YouTube to MP4 Converter & Video Downloader

A free online YouTube video downloader that keeps it simple

An internet connection is not always there when you need it. You might be on a flight, in a classroom with weak Wi-Fi, or in a meeting room where your own video has to play without buffering. In each case, an MP4 copy of the YouTube video solves the problem, because it plays offline in any video player.

This downloader works only with YouTube links and only creates MP4 files, so every option on the page is about video. It picks the H.264 format whenever YouTube offers it, since H.264 plays on practically every phone, TV, laptop and editing app. Then it joins the picture and sound into one tidy file, ready to download in a few taps.

How to use the YouTube to MP4 Downloader

1. Copy the YouTube URLTap Share under the video and choose Copy link, or copy the address from your browser bar. Shorts links and youtu.be links work too.
2. Paste the linkPaste the URL into the box at the top of this page.
3. Choose a resolutionPick 720p HD for a good balance, 1080p Full HD for large screens, or 240p to 360p to save data.
4. Convert and downloadTap Convert to MP4 and watch the circle fill up. When it reaches 100%, tap the round Download button to save the MP4.

Download a YouTube video to MP4

YouTube to MP4 in HD: from 240p to 1080p

Resolution decides how sharp the video looks and how much space it takes. A 1080p file looks crisp on a TV, while a 360p copy of the same video can be ten times smaller. Use this guide to choose before you download.

• 240p and 360p. Tiny files for slow connections, phones with little storage, or talks where the picture matters less.
• 480p. Clear enough for faces and on-screen text on a phone or tablet.
• 720p HD. Sharp on laptops and most monitors while keeping files reasonable.
• 1080p Full HD. Best for TVs, projectors and video editing. Files are roughly twice the size of 720p.

Why a 1080p option may be missing

A download can never be sharper than the original upload. So, if a creator uploaded in 720p, choosing 1080p gives you the best version that exists, which is 720p. Older videos and some Shorts may only be available in lower resolutions.

Download YouTube videos on iPhone, Mac, Android and Windows

Because this YT video downloader runs online in your browser, there is nothing to install on any device. On Windows or a Mac, copy the link from the address bar, paste it here and download. The MP4 lands in your Downloads folder and opens in QuickTime, VLC or the Windows Media Player.

On an iPhone or iPad, open this page in Safari and convert as usual. Safari saves the MP4 to the Files app, inside Downloads. To move it to your Photos, open the file, tap Share and choose Save Video. On Android, Chrome saves the MP4 to Downloads, and it then appears in your Gallery or Photos app.

Try the YouTube to MP4 downloader

Save YouTube Shorts as MP4

Shorts work just like regular videos. Copy the link from the Share button of a Short, paste it above and convert. You get a vertical MP4 that keeps the original frame, so it looks right when you play it back on your phone. Note that a Short is usually available only in the resolution its creator uploaded.

What makes a good YouTube video downloader?

Plenty of sites promise to be the best YouTube video downloader, yet many hide the real button between ads or push you to install an app. Here is what we think matters, and how this tool measures up.

• Free, with no watermark. Your MP4 is a clean copy of the video, with no logo stamped on the picture and no time limit.
• Real HD quality. Choose up to 1080p Full HD, with picture and sound joined in one file.
• Works on any device. Phone, tablet or computer, with no app or browser extension to install.
• Plays in any MP4 player. H.264 video plays on iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, smart TVs and video editors.

Is this YouTube downloader safe?

Yes. Many download sites carry pop-up ads, fake download buttons or installers bundled with unwanted software. This one has none of that: one Convert button, one Download button, no sign-up and no extension. The video is prepared on our server and deleted automatically within 30 minutes.

Download responsibly

Save videos you made yourself, videos that are clearly licensed for re-use, such as Creative Commons, or videos you have permission to keep. YouTube’s terms do not allow other downloads, and copyright law may apply where you live. MP3 Converter is an independent tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by YouTube or Google.

Need audio only, or a video from another site?

If you only want the sound, our YouTube to MP3 converter saves it as audio at up to 320 kbps. Already downloaded the MP4? Then you can pull the soundtrack out with our MP4 to MP3 converter. And for videos hosted on other websites, try the Online Video Downloader.

Frequently asked questions