How to convert Y4M to WEBM
To convert Y4M to WEBM, upload your Y4M file, choose WEBM as the output format and press Convert. The finished WEBM file is ready to save to your phone or computer in seconds, free, with no watermark and no sign-up. Your file is deleted from our server about 30 minutes after the conversion.
This free online converter turns Y4M videos into WEBM files in your browser, with no software to install and no watermark. When the video and audio inside your Y4M file can be placed in WEBM as they are, the streams are copied without re-encoding, which is faster and keeps the original quality. Otherwise the video is re-encoded as VP9 video with Opus audio.
Reasons to switch from Y4M to WEBM
- Designed for the web and royalty-free
- Plays natively in Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Android
- Efficient VP9 compression
- Plays on: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Android and VLC; partial on Safari and iOS
What to expect from this conversion
- Expect a smaller file than the Y4M original, because WEBM compresses more efficiently.
- WebM uses VP9, which compresses very well but takes longer to encode than H.264, so large videos need patience.
- Y4M files are huge because they are uncompressed, so uploads can take a while on slower connections.
- The first audio track is kept. Subtitle tracks, extra audio tracks and chapters are not included in the converted file.
Y4M vs WEBM
| Property | Y4M | WEBM |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | YUV4MPEG2 | WebM |
| Released | 2000, MJPEG Tools / Xiph.Org | 2010, Google |
| Generation | Niche | Modern |
| Typical file size | Huge | Small |
| Plays on | ffmpeg, x264, x265, aomenc, VLC and other video tools | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Android and VLC; partial on Safari and iOS |
| Best for | benchmarking codecs; feeding raw video to encoders | embedding video on your own website; short looping clips and web animations |
Steps to convert Y4M to WEBM
- Drop your Y4M video file onto the converter, or click to choose it.
- Check that WEBM is selected as the target and adjust the options if you want.
- Press Convert, then download your new WEBM file when it finishes.
Tips for the best result
- Leave Fast mode on to keep the original quality whenever the streams can be copied.
- Pick a lower resolution if the file is for a phone or messaging app.
- Use Mute if you only need the picture.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert Y4M to WEBM?
Upload your Y4M file, make sure WEBM is the selected target and press Convert. When the progress bar finishes, download the WEBM file. No account or software is needed.
Is the Y4M to WEBM converter free?
Yes. It is free, with no watermark, no sign-up and no daily limit on how many files you convert. The site is supported by ads.
Will I lose quality when converting Y4M to WEBM?
Not necessarily. If the video and audio streams already fit inside WEBM, they are copied without re-encoding, so quality stays identical. If the file has to be re-encoded, the High setting keeps almost all visible detail, while Small trades some detail for a smaller file.
Why is my WEBM file smaller than the Y4M original?
Expect a smaller file than the Y4M original, because WEBM compresses more efficiently. Choosing a lower quality or resolution reduces the size further.
Which devices can play WEBM files?
WEBM files play on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Android and VLC; partial on Safari and iOS.
How large a file can I upload?
You can upload videos up to 500 MB. Files are deleted from the server about 30 minutes after conversion.