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Need help?How to Convert MP4 to HEVC Online
- Upload Your MP4 Files: Click "+ Add Files" to select MP4 (H.264) files from your computer, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
- Choose Settings: Select compression method — quality preset (Highest to Lowest), target file size percentage, specific file size in MB, constant/variable bitrate, or CRF quality level. Optionally change video codec, audio codec, or resolution (preset like 1080p/720p, percentage, or custom width×height).
- Convert and Download: Click "Convert" and download your HEVC (H.265) files.
Why Convert MP4 to HEVC?
HEVC (H.265) is the successor to H.264 — the codec most MP4 files use. The main benefit is dramatically smaller files:
| Content Type | H.264 (MP4) | HEVC | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p 30fps (1 hour) | ~4.5GB | ~2.5GB | 44% smaller |
| 4K 30fps (1 hour) | ~18GB | ~9GB | 50% smaller |
| 4K 60fps (1 hour) | ~35GB | ~17GB | 51% smaller |
| 1080p screen recording (30 min) | ~1.2GB | ~600MB | 50% smaller |
HEVC achieves this by using larger coding tree units (up to 64×64 pixels vs H.264's 16×16), better motion prediction, and more efficient entropy coding.
When to Convert to HEVC
Competitors like convertio.co offer resolution presets from 144p to 1080p for HEVC output. anyconv.com emphasizes 50% file size reduction and 8K support. freefileconvert.com highlights "tuned encoding" that preserves clarity. XConvert goes further with 6 compression methods (quality preset, target file size %, specific MB, constant/variable bitrate, CRF), full codec selection, and resolution options from percentage scaling to custom dimensions.
When to Convert to HEVC
Storage Savings
A 2TB video library encoded in H.264 can be re-encoded to HEVC and fit in ~1TB — freeing up half your storage with minimal visible quality difference.
4K Content
HEVC was designed for 4K and higher resolutions. It handles ultra-high-definition content far more efficiently than H.264, which was designed for 720p/1080p.
iPhone and Apple Ecosystem
iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TV all natively support HEVC. Apple adopted HEVC as the default recording format starting with iPhone 7.
Device Compatibility
| Device | HEVC Support |
|---|---|
| iPhone 7+ / iPad (2017+) | ✅ Native |
| Android (2017+) | ✅ Most devices |
| macOS 10.13+ | ✅ Native |
| Windows 10+ | ✅ With HEVC extension |
| Chrome / Firefox / Edge | ✅ Supported |
| Safari | ✅ Native |
| Older smart TVs (pre-2016) | ❌ No support |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free?
Yes. Completely free with no watermarks, no sign-up required, and no file count limits.
Is there quality loss when converting?
Re-encoding always involves some generational loss, but at default quality settings (CRF 23) the difference is imperceptible to most viewers. The file size savings far outweigh the minimal quality reduction.
Why is HEVC encoding slower than H.264?
HEVC's more complex algorithms require more processing power. Encoding takes 2-5x longer than H.264, but the result is a significantly smaller file.
Can I convert multiple files at once?
Yes. Upload multiple MP4 files and convert them all with the same settings.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. Works in any modern browser on all devices — no app installation required.