 3D.

Software to open and work with an MKV file

This list is very extensive, given the high compatibility of the MKV format, therefore we will only include the most common players:

MKV file details

MKV file extension is exclusively used by MatrosKa Video files. MKV files contain multimedia streams in open-source matroska multimedia container format. The purpose of this format is to allow storage of unlimited number of multimedia streams in a single file. MKV files in particular contain video streams and optional subtitles and audio.

Matroska is the Russian word for "nesting doll". Several dozen such dolls can be nested one into the other much like video streams in the MKV file format. This software project was originally started in 2002 and is still being developed. File extension File extension mka is used to store audio streams in MMC format, while file extension File extension mks is used to store standalone subtitle streams. Matroska multimedia container is not to be confused with file extension File extension MMC which is used by Microsoft Management Console files.

These is a large number of video players that can open MKV files ad support playing video streams from MKV files including but not limited to: "BS.Player", "DivX Player", "HandBrake", "Kaffeine", "MPlayer" and others.

How Can I Open MKV File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open MKV file is to find a MKV file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a MKV file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open MKV file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as MKV file opener then try to search online for "MKV viewer", "application to open MKV file" or "open MKV file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open MKV file

How Can I Open MKV File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a MKV file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a MKV file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with MKV file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as MKV file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open MKV file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open MKV file then try to search for "MKV viewer", "application to open MKV file" or "read MKV file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read MKV file

How Can I Open MKV File on Android

If you downloaded a MKV file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded MKV file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "MKV".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "MKV viewer", "MKV file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open MKV File on iPhone or iPad

To open MKV File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the MKV file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "MKV". This way you can find apps which can open MKV files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "MKV viewer" or "MKV file" online in your favorite search engine.

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