How to Find the Codec for a YouTube Video

Are you curious about the specific codec used in a YouTube video? Determining the codec can be quite useful for content creators and technical enthusiasts. This guide will walk you through the steps to find the codec for a YouTube video, utilizing both browser developer tools and third-party software.

Using Browser Developer Tools

One effective way to find the codec of a YouTube video is by using browser developer tools. Here are the detailed steps:

Open the YouTube video in your preferred web browser.

Right-click on the video and select Inspect element or Inspect.

Navigate to the Network tab in the developer tools.

In the Network tab, filter the requests by selecting Media. This will show only the video and audio files being loaded.

Look for the video file that ends with common video extensions such as mp4, webm, etc. You might see multiple entries for different quality levels.

Click on the video file entry to see its details.

Check the headers or preview section for information on the codec. Common codecs you might encounter include H.264, VP9, and AV1.

As a side note, YouTube often employs adaptive streaming technologies such as DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP), meaning the codec can change based on your internet speed and device capabilities.

Using Third-Party Tools

Another method involves downloading the video and analyzing it with a third-party tool. Follow these steps:

Download the YouTube video:

YouTube Downloader 4K Video Downloader TubeMate

Install a video analysis tool:

MediaInfo GSpot VLC Media Player

Open the video file in the analysis tool:

Depending on the tool, you may need to open the file directly from within the tool or drag and drop it into the interface.

Look for the codec information:

Codec information will typically be listed in a section demarcated as codec or similar.

Note: YouTube utilizes a variety of codecs to encode its videos, so the codec used in a particular video may vary.

Using “Stats for Nerds” Feature

A quick and easy method to spot the codec is by viewing the “Stats for Nerds” feature:

Right-click on the video and select “Stats for Nerds”.

Here is an example of what you might see, where it states AV1 video codec and Opus audio.

This feature is a quick and accessible way to determine the codec without the need for additional software.

Conclusion

Understanding the codec of a YouTube video can provide valuable insights, particularly for content creators and technical analysts. By utilizing browser developer tools or third-party analysis software, you can easily identify the specific codec used in any YouTube video. Whether you prefer a quick peek with “Stats for Nerds” or a more detailed analysis, the methods described here will help you gain a clearer understanding of the video encoding process on YouTube.