What is MP4?

MPEG-4 Part 14 (container) (.mp4). The most compatible web video container; a safe default for delivery.

Last updated: 2026-03-18

MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14 (container), .mp4) is a video container format that uses container compression. The most compatible web video container; a safe default for delivery. It supports animation. Common uses include web embeds, product videos, social clips.

Quick facts

Extension
.mp4
Type
Video container
Compression
container
Transparency
No
Animation
Yes
MIME type
video/mp4

Common uses

  • web embeds
  • product videos
  • social clips

Delivery notes

  • Strong default for delivery with predictable playback.
  • Consider WebM as an alternative for modern browsers.

What to do with optimo

npx optimo video.mp4

Related conversions

More video formats

Frequently asked questions

What is MP4?
MPEG-4 Part 14 (container) (.mp4) is a video format. The most compatible web video container; a safe default for delivery. It uses container compression and animation.
What is MP4 used for?
MP4 is commonly used for: web embeds, product videos, social clips.
How do I optimize MP4 files?
Run "npx optimo video.mp4" in your terminal. Optimo applies format-specific compression to reduce MP4 file size while preserving quality.