WMV to MKV Converter
Convert WMV to MKV online for free. Fast, secure, and high-quality conversion with no sign-up or software required.
Maximum file size is 1GB
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Three steps to your converted file
Everything happens in your browser tab - upload, pick a format, download. The heavy lifting runs on our servers.
Upload your file
Drag and drop, click to browse, or paste a URL. Batches take up to 20 files at once - 230+ input formats across video, audio, image, document, and archive types.
Choose an output format
Pick from over a hundred output formats. Filter by category or search by name - every option is open to everyone, no account needed.
Convert & download
Hit Convert and grab your download link moments later. Originals are erased when the job completes; results are cleared within about an hour.
What is a WMV file?
Windows Media Video (WMV) refers to a series of video codecs and their corresponding coding formats developed by Microsoft, typically encapsulated in the Advanced Systems Format (ASF) container. The format evolved through several iterations (WMV7, WMV8), culminating in WMV9, which was standardized by SMPTE as VC-1 (SMPTE 421M). WMV utilizes inter-frame compression and was originally designed for internet streaming applications and the Windows Media framework, supporting variable bit rate (VBR) and digital rights management (DRM).
How to open a WMV file
WMV files open natively in Microsoft Windows environments via Windows Media Player and the Movies & TV app. On macOS, native support is absent, requiring third-party tools such as VLC media player or the legacy Flip4Mac component for QuickTime. Cross-platform suites like MPlayer and DivX Player also support the ASF container and VC-1 codec family required to render WMV content.
WMV Technical Info
- Full Name
- Windows Media Video
- Developed By
- Microsoft
- Initial Release
- 1999
- MIME Type
- video/x-ms-wmv
What is an MKV file?
The Matroska Video (MKV) file is an open-standard, free container format capable of holding an unlimited number of video, audio, picture, or subtitle tracks in one file. Unlike proprietary containers, Matroska is structured upon Extensible Binary Meta Language (EBML), allowing for significant flexibility and forward compatibility. It supports a vast array of codecs, including H.264, VP9, HEVC, AAC, Vorbis, and FLAC, and is particularly noted for its support of soft subtitles (SSA/ASS) and chapter entries, making it a standard for high-definition video distribution (HD) and anime fansubs.
How to open an MKV file
Native support for MKV is available in Windows 10/11 via the Movies & TV app and generally on Linux distributions. macOS requires third-party software, as QuickTime Player does not natively parse the Matroska container. The industry-standard solution for all operating systems is VLC Media Player, which includes built-in libraries for decoding the diverse codecs often encapsulated within MKV files. Alternative options include MPV and MPC-HC (Windows).
MKV Technical Info
- Full Name
- Matroska Video Container
- Developed By
- Matroska (non-profit)
- Initial Release
- 2002
- MIME Type
- video/x-matroska
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Why RunConvert
The fastest way to convert any file
Purpose-built for speed, privacy, and breadth of format support.
Convert WMV to MKV in seconds
Every WMV to MKV conversion runs on our servers, so your device stays fast and the output quality stays intact.
Fast, cloud-powered
No queue, no waiting. Files are processed on high-performance servers and returned in seconds, even for large files.
Secure & private
Encrypted in transit and never shared with anyone. Uploads are erased the moment your job completes, and results shortly after.
Free - no account needed
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Developer API
Convert WMV to MKV via API
Automate WMV to MKV conversions in three steps: create a job, upload your file, then poll for the result.
# 1. Create job
curl -X POST https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"tag": "wmv-to-mkv",
"tasks": {
"upload-file": {
"operation": "import/upload"
},
"convert": {
"operation": "convert",
"input": "upload-file",
"output_format": "mkv"
},
"export-result": {
"operation": "export/url",
"input": "convert"
}
}
}'
# 2. Upload your file (use upload_url from the response)
curl -X PUT "$UPLOAD_URL" --upload-file input.wmv
# 3. Poll for result
curl https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs/$JOB_ID?include=tasks \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your RunConvert API key. Get your free API key at runconvert.com/api.