How to Compress an MKV File –10 Fast & High-Quality Methods

Movavi Video Converter provides a number of different compression and conversion features. It allows users to easily compress any media files, including MKV, without compromising the quality at all.

This MKV compressor can be used on both Windows and macOS computers, and it can turn one video file type into another quickly and reliably. There is also a compression feature, which is the perfect optimizer for those who want to reduce the size but keep the quality as close to the original as possible. Before compressing files, users can also make some edits, like adjusting the video quality, cut and trim videos, add subtitles, and more.

A lot of users who are looking for a downsizer tool or a way to compress MKV files opt for HandBrake due to the fact that it is totally free and open-source. In spite of being free, it is available for all of the main operating systems, so it has wide compatibility and compression options. MKV is just one of many file types that it can handle. Keep in mind that some users are a little critical of the layout. It isn’t always easy to work out which tools to use or how to start the conversion, and it is easy for a beginner to make a mistake. So we mainly recommend this option for more advanced users.

How to compress files using HandBrake

1. Install and launch HandBrake.
2. Click Open Source and add your MKV file.
3. Under Preset, pick an option like Fast 720p30, or manually adjust video codec (H.264/H.265) and resolution.
4. In the Video tab, lower the bitrate or input a higher CRF value (22-28).
5. Click Start Encode to begin compressing.

FFmpeg is another open-source option, and there is no denying its power. This app can act as MKV compressor software and is very reliable in terms of the output. It also gives users a lot of control on aspects like the bitrate and resolution. It can compress 4K videos down to 1080p or lower qualities as well as making the video smaller in file size, so it is easier to transfer.

One downside is the fact that it relies on commands that can be quite complex if you don’t understand them. The interface assumes some level of knowledge on file types and even coding. FFmpeg is not just used for video files, there are lots of options for different file types, and it is perhaps easier to make a slip-up or error when using this kind of software. The interface does not provide simple button controls. If you can get to grips with the commands, though, this is an easy and free way of doing things.

How to compress files using FFmpeg

1. Install FFmpeg and open the terminal or command prompt.
2. Navigate to your MKV file’s directory.
3. Run this command: ffmpeg -i input.mkv -c:v libx265 -crf 28 -c:a aac -b:a 128k output.mkv

Wait for FFmpeg to finish. The new file output.mkv will be smaller.

VideoProc Converter AI is another software that can compress files with relative ease, and it is designed to be more of a user-friendly option. This is part of a suite of tools that allows users to convert and compress lots of file types, including MKV and others. It also boasts some AI tools within the suite it provides.

VideoProc Converter will come with a cost to unlock all of the features, and on top of this, the Mac version is lacking some of the features. It may be worth paying for an option like this if you find yourself regularly converting files, but there are other options with similar features. The biggest upside is likely how easy it is to use the software and how intuitive it is.

How to compress files using VideoProc Converter AI

1. Download and install VideoProc Converter AI.
2. Import your MKV file.
3. Choose Video mode, select output format, and customize resolution or bitrate to reduce size.
4. Click Start to compress the video.

A lot of people have become used to VLC as a free and open-source option for watching a variety of file types. This is a powerful media suite, and it also allows users to convert and compress as well as watching a wide variety of different file types.

Some may consider this to be a “hidden feature” of VLC, due to the fact that it is not necessarily obvious how to find and use the conversion tool within the program. VLC has an option to lower bitrate and even trim the video itself. Compression usually turns videos into MP4s in a H.264 format, and there are different encoding options that users need to find in the settings area of their media player.

This isn’t the easiest way to compress and convert files, and it is easy to get something wrong (like a codec or a bitrate setting). But VLC can be a great option for converting an occasional file, and so many people already use VLC for watching videos – it may as well be their conversion tool.


How to compress files using VLC

1. Open VLC and go to Media > Convert/Save.
2. Add your MKV file and click Convert/Save.
3. Choose a profile such as Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4).
4. Click the wrench icon to lower resolution or bitrate if needed.
5. Select a destination file and click Start.

MiniTool Video Converter is a Windows-based converter that has a lot of different features and support for over 1,000 file types. It is not only MKV compressor software but also conversion and compression software for loads of different video files.

The program also has the option to download from video sites, such as YouTube, but some of the features are reserved and are only available for the customers who pay a monthly fee. MiniTool is also not available for Mac and Linux, which is a downside, but for Windows users it is straightforward to use as well as reliably reducing file sizes. MiniTool Video Converter also has a screen-recording option.

How to compress files using MiniTool Video Converter

1. Install and open MiniTool Video Converter.
2. Click Add Files and select your MKV video.
3. Choose an output format and customize compression settings.
4. Click Convert All to start.

Clideo is a simple online tool, which means users can simply drag and drop a file and compress and convert it to a smaller file right in a browser. It works perfectly for .mkv files and though it has some limitations, it is one of the most convenient ways to tweak a short video.

Like many other forms of software, Clideo has a premium version. Some of the videos will be watermarked unless you have a monthly membership to the software. Long videos can be a challenge but this is good for short, browser-based compression, such as preparing a video for social media or sending it in an email.

Clideo’s paid plan is also a more affordable option than some of the competing options. It links perfectly with Dropbox and Google Drive for file storage, and this means that you don’t have to even store files locally on your hard drive.

How to compress files using Clideo

1. Visit Clideo.com.
2. Upload your MKV file or select it from Google Drive/Dropbox.
3. Choose Compress Video and wait for processing.
4. Download the compressed version (free plan may include a watermark).

People who are looking for a simple, browser-based way to convert their videos will find InVideo to be a suitable option. This is actually a whole suite of tools, and users can access editing functions as well as stock footage and more if they subscribe and pay either a monthly or a lifetime fee.

The interface allows users to easily choose a video file and then select how much they want to compress it on a sliding scale, with up to 80% compression possible.

InVideo really couldn’t be much simpler to use, but it also means that users don’t have a great deal of control over things like file types and bitrates. The full suite of tools is also needed to remove the watermark and access the other features.

How to compress files using InVideo

1. Go to InVideo.
2. Upload your MKV file.
3. Adjust compression settings or quality sliders.
4. Download the smaller file (note: free users may get watermarks).

VEED.IO is very similar in terms of its business model when compared to InVideo. It also has a free, browser-based option for users looking to convert and compress their MKVs into smaller files.

There are more tools within the VEED.IO suite but these require a paid membership. There are also watermarks applied to the free videos if you don’t want to pay for the signup fees. Videos are securely handled, and the site is safe to use.

VEED.IO has a lot of different tools that are focused on social media and templates for converting and using videos for these use cases. It may be worth the subscription for those with a particular focus on compressing videos for advertising and social media uses.

How to compress files using VEED.IO

1. Visit VEED.IO.
2. Upload your MKV file.
3. Choose compression settings (resolution, quality, or format).
4. Click Compress Video and download the result.

Yet another online tool is Video Candy, which doesn’t support quite as many file types as some of the other online tools, but does provide an option to convert MKVs into other mainstream file types.

There are a lot of free tools and, like other browser-based options, the option to go premium if you are looking to compress longer videos or want to remove the watermark. Though not everybody wants to pay for an effective MKV converter or optimizer, it may make sense as this is one of the more affordable options.

Video Candy is secure and can convert relatively large videos considering the basic, browser-based nature. It also has some tools within the browser that can give even more options, such as basic editing functions. If users want to make a video shorter or perform other edits, this is possible, though it is limited to simple functionality.

How to compress files using Video Candy

1. Open Video Candy.
2. Upload your MKV file.
3. Choose output format and compression level.
4. Download the reduced-size video once it’s processed.

There really are a huge number of different options for those who need to find an online or desktop MKV converter. Users can make simple conversions and compress videos within their browsers, but these options often come with a watermark, and this can be a big downside (especially when it comes to sharing the video). Our guide shows different options as well as the pros and cons of each way of performing the conversion and minimizing the file size.

So you’ve saved space but now your crisp MKV looks like it’s been filmed through a foggy window. Don’t worry, it’s fixable. Try these quick moves to bring the sharpness back:

• Raise the bitrate slightly. This is the fastest way to recover detail without undoing all your compression work.
• Switch to H.265. This codec is the new answer: lower files, better quality, less angst.
• Ease off the downscaling pedal. Trimming from 1080p to 720p is fine; anything less starts to look like one of those old YouTube videos from the early 2000s.
• Start fresh, not twice-compressed. Go back to your original file instead of compressing the one you already compressed, it's like taking a photocopy of a photocopy.
• Preview first, before you save. Full-screen preview, good light, honest eyes. If still not perfect, tinker some and try again.