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How to download a YouTube video as MP4

Save any public YouTube video as an MP4 file in up to 1080p, on a phone or computer, in four steps.

Updated

MP4 is the format almost everything understands: phones, laptops, TVs, PowerPoint, every video editor. If you want a YouTube video you can watch offline or drop into a project, MP4 is the one to get. It takes about a minute.

What you need

Just the link to a public YouTube video and a browser. There's no app or extension to install. You'll need a free account to download, which comes with 3 free downloads.

Step by step

  1. Copy the video link. On a computer, click the address bar and copy the URL. In the YouTube app, tap Share under the video, then Copy link.
  2. Open the YouTube downloader and paste the link into the box.
  3. Leave the selector on Video. MP4 is already chosen.
  4. Press Download. We prepare the file on our server and your browser saves it, usually to the Downloads folder.

What quality will I get?

We take the best version YouTube has, up to 1080p Full HD. The resolution you get depends on what the uploader posted. A video uploaded in 720p will download in 720p, and a video from 2009 might only be 360p. No downloader can add detail that isn't in the source, so if a file looks soft, check the quality options on YouTube itself first.

If a video looks blurry after downloading, our guide on blurry downloads goes through the usual causes.

When to pick something other than MP4

MP4 covers most needs. A few cases where another format helps:

  • MOV if you edit in iMovie or Final Cut and want the file to feel at home on a Mac.
  • MKV if you use VLC or Plex and like keeping everything in one container.
  • WebM if you're putting the video on a web page.

The video format guide compares all four.

Videos that won't download

Private videos, members-only videos, age-restricted videos that need you to sign in, and live streams can't be downloaded. Paid films on YouTube are protected with DRM, so they won't work either. If a public video fails for another reason, the attempt doesn't use a credit, and our troubleshooting guide lists what to try.

Tips

  • Long videos take longer to prepare. Keep the tab open until the download starts.
  • Your file is deleted from our server 15 minutes after it's ready, so save it when it appears.
  • Only want the sound? Switch to Audio and you'll get an MP3. See YouTube to MP3.