# Compress MKV

> Compress Matroska Video (MKV) files online for free. The compressor re-encodes the video at a lower bitrate (and resolution on Strong). Runs in your browser, so your files never leave your device. Or set an exact target size.

URL: https://www.converterrr.com/compress-mkv

- Compression: lossy, runs in the browser (nothing is uploaded).
- API: `POST /api/v1/jobs` with `"operation": "compress"` and an optional `compression_level` or `target_size` (paid plans).
- Format: [MKV converter](https://www.converterrr.com/mkv-converter), [Compress videos](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-videos).

## What compression does to MKV

Re-encodes the video at a lower bitrate (and resolution on Strong).

- **Light:** Near-lossless: re-encodes conservatively and keeps the full resolution.
- **Balanced (default):** The default: looks the same for most uses, and typically 40–70% smaller.
- **Strong:** Smallest file: lower quality, and large videos are downscaled.

Need it much smaller? MP4 plays on phones, TVs and in every browser. [Convert MKV to MP4](https://www.converterrr.com/mkv-to-mp4).

## Need an exact size?

Set a target size or a percentage to reduce by. These pages preset common video sizes and take MKV too:

- [Compress video to 8 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-video-to-8mb): Chat app uploads
- [Compress video to 10 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-video-to-10mb): 10 MB upload limits
- [Compress video to 25 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-video-to-25mb): Email attachments
- [Compress video to 50 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-video-to-50mb): Portals & bigger uploads
- [Compress video to 100 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-video-to-100mb): Long videos, smaller

## How to compress MKV

1. **Add your MKV files.** Drag and drop MKV files onto the compressor, paste them, or click to browse. You can add several at once.
2. **Pick a level or a target.** Balanced is selected and suits most files. Choose Light to stay closer to the original or Strong for the smallest file, or set a target size or a percentage to reduce by.
3. **Compress.** Click Compress. Your MKV files are processed right in your browser, usually in seconds.
4. **Download.** Download each smaller MKV, or everything at once as a ZIP.

## Good to know

- MKV files are often high-bitrate recordings or rips. Compressing lowers the video bitrate and keeps the MKV container.
- Phones and browsers don't always play MKV. If you're sharing the video, converting MKV to MP4 is often the better choice.
- Need to meet an upload limit? Set a target size (or a percentage to reduce by) in the compressor and the video is compressed to fit.
- MKV compression runs entirely in your browser with WebAssembly, so nothing is uploaded and your files never leave your device.

## About the MKV format

MKV is a flexible open container that can hold unlimited video, audio and subtitle tracks in nearly any codec.

|  | MKV |
| --- | --- |
| Full name | Matroska Video |
| Type | Video |
| Extensions | .mkv |
| MIME type | video/x-matroska |
| Best for | movies and series with multiple audio and subtitle tracks |
| Properties | open standard |

## Compress other videos

[Compress MP4](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-mp4), [Compress MOV](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-mov), [Compress WebM](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-webm), [Compress AVI](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-avi)

## Compressing MKV: frequently asked questions

### How do I compress an MKV file?

Drop the MKV onto the compressor above, keep Balanced or pick another level, and click Compress. Download the smaller MKV when it's done; it usually takes a few seconds.

### Does compressing MKV reduce quality?

A little, by design: MKV is a lossy format. Balanced is tuned to look the same for most uses; choose Light if you want to stay closer to the original.

### How much smaller will my MKV get?

High-bitrate MKV recordings shrink a lot; MKVs that were already encoded efficiently shrink less.

### Can I compress MKV to a specific size?

Yes. Set a target size in the compressor, or a percentage to reduce by, and the file is compressed to land at or just under it.

### Is it safe to compress MKV files here?

Yes. MKV files are compressed inside your browser with WebAssembly and never uploaded to a server.

### Is the MKV compressor free?

Yes. Compression is free with no watermark and no sign-up, within the same daily allowance as conversions.

### Should I convert my MKV instead?

Sometimes. MP4 plays on phones, TVs and in every browser. The MKV to MP4 converter does that in one step.