Video conversion
Convert MKV to AVI
Updated Jul 2026
MKV is a modern container that can hold almost any video codec, subtitles, and multiple audio tracks. AVI is an older Windows format that some legacy players and editing programs still expect. To convert, open the MKV in a converter and export it as AVI, right on your own computer, without uploading the file anywhere.
- Extension
- .mkv
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- High-quality video containers
- Extension
- .avi
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- Legacy Windows video
Convert MKV to AVI on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert MKV to AVI
- Open Morphjet and drag in the MKV file, or a whole folder of them, at once.
- Choose AVI as the output format.
- Convert. The AVI file is written next to your original, and nothing leaves your machine.
MKV vs AVI: what actually changes
| MKV | AVI | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Efficient, modern codecs keep it compact | Larger, since AVI relies on older, less efficient codecs |
| Codec support | Wide, holds nearly any video and audio codec | Narrow, built around older codecs like DivX and Xvid |
| Subtitles and chapters | Yes, built in | No native support |
| Multiple audio tracks | Yes | Limited, usually just one track |
| Compatibility with older software | Limited, many older programs can't read it | Wide, still recognized by legacy editors and hardware players |
| Quality | High, uses efficient modern codecs | Matches the original if the codec carries over, but often needs re-encoding, which costs a little quality |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert MKV to AVI when the video needs to open in an older editing program, a legacy hardware player, or software that was never updated to read MKV.
Keep the MKV if it already plays fine wherever you need it, since AVI's limited codec support can mean a larger file and a small quality loss on re-encode.
Why not just use an online converter?
Video files often hold personal footage, whether that's home movies, screen recordings, or something downloaded, and uploading one to a website for conversion means handing that footage to a server you don't control. Converting MKV to AVI on your own computer keeps the video on your machine the whole time, no matter how large the file or how many you convert.
Questions
Does converting MKV to AVI lose quality?
It depends on the codec inside the MKV. If it uses something AVI can't hold, like H.264 or HEVC, the video has to be re-encoded, which costs a small amount of quality. If a compatible codec is already in use, the conversion is effectively lossless.
Why would I convert MKV to AVI at all?
AVI is an older format, but some legacy video editors, DVD authoring tools, and hardware media players were never updated to read MKV, so they still expect AVI.
Will subtitles and extra audio tracks survive the conversion?
Not reliably. AVI doesn't natively support subtitle tracks or multiple audio streams the way MKV does, so anything beyond one video and one audio track may get dropped.
Can I convert MKV to AVI without uploading it anywhere?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet converts the file locally, so a large video never has to travel over your internet connection.
Is AVI still worth using today?
Mostly for compatibility with older software, security camera systems, and hardware built around it years ago. For everyday sharing and streaming, a more current container is usually the better fit.
Morphjet converts MKV, AVI, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.