Video Metadata Viewer — Check Video Info Without Uploading

View video file details — duration, resolution, aspect ratio, file size, and format — directly in your browser. Nothing is uploaded. Works on all video files.

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What is video metadata?

Video metadata is information stored alongside or within a video file that describes its properties without being part of the visible content. It includes technical details such as duration, resolution, frame rate, codec, bitrate, and creation date. Metadata is used by video players to render the file correctly, by editing software to match settings, by streaming platforms to validate uploads, and by search engines to index content. Some metadata is embedded in the container file itself (like MP4's moov atom), while other metadata such as subtitles and section headings is stored in separate tracks within the container.

What metadata does the browser expose?

Web browsers can read a limited but useful set of video metadata without any server-side processing. Using the HTML5 video element and the File API, this tool retrieves the video's duration, pixel dimensions (width and height), MIME type, file name, file size, and last-modified date. This information is read directly from your device's memory — nothing is sent over the network. More advanced metadata such as codec name, audio sample rate, frame rate, bitrate, or embedded GPS data requires a dedicated analysis tool like MediaInfo or ffprobe that can parse the raw container format.

When do you need to check video metadata?

Checking video metadata is useful in many practical situations. Before compressing a video, knowing the original resolution and duration helps you choose the right bitrate target. Before uploading to a platform, confirming the aspect ratio and format saves time if the file turns out to be incompatible. When troubleshooting playback issues, checking the MIME type or duration can reveal if a file is corrupt. When creating subtitles, the exact duration tells you the maximum timestamp. Video editors also use metadata to match project settings to source footage, avoiding re-encoding penalties from format mismatches.

Video information you can check

Select a video and the viewer lists its file name, file size, format (MIME type), duration, resolution in pixels, aspect ratio and the file's last-modified date. These come from your browser, so what appears depends on the file: an audio-only file has no resolution. Codec, frame rate and bitrate are not available here.

Check video metadata before you upload or transcribe

A quick check catches common problems: a duration that does not match your edit, the wrong resolution or aspect ratio, or a file larger than an upload limit. To estimate the average bitrate, put the file size and duration into the Video Bitrate Calculator. For codec and frame rate, use VLC or MediaInfo.

Does my video get uploaded to a server?▼

No. Your video file is read entirely within your browser using the HTML5 File API and the native video element. It never leaves your device.

What metadata can this tool detect?▼

File name, size, MIME type, video duration, resolution (width × height in pixels), and aspect ratio. Audio tracks and codec information require a deeper analysis tool like MediaInfo.

Why doesn't my file show resolution?▼

Some formats (like audio-only files or certain MKV containers) may not expose resolution via the browser API. MP4, WebM, and MOV files work most reliably.

How do I check video codec or bitrate?▼

Codec and bitrate information are not available via the browser's HTML5 API. For deep codec analysis, use VLC (right-click → Media Info) or MediaInfo (free desktop app).

What is a MIME type for video?▼

MIME type identifies the file format: video/mp4 for MP4, video/webm for WebM, video/quicktime for MOV. It's used by servers and players to determine how to handle the file.

What is video codec?▼

A codec (coder-decoder) is the algorithm used to compress and decompress video data. Common video codecs include H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC), VP9, and AV1. The codec determines how efficiently the video is compressed and which devices can play it back. H.264 has the broadest compatibility across browsers, devices, and platforms. H.265 achieves similar quality at about half the file size but requires hardware support for smooth playback. Codec information is not exposed by the browser API and requires a tool like MediaInfo or VLC to inspect.

Why does my video show wrong duration?▼

Incorrect duration is usually caused by a corrupted or incomplete file, a missing or misplaced moov atom in MP4 files, or a file that was not properly finalized after recording. If a recording was interrupted (power loss, crash), the container may not have been closed correctly, leaving the duration as zero or incorrect. Tools like ffmpeg can repair this with the -movflags faststart option or by re-muxing the file. Some MKV files also store duration as an estimate that differs from the actual stream length.

What is a container format vs codec?▼

A container format (like MP4, MKV, or MOV) is the wrapper that holds video, audio, subtitles, and metadata tracks together in a single file. A codec is the compression algorithm used for each individual track inside the container. For example, an MP4 file (container) might contain H.264 video (codec) and AAC audio (codec). The same H.264 video could also be stored inside an MKV or MOV container. Understanding this distinction matters when troubleshooting compatibility — a device might support the MP4 container but not the H.265 codec inside it.

How do I check video information on my computer?▼

Choose the video file above. The viewer shows its duration, resolution, aspect ratio, file size, format and last-modified date. Nothing is uploaded; your browser reads the file locally.

Does it show when the video was created?▼

It shows the file's last-modified date from your device, not a creation date stored inside the video. Embedded dates and camera details need a tool such as MediaInfo.

How do I find the bitrate of a video?▼

This viewer does not display bitrate. Take the file size and duration it shows and enter them in the Video Bitrate Calculator for the average bitrate, or open the file in VLC or MediaInfo for per-stream detail.

Video Metadata Viewer — Check Video Info Without Uploading

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