HandBrake download for Windows

HandBrake takes a video you already have and makes a new one: smaller, in a different format, or tuned for a particular device. People use it to shrink hours of phone footage, to turn an MKV into an MP4 that a TV will play, or to convert a DVD they own that has no copy protection. It does not play videos and it is not an editor. It converts, and it does that very well.

HandBrake downloads

The download page offers:

• Windows on Intel or AMD (x86_64): an installer, or a zip if you would rather not install.
• Windows on Arm (ARM64): the same two choices.
• macOS: one universal disk image for macOS 10.13 or newer.
• Linux: Flatpak, through Flathub or as a downloadable file.

The Windows builds need Windows 10 or later. There is also a separate command-line version for scripting. The project publishes checksums and OpenPGP signatures on companion pages if you want to verify a download.

Your first conversion

1. Open Source. Choose a file, or a whole folder if you have several to convert.
2. Pick a preset. The preset list does most of the thinking. "Fast 1080p30" is a sensible start for ordinary video; device presets exist for phones, consoles and streaming boxes.
3. Choose the format. MP4 plays almost everywhere. MKV can carry more audio and subtitle tracks.
4. Set the destination with Save As and the button next to it.
5. Start Encode. To line up several jobs, use Add to Queue first and start them together.

Use Preview before a long job. It renders a few seconds so you can judge the quality before you commit an hour of processing.

Quality, size and speed

On the Video tab, the Constant Quality slider decides the result. A lower number means higher quality and a bigger file. The default in a preset is a fair balance, so change it in small steps.

Hardware encoders from NVIDIA, Intel and AMD appear in the encoder list when your PC supports them. They are much faster. At the same file size they usually look a little worse than the software encoders, which is a trade worth making for some jobs and not for others.

Check the Audio and Subtitles tabs

A preset takes the tracks its rules select, which is not always every track. If your source has several languages or subtitles you care about, add them on these tabs before you start.

What HandBrake does not do

It does not cut scenes together, add titles or crop interactively; the Range setting can limit a job to certain chapters or seconds, and that is about it. For editing, use Shotcut or another editor. HandBrake also does not remove copy protection from commercial discs. And every conversion re-encodes the picture, so a little quality is lost each time. Convert from the best source you have, and only once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HandBrake free?

Yes. It is free, open-source software, with no paid edition and no watermark.

Why is my converted file bigger than the original?

The original was already heavily compressed. Raise the Constant Quality number a little, or use a preset with a lower resolution.

Should I choose MP4 or MKV?

MP4 for the widest compatibility with phones, TVs and websites. MKV when you need several audio or subtitle tracks in one file.

Can HandBrake convert a DVD?

Discs without copy protection, yes. Open the disc as the source and choose the title you want. Protected discs need tools HandBrake does not include.