8 Easy Methods to Compress MKV

MKV files are known for their incredible video quality and their ability to hold multiple audio and subtitle tracks. However, this high quality comes at a cost: massive file sizes. Whether you want to save hard drive space, email a video to a colleague, or upload content to platforms like YouTube and Discord, compressing your MKV files is essential.

In this guide, we will walk you through the top 8 ways to compress MKV files without significantly losing video quality, ranging from professional desktop software to quick online tools.

• Part 1. Joyoshare VidiKit
• Part 2. HandBrake
• Part 3. VLC
• Part 4. FVC Free Video Compressor
• Part 5. PS2PDF
• Part 6. Clideo
• Part 7. Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate
• Part 8. MacX Video Converter Pro
• Part 9. FAQs About Compressing MKV

Part 1. Joyoshare VidiKit

Best for: Users who want lightning-fast batch compression and high-quality retention.

With 40X faster compression speed, Joyoshare VidiKit allows you to resize MKV files swiftly and accurately. It provides multiple features to streamline your workflow, such as real-time previews, an "Apply to All" mode, and the ability to compress multiple MKV files in batches. You have complete freedom to adjust the resolution and bitrate according to your requirements.

Besides compressing MKV files, it acts as a comprehensive video toolkit, enabling you to reduce the file sizes of MP4, MOV, GoPro footage, and WebM easily.

• Step 1 Download Joyoshare VidiKit and Add MKV

  Open Joyoshare VidiKit by clicking the program icon on your screen after installing it. Click Convert and select Video Compressor to activate its function. On the interface, you can add files by dropping media files or clicking plus-shaped icon on the menu bar.

  

• Step 2 Compress MKV in 2 Ways

  It allows you to compress files through 2 methods: Compress by percentage; Compress by file size. To reduce MKV videos file size by percentage, you can click Compress sign and drag slider to what you desired. Also, you can press Apply to all. Hit the gear icon on the rear of each video tab and change file size, output format and resolution. In doing so, you can compress MKV by file size.

  

• Step 3 Start the Compression

  Hit the Compress button when you have done settings. Then, this program will start the compression process. To check the compressed files, you can click the History button to preview them using its built-in media player.

  

Part 2. HandBrake

Best for: Tech-savvy users looking for a free, open-source transcoder with advanced codec options.

For fast and free video compression, HandBrake is the best open-source software that helps the users to do video compression and conversion with efficiency. It offers various presets for smooth functioning on both mobile and other platforms. One of the best features of HandBrake is batch-processing, which allows you to compress videos in batches in a short time and can process the MKV media file easily. It provides you an opportunity to choose various options to add subtitles, filters and also personalize audio and video codecs separately.

Step 1: Go to HandBrake's official website and download software compatible with your computer. Install this program and run it on your screen.

Step 2: To add your files, choose Open Source and press File. Then click the file that you want to compress. Click Browse under the Destination to choose where you want to save your compressed video.

Step 3: Under the Output settings, you can set the Container. It allows you to customize Codec, Preset, Framerate and more.

Step 4: Click Start Encode to start the compression process. To check your final files, you can go to the appropriate folders.

Part 3. VLC

Best for: Users who already have VLC installed and need a quick, no-frills compression.

VLC is a widely used media player; however, it also helps to compress MKV files. This program has many hidden functionalities, and video compression is also one of them. You can compress your videos without having a separate compressing tool. It allows the users to apply editing features to the videos, and even they can change the frame rate and bit rate of the video. Once you have done compression of MKV videos with VLC, then you don't need to go to any other tool. VLC is not only the popular media player in the world but also it provides the facility to compress files without downloading or installing any additional software.

Step 1: Download VLC on your PC and operate it. In the toolbar, click the Media - Convert. Press Add and choose video to select file that you want to compress. Click Convert again.

Step 2: Select the desired output profile and customize aspect ratio. Click Browse to set output path after changing settings.

Step 3: To start the compression, you can click the Start button. VLC will notice you when the compression is done.

Part 4. FVC Free Video Compressor

Best for: Quick, web-based compression without watermarks.

This web-based online video editor, FVC Free Video Compressor, allows you to compress any format video, such as MP4, MKV, WMV, AVI, MTS, WebM, etc. It maintains the video quality and reduces its size within seconds. Moreover, this editor offers various video settings so that you can easily customize by making a few adjustments. You can customize the resolution, bitrate, and size to make your videos able to share on social media. If you are not familiar with specific parameters, then you use the video slider to adjust the video compression ratio and bitrate.

Step 1: Open FVC Free Video Compressor website and click Add Files to Compress. Now, choose your video file to add your videos.

Step 2: It allows you to change video size, format, bitrate, resolution and many more based on your need.

Step 3: Click the Compress sign to begin compressing your files and save your videos.

Part 5. PS2PDF

p>Best for: Users who want to compress videos directly from Google Drive or Dropbox.

PS2PDF is a free online video compressing tool that instantly reduces the file size. It provides you with options to compress the video size, preset quality, constant bitrate, or by using variable bitrate. You can opt for slower compression speeds to keep the quality of the video. If you speed up the compression process to save your time, then you may get a poor-quality video. In addition, the user can quickly upload speeds from Dropbox and Google Drive. PS2PDF has no file uploading limitations, which means you can upload any large size file to compress. Also, you can try out different compression methods to reduce the file size.

Step 1: Open your search engine and navigate to PS2PDF. Go to PS2PDF MOV compressor.

Step 2: Hit Add Files and select your MKV files. Then, you can configure output format, codec, quality, output dimension, etc.

Step 3: Click Compress Now! to get started. Download the files after compression by hitting the Download button.

Part 6. Clideo

Best for: Mobile users and beginners looking for an automated one-click online solution.

Another web-based video editing app, Clideo, lets its users perform basic video editing tasks, including trimming, rotating, and compressing. You can use this compressing option by just signing in to the platform through your Facebook or Google account. If you are using a free version of Clideo, then it watermarks all of the videos that you compress. Clideo offers various ways to reduce the file size of the video. With the help of a wide range of editing tools, you can even edit your compressed videos to look much better. This tool has a quick compression process, which is why it is highly recommended.

Step 1: Click Choose file to select WKV files from your Mac, Windows, Dropbox or Google Drive.

Step 2: It will compress your files after the upload that takes a moment or two.

Step 3: Preview your compressed videos and save them to your computer, Dropbox or Google Drive.

Part 7. Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate

Best for: Users needing extra editing tools and effects alongside compression.

Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate is all one solution to compress and edit videos with ease. It has stunning filters to apply, including whirlpool, Hong Kong, etc. Its users can easily add 3D effects to the video after compressing it and make them impressive for the viewers. Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate will let you add MKV files, change the name, size, format, resolution, and bitrate of that file. You can then simply compress the file and get the required high-quality video. It supports many output formats, like MP4, M4A, and MKV. Apart from the compression option, this tool has exceptional speed and attractive editing features.

Step 1: Download and install Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate on your computer, then run it on your screen. Click Video Compressor and select rectangle area to add MKV files.

Step 2: To customize quality, encoder, frame rate, bitrate and resolution, hit the gear icon in the Video Compressor window.

Step 3: Press the Compress button on the interface to start compressing files.

Part 8. MacX Video Converter Pro

Best for: Mac users dealing with 4K UHD MKV videos.

This all-in-one tool, MacX Video Converter Pro is a video converter, downloader, editor, compressor, and slideshow maker. MacX supports a wide range of output formats such as MP3, AAC, AC3, MKV, MPEG4, etc. It delivers a 4K video processing and gives the full rights on the output file size. This tool can compress HD/4K videos smaller for YouTube or Email. You can set the resolution, bit rate, quality to compress the videos. In addition, MacX scales down 4K video to HD 1080p to allow the UHD videos to reach almost any screen.

Step 1: Install MacX Video Converter Pro and operate this program. Press add videos sign to import MKV files.

Step 2: Tap the Edit button to crop and trim video files. Click RUN button to begin the video processing.

Part 9. FAQs About Compressing MKV

To help you better understand the compression process, here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding MKV files:

• 1. Does compressing an MKV file reduce video quality?
  It depends on how you compress it. If you slightly lower the bitrate or use a more efficient codec (like changing from H.264 to H.265), you can significantly reduce the file size with almost zero noticeable quality loss. However, heavily dropping the resolution will result in a blurry video.
• 2. How do I compress an MKV video for Discord?
  Discord has a strict file size limit (usually 25MB for free users). To meet this, use a tool like Joyoshare VidiKit or HandBrake to manually set your target output size to 24MB. You may also need to scale the resolution down to 720p or 480p depending on the video's length.
• 3. Why is my MKV file so large in the first place?
  MKV is a "container" format. It doesn't compress video by itself; instead, it holds high-quality video tracks, multiple language audio tracks, and subtitles all in one file. Converting it to a compressed MP4 container is usually the best way to shrink it.

Conclusion

In this guide, we've explored the 8 best ways to compress MKV videos. Whether you prefer the convenience of online tools like Clideo, the open-source customization of HandBrake, or the hidden features in VLC, there is a solution for everyone.

However, if you are looking for the perfect balance between high-speed batch processing and lossless video quality, we highly recommend Joyoshare VidiKit. Its straightforward dual-mode compression ensures your files are optimized exactly to your needs without the steep learning curve.