Media types and formats for image, audio, and video content
Since nearly its beginning, the web has included support for some form of visual media presentation. Originally, these capabilities were limited, and were expanded organically, with different browsers finding their own solutions to the problems around including still and video imagery on the web. The modern web has powerful features to support the presentation and manipulation of media, with several media-related APIs supporting various types of content. Generally, the media formats supported by a browser are entirely up to the browser’s creators, which can complicate the work of a web developer.
This guide provides an overview of the media file types, {{Glossary("codec", "codecs")}}
, and algorithms that may comprise media used on the web. It also provides browser support information for various combinations of these, and suggestions for prioritization of formats, as well as which formats excel at specific types of content.
Guides
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- Learn: HTML video and audio
- : This tutorial introduces and details the use of media on the web.
See also
- Media Capabilities API
- : The Media Capabilities API lets you discover the encoding and decoding capabilities of the device your app or site is running on. This lets you make real-time decisions about what formats to use and when.