Compress MKV (Keep Quality or Exact MB)

Q: Is MKV or MP4 better for compression?

MKV is flexible and keeps multiple tracks, while MP4 is universally supported. FitToMB lets you choose either path while keeping the same target size.

Q: Will subtitles and audio tracks stay intact?

Yes-when you keep MKV we preserve soft subtitles and extra audio tracks. When converting to MP4 you can pick which tracks to include.

Q: Do I lose quality when shrinking MKV?

Stick to the recommended bitrate ranges or enable HEVC/AV1 and you can retain excellent quality even at lower sizes.

MKV packs video, audio, subtitles, and chapters together. Keep the container or convert to MP4/HEVC for smaller uploads-FitToMB handles both paths.

Need a quick preset? Jump to 25MB, 50MB, or 100MB guides, or use the all-in-one compressor.

Choose your MKV compression path

MKV can store multiple audio tracks, subtitles, and chapters. FitToMB lets you keep the container or convert to MP4/HEVC while hitting an exact size goal.

Keep MKV

Re-encode the streams with a precise target in MB. Ideal when you need to retain chapters and soft subtitles.

Choose a preset (25MB, 50MB, 100MB) or enter a custom target.
Preserve multiple audio tracks and subtitle streams.
Two-pass H.264/H.265 keeps quality while locking size.

Convert to MP4/HEVC

Swap containers for universal playback. Perfect for email, LMS uploads, and mobile viewing.

Export to MP4 (H.264 + AAC) or HEVC for extra savings.
Burn in subtitles or export a separate .srt if needed.
Lean on the 25MB, 50MB, or 100MB playbooks.

Quick MKV tips

Check source bitrate: Anything over 20 Mbps has plenty of room to shrink without visible loss.
Trim audio tracks: Drop commentary tracks or lower audio bitrate to 128 kbps unless you need full-fidelity music.
Use the math: The Video Bitrate Calculator maps your duration to the exact bitrate required.

Need export guidance? Start with the MP4 compression guide, and when sharing to communities read the AV1 for Discord guide for modern codecs.

Resolution & bitrate cheat sheet

Plan your encode before you hit start-these guardrails keep MKV quality high.

Clip length	Resolution	Suggested video bitrate	Mode
< 5 minutes	1080p @ 30 fps	8-10 Mbps	CRF 20 (H.264) or CRF 23 (HEVC)
5-12 minutes	1080p @ 24 fps	5-7 Mbps	Target bitrate ~6 Mbps ≈ 50MB
12-20 minutes	720p @ 30 fps	3-4 Mbps	Plenty for MKV tutorials with subtitles
> 20 minutes	720p @ 24 fps	2-3 Mbps	Split chapters or switch to HEVC/AV1

CRF vs target bitrate: CRF adapts quality when size can float; switch to target bitrate for exact MB goals.

Need more context? Our 100MB guide and 50MB guide show real-world presets.

Publishing browser assets? The WebM workflow covers VP9/AV1 settings and exact-size presets.

FAQ

Is MKV or MP4 better for compression?

MKV is more flexible, but MP4 is the most compatible container. Use MKV when you need multiple audio or subtitle tracks; use MP4 when you need simple playback everywhere.

Will subtitles and audio tracks stay intact?

Yes-FitToMB retains soft subtitles and extra audio tracks when you keep MKV. If you convert to MP4, choose which tracks to include or burn subtitles into the video.

Do I lose quality when shrinking MKV?

Not if you pick a reasonable bitrate. Stick within the cheat sheet above, use two-pass encoding, and consider HEVC/AV1 for high-motion content.