How to Convert a WebM File to an MP4 with VLC for Free

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: July 14, 2024

This wikiHow teachers you how to use VLC Media Player to convert a WebM video file to the MP4 format. If you haven't already downloaded VLC Media Player for Windows or macOS, you can do so for free at https://www.videolan.org.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Windows

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You will find it in the Windows Start menu, or by typing "VLC" into the Search bar.
The Media menu is at the top-left corner of VLC.

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This opens your file browser.
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Select the WebM file and click Open. You should now see the full path to the WEB file in the Open Media window.
- If you want to convert more than one file at once, hold down the Ctrl button as you click each file when selecting.
It's at the bottom of the window.
The option you need, Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4), is the first option in the menu.
Now you'll have to create a file.
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Rename the file and click Save. You'll want to replace ".webm" with ".mp4" at the end of the file name at the very least. If you want to save the file to another folder, select that folder as well.
- Make sure you also don't change the value of the "Save as type" menu, which should say "Containers (*.mp4)."
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Click the Start button. This converts the WebM file to the MP4 format and saves it at the selected location.
- The conversion can take several minutes depending on the size of the file (and the number of files you're converting). A progress bar will keep you informed of the remaining time.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Mac

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You will find it in your Applications folder.
The File menu is at the top-left corner of your screen. The Convert & Stream window will open.
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Drag the WebM file to the "Drop media here" rectangle. Another option is to click the Open media… button below the large arrow, select the file in the file browser, and then click Open.^{[1]
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- You can convert multiple WebM files at once if you'd like—just drag all of the files you want to convert to the rectangle at the top of the window, or hold down the Ctrl key as you click multiple files when selecting them from the file browser.
The option you'll need is called Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4). It should be pre-selected, but if not, select it from the menu now.
It's in the lower-right area of the window.
Type the name you'd like to give the file into the "Save As" blank, and choose the desired location from the "Where" menu.
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Click the Save button. It's at the bottom-right corner. This will convert the WebM file to the MP4 format and save the output to the selected location.
- The conversion may take several minutes depending on the file size and the number of files you're converting. A progress bar will remain visible during the conversion process.