MKVToolNix 97.0

4.75 from 4 Reviews

MKVToolNix gives you complete control over MKV files without the complexity of traditional video editors.

If you need to merge multiple video clips, extract audio tracks, add subtitles, or reorganize chapters, this toolkit handles everything through a straightforward graphical interface.

Unlike re-encoding tools such as HandBrake or StaxRip, MKVToolNix performs all operations without quality loss since it never touches the actual video or audio data - it only modifies the container structure.

The software works with far more than just MKV files. You can import content from AVI, FLV, MOV, MPEG, MP4, WebM, OGG, and FLAC containers.

This makes MKVToolNix invaluable for consolidating media from different sources into a single, well-organized MKV file.

What Can You Do With MKVToolNix?

Merge Multiple Files: Combine video segments, separate audio recordings, and external subtitle files into one unified MKV.

This is particularly useful when you have video from one source and higher-quality audio from another, or when adding translations to foreign films.

Add and Remove Tracks: Insert additional audio tracks for different languages, attach SRT or ASS subtitle files, or remove unwanted commentary tracks.

Each track can be labeled with language tags and set as default or forced.

Split Large Files: Break oversized recordings into smaller, manageable segments.

MKVToolNix can split by size, duration, or chapter markers - perfect for fitting files onto storage devices with file size limits.

Edit Metadata and Chapters: Organize your content with custom chapter markers, modify track names, adjust default track selections, and add tags for better library organization.

Media managers and players like VLC Media Player or KMPlayer will display this information during playback.

Extract Content: Pull individual video, audio, or subtitle tracks from existing MKV files.

Need just the audio from a music video? Want to extract subtitles for editing in Subtitle Edit? MKVToolNix extracts any stream without quality degradation.

MKVToolNix Components

The toolkit includes three main applications. MKVToolNix GUI provides the primary graphical interface where most users will perform their work.

MKVMerge handles the actual multiplexing operations and can be used via command line for scripting and automation.

MKVInfo displays detailed technical information about MKV files, similar to what MediaInfo provides but specifically optimized for Matroska containers.

Supported Formats and Codecs

MKVToolNix accepts virtually any video codec you might encounter, including H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC (see our x265 encoder), VP8, VP9, AV1, MPEG-1/2/4, Theora, and legacy formats like DivX and Xvid.

Audio support encompasses AAC, AC3, DTS, FLAC, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Opus, TrueHD, and PCM.

Subtitle formats include SRT, ASS/SSA, VobSub, PGS, and WebVTT.

When to Use MKVToolNix vs Other Tools

Choose MKVToolNix when you need to reorganize, combine, or modify container contents without affecting quality.

For actual video conversion or re-encoding, use HandBrake, VidCoder, or Shutter Encoder.

For quick lossless trimming of individual files, LosslessCut offers a simpler interface. For advanced filtering and processing, consider VirtualDub2 or MediaCoder.

MKVToolNix pairs excellently with MP4Box (GPAC) for users who work with both MKV and MP4 containers.

For reliable playback of your finished files, install the K-Lite Codec Pack or use VLC Media Player, which handles MKV natively.

System Requirements

MKVToolNix runs on Windows 10/11 (64-bit), macOS 11.0 or newer (Intel and Apple Silicon), and most Linux distributions.

The application requires minimal system resources - even older hardware handles large files efficiently since no actual encoding occurs during operations.