What is an MPEG file?
MPEG stands for MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video. It was created by the Moving Picture Experts Group and first released in 1993. MPEG-2 is the video format of DVDs and broadcast TV. It needs roughly twice the bitrate of H.264 for the same picture, so converting to MP4 usually shrinks the file a lot.
MPG is the same format under another extension.
| Type | video |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy |
| Usually contains | MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video with MP2 audio |
| In a browser | does not play in most browsers; plays in VLC and desktop players |
| Common uses | DVD-era video, Video CDs and older camcorders |
| MIME type | video/mpeg |
Which format should you convert MPEG to?
- MPEG to MP4 to play on any phone, computer or TV, or to upload to YouTube and social media.
- MPEG to MOV to edit in iMovie or Final Cut Pro on a Mac.
- MPEG to MP3 to keep only the soundtrack, for music or a podcast.
- MPEG to GIF to share a short silent clip that loops anywhere.
MPEG is already lossy, so converting it to a lossless format makes the file bigger without improving it; pick a lossless target only if a program requires one.
How to open an MPEG file
Whether an MPEG file opens with a double click depends on the device. Here is what works on each, without buying software:
| Windows | Films and TV and Media Player open the common formats; VLC opens almost any video file, MPEG included. |
|---|---|
| Mac | QuickTime Player opens formats Apple supports; VLC or IINA open the rest. |
| iPhone and iPad | The Files app plays formats Apple supports. For others, a player such as VLC for iOS, or converting the file here, is the easiest route. |
| Android | Most gallery and music apps play the common formats; VLC for Android plays almost everything. |
| Web browser | MPEG does not play in most browsers; plays in VLC and desktop players. |
Want the technical details? See what a .mpeg file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
MPEG compared with other video formats
How MPEG stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPEG | Lossy | MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video with MP2 audio | 1993 | DVD-era video, Video CDs and older camcorders |
| MP4 | Lossy | H.264 or H.265 video with AAC audio | 2001 | phone videos, YouTube uploads, social media and streaming |
| MOV | Lossy | H.264, HEVC or ProRes video with AAC audio | 1991 | iPhone recordings, Final Cut Pro and screen recordings on Mac |
| MKV | Lossy | almost any codec, often H.264 or H.265 with several audio and subtitle tracks | 2002 | films and TV rips, OBS recordings and anime releases |
| WebM | Lossy | VP8, VP9 or AV1 video with Vorbis or Opus audio | 2010 | web video, screen recorders and browser-based recordings |
How to use the MPEG converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your MPEG files on the box, or press Choose MPEG files. Several files can go in at once.
- Adjust the settings if you need to; the defaults suit most people.
- Press Convert and save each file with its Download button. Nothing is uploaded at any point.
Tips for converting MPEG files without losing quality
MPEG is lossy, so some detail was already discarded when the file was made. Converting it cannot bring that back. Converting to a lossless format preserves what is left exactly but makes the file larger; converting to another lossy format adds a small extra loss, which is invisible at sensible settings.
- Keep the original recording. Every re-encode costs a little detail, so convert from the best copy you have, not from a file that was already converted.
- Know whether you need a new container or a new codec. MOV, MKV and MP4 can all hold H.264 video, and switching between them is fast and lossless; changing the codec means re-encoding, which is slower.
- For sharing, MP4 with H.264 at 1080p or 720p is the safe choice: every phone, browser and social network plays it.
- Phones record at very high bitrates. If a file is too big to send, lowering the resolution to 720p usually shrinks it far more than any quality setting.
Convert MPEG files from the command line
Everything this page does can also be done in a terminal. The most common MPEG conversion, to MP3, looks like this with ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.mpeg -vn -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k output.mp3Change the output extension to pick another format. The converter above runs the same ffmpeg engine inside your browser, so you get the result without installing anything.
MPEG converter FAQ
What is an MPEG file?
MPEG stands for MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video, a video format created by the Moving Picture Experts Group in 1993. MPEG-2 is the video format of DVDs and broadcast TV. It needs roughly twice the bitrate of H.264 for the same picture, so converting to MP4 usually shrinks the file a lot.
How do I open an MPEG file?
MPEG does not play in most browsers; plays in VLC and desktop players. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common MPEG conversion?
MPEG to MP3 is the conversion people search for most. MP3 holds sound only, so the picture is discarded and the soundtrack is encoded as MP3 at 192 kbps.
Does converting MPEG files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your MPEG files never leave your device.
Is the MPEG converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many MPEG files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert MPEG files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your MPEG files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several MPEG files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.