A YouTube video to MP4 converter lets you download any YouTube video as an MP4 file for offline viewing. MP4 is the most widely supported video format — it plays on virtually every device, operating system, and media player. This guide compares the best free converter tools, explains video quality settings, and walks you through the download process step by step.
Unlike YouTube to MP3 conversion which extracts only the audio track, MP4 conversion downloads the complete video with both picture and sound. This is ideal for saving tutorials, lectures, music videos, documentaries, and any content you want to watch without an internet connection.
How to Convert a YouTube Video to MP4
The process of converting a YouTube video to MP4 is straightforward regardless of which tool you choose:
- Copy the YouTube video URL. Open YouTube, find the video, and copy the URL from your browser's address bar. The URL format is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXXXXXXXXXX. - Open a YouTube to MP4 converter. Visit one of the tools listed in our comparison table below, or open a desktop application like 4K Video Downloader.
- Paste the URL. Enter the copied URL into the converter's input field.
- Select MP4 format and resolution. Choose MP4 as the output format. Select your preferred quality: 720p, 1080p, or 4K.
- Download. Click the Convert or Download button. The tool will process the video and provide a download link. Save the file to your device.
Best YouTube to MP4 Converter Tools Compared
We evaluated the most popular free YouTube video converter MP4 tools available. Here is how they compare:
| Tool | Type | Max Resolution | Batch Download | Ads | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4K Video Downloader | Desktop App | 4K (2160p) | Yes | None | Power users, playlists, highest quality |
| SaveFrom.net | Website | 1080p | No | Some | Quick one-off downloads |
| Y2Mate | Website | 1080p | No | Pop-ups | Fast online conversion |
| VLC Media Player | Desktop App | 4K | No | None | Users who already have VLC installed |
| NewPipe (Android) | Mobile App | 4K | Yes | None | Android users, privacy-focused |
| ClipGrab | Desktop App | 4K | Yes | None | Simple UI, multi-platform |
| Video DownloadHelper | Browser Extension | 1080p | Limited | None | Firefox/Chrome convenience |
How We Evaluated
We tested each tool by downloading the same 10-minute YouTube video in MP4 format at the highest available resolution. We evaluated download speed, output quality, format options, user interface, and the presence of ads or unwanted software. Desktop applications consistently outperformed online tools in quality and reliability.
YouTube Converter Video MP4 Format Explained
MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) is a container format that holds video, audio, subtitles, and metadata. When you download a YouTube converter video MP4 format file, it typically contains:
- Video codec: H.264 (most common) or H.265/HEVC (more efficient, smaller files at same quality)
- Audio codec: AAC (standard) or Opus (used by YouTube internally)
- Container: .mp4 file extension
MP4 is preferred over other formats like MKV, AVI, or WebM because of universal compatibility. Every modern device — phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, game consoles — can play MP4 files natively without additional software.
Video Quality Settings: 720p vs 1080p vs 4K
Resolution determines the clarity and detail of the video. Higher resolution means better quality but larger file sizes:
| Resolution | Pixels | File Size (per hour) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 480p (SD) | 854 × 480 | ~250 MB | Low storage, basic viewing |
| 720p (HD) | 1280 × 720 | ~500 MB | Mobile phones, tablets |
| 1080p (Full HD) | 1920 × 1080 | ~1.5 GB | Laptops, desktop monitors |
| 1440p (2K) | 2560 × 1440 | ~3 GB | High-resolution monitors |
| 2160p (4K) | 3840 × 2160 | ~7 GB | Large TVs, projectors |
Choose resolution based on your screen size and storage. Downloading in 4K when you will watch on a phone wastes storage without visible quality improvement. For most users, 1080p offers the best balance of quality and file size.
How to Convert Video with VLC
VLC Media Player is a free, open-source application that can both download YouTube videos and convert video with VLC between formats. Here is how to use it:
Method 1: Download from YouTube via VLC
- Open VLC and go to Media > Open Network Stream
- Paste the YouTube URL and click Play
- Go to Tools > Codec Information
- Copy the full URL from the "Location" field at the bottom
- Open this URL in your browser — the video will download directly
Method 2: Convert existing video files
- Open VLC and go to Media > Convert/Save
- Click Add to select your video file
- Click Convert/Save at the bottom
- Choose "Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4)" as the profile
- Set your destination file and click Start
VLC supports converting between virtually any video format: MKV to MP4, AVI to MP4, WebM to MP4, and more. It is completely free with no ads or watermarks.
Converting iPhone Video to MP4
If you need to convert iPhone video to MP4, the process depends on the source format. iPhones record video in either H.264/MP4 or HEVC/HEIF format (High Efficiency). HEVC files may not play on older devices or Windows computers.
To convert iPhone videos to standard MP4:
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and select "Most Compatible" to record directly in H.264/MP4
- On computer: Use VLC or HandBrake to convert HEVC files to H.264 MP4
- When sharing: AirDrop and iMessage automatically convert HEVC to H.264 for compatibility
How to Convert MKV Video to MP4
MKV (Matroska Video) files are common for high-quality video downloads but are not universally supported. To convert MKV video to MP4:
- VLC (Free): Use Media > Convert/Save as described above. Select MP4 output profile.
- HandBrake (Free): Open-source transcoder that handles MKV to MP4 conversion with detailed quality controls.
- FFmpeg (Free, command-line):
ffmpeg -i input.mkv -codec copy output.mp4— this remuxes without re-encoding, making it nearly instant if the codecs are compatible.
If the MKV file uses H.264 video and AAC audio (common), you can remux to MP4 without re-encoding. This is much faster and preserves the original quality. VLC and FFmpeg both support this.
Online vs Desktop YouTube to MP4 Converters
There are clear trade-offs between online and desktop YouTube video to MP4 converter options:
| Feature | Online Converter | Desktop App |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | None required | One-time install |
| Max quality | Usually 1080p | Up to 4K/8K |
| Batch downloads | Usually no | Yes (playlists, channels) |
| Ads | Common (pop-ups) | Usually none |
| Speed | Depends on server | Uses your bandwidth fully |
| Privacy | URL sent to server | Local processing |
For occasional single-video downloads, online converters are convenient. For regular use, playlists, or high-quality 4K downloads, a desktop application is significantly better.
Safety and Legal Considerations
Follow these safety guidelines when using YouTube to MP4 converters:
- Never download .exe files from converter websites. Legitimate converters produce .mp4 video files only.
- Use an ad blocker (like uBlock Origin) when using online converter sites to avoid malicious pop-ups.
- Verify the file extension before opening downloaded files. It should end in
.mp4. - Stick to established tools listed in our comparison table above.
Regarding legality: downloading YouTube videos generally violates YouTube's Terms of Service. However, downloading for personal, private use is a legal gray area. Downloading copyrighted content for redistribution is illegal. Public domain and Creative Commons content can be freely downloaded. Always respect copyright and creator rights.
Need just the audio instead of the full video? Check out our YouTube video to MP3 converter guide. For other free browser tools, try our scientific calculator online or our color picker from image tool.