<p>VP9 is a <strong>video format</strong>. Another example is H.264.</p>

<p>WebM is a <strong>container format</strong> that VP9 goes into. It is equivalent to the MP4 container format for the H.264 video format.</p>

<p>libvpx is a <strong>video encoder</strong> (or <strong>codec</strong>) which outputs the VP8 or VP9 video formats. Another encoder example is x264 which outputs the H.264 video format.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-10T05:12:33.110Z
Note that codec can typically be put in multiple containers, and a container can typically accept multiple codecs.
Gyan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-10T17:02:25.760Z
Since I don't do video work frequently, I always forget this important distinction. I wish I had a cheat-sheet showing what goes with what.
Lonnie Best
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-19T17:33:55.380Z
@LonnieBest [Comparison of video container formats](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_video_container_formats) might be helpful.
llogan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-09T23:10:43.500Z
2019-08-19T17:37:19.097Z
2019-08-19T17:37:19.097Z
llogan
<p>The <a href="https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/VP9" rel="nofollow noreferrer">ffmpeg manual</a> states that:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>libvpx-vp9 is the VP9 video encoder for ​WebM, an open, royalty-free media file format.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>What is the difference between the VP9 and WebM?</p>

<ffmpeg><file-formats>
What is the difference between VP9 and ​WebM?
Adam Matan
# What is the difference between VP9 and ​WebM?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-05-09)

The [ffmpeg manual](https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/VP9) states that:

> libvpx-vp9 is the VP9 video encoder for ​WebM, an open, royalty-free media file format.

What is the difference between the VP9 and WebM?

**Tags:** ffmpeg, file-formats


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-05-09. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

VP9 is a **video format**. Another example is H.264.

WebM is a **container format** that VP9 goes into. It is equivalent to the MP4 container format for the H.264 video format.

libvpx is a **video encoder** (or **codec**) which outputs the VP8 or VP9 video formats. Another encoder example is x264 which outputs the H.264 video format.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Note that codec can typically be put in multiple containers, and a container can typically accept multiple codecs.  
> **username_3**: Since I don't do video work frequently, I always forget this important distinction. I wish I had a cheat-sheet showing what goes with what.  
> **username_1**: @LonnieBest [Comparison of video container formats](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_video_container_formats) might be helpful.  

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