Hey there, tech-savvy friend! Ever found a hilarious or insightful video on YouTube that you just had to save to your computer or mobile device? Yeah, us too. The good news is converting YouTube to MP4 format is super easy these days and only takes a few seconds. No more wishing you could watch that video offline or share it easily with friends and family.
In this quick tutorial, we’ll show you a couple ways to download YouTube videos as MP4 files that you can keep and playback anytime without an internet connection. The best part is these methods are completely free and don’t require any technical skills. So sit back, grab your favorite device and get ready to save some of your all-time favorite YouTube clips before the social media giants decide to pull them down. By the end of this, you’ll be downloading YouTube vids in MP4 format like a pro!
Why Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 Format?
Converting your YouTube videos to MP4 format has some real benefits.
Accessibility
MP4 files are compatible with a huge range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to streaming media players, smart TVs, and desktop computers. Nearly every device out there supports MP4, so converting to this format means your videos will be viewable by the largest possible audience.
Offline viewing
Have you ever wanted to watch your favorite YouTube channel while flying on a plane or camping in the woods? By downloading YouTube videos as MP4 files, you can enjoy them even without an internet connection. Just transfer the MP4s to your phone, tablet or laptop and watch wherever, whenever.
Customization options
With an MP4 file of your YouTube video, you have more freedom to edit and customize as needed. You can trim out sections, stitch multiple videos together, add transitions and effects, or even overlay an audio track. MP4 gives you more creative control over your content.
Higher quality
YouTube compresses videos to save space and bandwidth, which can reduce quality. Converting to MP4 allows you to choose a high resolution and bitrate, resulting in a crisp, clear file. For the best quality, select 720p or higher when converting your video.
Converting YouTube to MP4 only takes a few seconds and opens up more possibilities for sharing and enjoying your favorite videos. With the right free converter tool and a few clicks of the mouse, you’ll be watching your YouTube faves in MP4 format in no time.
Step-by-Step Guide to Converting YouTube to MP4
Converting your favorite YouTube videos to MP4 format is a breeze if you follow these simple steps:
Find a YouTube Converter
First, you’ll need a free YouTube converter tool. We recommend using ClipGrab, Free YouTube Download, or Videoder. These are easy to use and work on both Windows and Mac.
Copy the YouTube Link
Next, open the YouTube video you want to download and copy the link from the address bar at the top of your browser.
Paste the Link into the Converter
In your converter tool, paste the YouTube link into the designated field. The video information like title, length, and thumbnail should populate automatically.
Select MP4 Format
From the list of format options, choose MP4. This is a popular video format that will allow you to play your video on most devices.
Click Download
That’s it! Click the download or convert button and your YouTube video will be saved to your computer in MP4 format within seconds.
###Find Your New MP4 Video
Once the download is complete, you can find your new MP4 video file on your computer. The location will depend on where your default download folder is set to. You may want to move the video to a dedicated folder for all your converted YouTube MP4s.
With a fast internet connection, you can convert and download a typical YouTube video in a matter of seconds. Now you can enjoy your favorite YouTube content even when you’re offline! Let us know if you have any other questions.
Best YouTube to MP4 Converters
When it comes to converting YouTube videos to MP4 format, you have a few great options to choose from. Here are some of the best YouTube to MP4 converters available:
4K Video Downloader
This free tool is one of the simplest ways to download YouTube videos and convert them to MP4. Just copy and paste the YouTube video URL into the app and click “Download”. 4K Video Downloader will automatically detect the best quality MP4 version available and download it for you. It can save videos in MP4, MP3, MKV, and 3GP formats so you have options for what works best for you.
VidPaw
VidPaw is another user-friendly YouTube to MP4 converter. All you have to do is enter the YouTube video URL or link and click “Download” to get started. VidPaw will show you all the available MP4 formats to choose from. Select your desired quality like 1080p HD or 4K and the download will begin instantly. VidPaw can also download entire YouTube playlists and channels if you want to save multiple videos. It’s free, fast and does an excellent job of maintaining the quality of the original YouTube video in the MP4 file.
ClipGrab
ClipGrab is a popular open source YouTube to MP4 converter tool. It’s very easy to use – just copy a YouTube video URL and click “Paste URL”. ClipGrab will show you the available MP4 download options. Choose your format and click “Download” to start the conversion and download. ClipGrab can download from many other video sites as well, including Vimeo, Twitch, and Dailymotion. The best part is it’s completely free to use and works on both Windows and Mac computers.
Using any of these YouTube to MP4 converters, you’ll be enjoying your favorite YouTube videos offline in no time. No more buffering or data overages to worry about! Simply download, then watch and re-watch the MP4 videos at your leisure.
Tips for Downloading and Converting YouTube Videos
Once you’ve found a YouTube video you want to download, here are some tips to quickly convert it to an MP4 file you can watch whenever you want.
Use a free online converter
The easiest way is to use one of the many free YouTube to MP4 converters available. Sites like ClipGrab, VidPaw, and 4K Video Downloader let you paste in a YouTube video URL, they’ll download the video and convert it to MP4 for you. – All you have to do is copy and paste, click “download” or “convert” and in seconds you’ll have an MP4 file ready to save to your computer. – These work on both desktop and mobile and don’t require any software installation.
Choose your video quality
YouTube offers videos in a range of resolutions, from 144p up to 4K. – When converting, you’ll want to choose a quality that suits your needs. – If you just want to watch on your phone or tablet, 720p HD is perfectly fine. – For the best quality on a 4K TV or monitor, go for the highest 4K resolution. – Keep in mind higher resolution files will be much larger in size.
Save MP4s to your device
The MP4 file will download to your computer, but you’ll want to move it to the appropriate folder. – On Windows, save to Videos. – On Mac, save to Movies. – You can also save MP4s directly to your phone, tablet or external storage like a USB drive or SD card. – Once the MP4 file is saved, you can delete the YouTube video from your browser history and watch your MP4 video anytime offline.
Consider a desktop program (optional)
If you frequently download and convert YouTube videos, it may be worth installing a free desktop program like VLC Media Player, HandBrake or WinX Video Converter. – These make downloading and converting YouTube videos to MP4 a straightforward process and may offer additional features like editing tools or the ability to download entire YouTube playlists. – However, for casual or one-off YouTube conversions, an online converter will work great.
Frequently Asked Questions About YouTube to MP4 Conversion
You probably have a few questions about converting your YouTube videos to MP4 format. Here are some of the most frequently asked ones:
Will I lose quality?
Converting a video from YouTube to MP4 format typically will not reduce the quality. MP4 is a very common digital video format that can preserve HD and 4K quality. As long as you use a reputable online converter or desktop software, your MP4 video should retain the same resolution and clarity as the original YouTube upload.
Do I need special software?
You don’t need any special or expensive software to convert YouTube videos to MP4. There are many free online converters and tools that can do the job for you in just a few clicks. Popular options include ClipGrab, 4K Video Downloader, and Videoder. These tools work directly from the YouTube website and don’t require any installation. If you prefer to work offline, you can also download free YouTube to MP4 converter software to your Windows or Mac computer.
Is it legal to download YouTube videos?
Downloading YouTube videos for personal, non-commercial use is typically considered fair use and allowed under copyright law. However, downloading content to re-upload to your own YouTube channel or other video sharing site is not permitted. As long as you only download YouTube videos for your own private viewing and archival purposes, you should be within your legal rights. But if you have any concerns, it’s best to check with a legal professional regarding copyright law.
Can I convert YouTube playlists?
Yes, most YouTube to MP4 converters allow you to download and convert entire YouTube playlists with a single click. Just enter the playlist URL or select the playlist from the converter and it will save all the videos in the list and convert them to MP4 format. This is a great way to download collections of videos on topics you’re interested in.
Does that help answer some of your questions about converting YouTube videos to MP4 format? Let me know if you have any other questions!
Conclusion
So there you have it, a quick and easy way to download YouTube videos and convert them to MP4 format so you can watch them whenever and wherever. No more relying on an internet connection or data plan to stream your favorite YouTube clips. You’re now equipped with a simple method to build your own personal library of videos on your computer, phone, tablet or any other device that supports MP4 files. The best part is it only takes a few seconds and a couple clicks to get it done. Go ahead and give it a try – find a video you love and make it yours forever. You’ll be watching YouTube offline before you know it!
