Video format
The F4V format
F4V is an MP4-style file from late-era Flash video. Adobe introduced F4V in 2007 as the MP4-based successor to FLV for Flash Player.
When to use F4V
Convert F4V to MP4 for anything modern; the video inside is usually already compatible.
It is best for nothing today; convert old Flash-era video, and it opens on VLC and some editors; browsers don’t recognize the extension.
How to open it: VLC plays F4V files.
| Full name | Flash MP4 Video |
|---|---|
| Extensions | .f4v |
| MIME type | video/x-f4v |
| Introduced | 2007 |
| Compression | Lossy |
| Usually contains | H.264 video with AAC audio |
| Support | Legacy format |
| Typical size | The same as the equivalent MP4 |
Good at
- Same H.264 video as MP4 inside
Not so good at
- The extension confuses players and upload forms
The common mistake
Because F4V already holds H.264 and AAC, it usually moves into MP4 without re-encoding at all.
Questions
What is an F4V file?
F4V (Flash MP4 Video) is an MP4-style file from late-era Flash video. Adobe introduced F4V in 2007 as the MP4-based successor to FLV for Flash Player.
How do I open an F4V file?
VLC plays F4V files.
How do I convert F4V to another format?
Pick the target on this page, or open the Video Converter, drop the F4V file and choose a format. It converts in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.