How to List All Supported Codecs in FFmpeg on Windows

This article provides a quick and straightforward guide on how to display all the video, audio, and subtitle codecs supported by FFmpeg on a Windows operating system. By using simple command-line instructions, you can easily query your FFmpeg installation to see exactly which formats it can encode and decode.

To list the supported codecs, you will need to use the Windows Command Prompt or PowerShell. Follow these steps to retrieve the list:

Step 1: Open the Command Line

Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Type cmd (or powershell if you prefer) and press Enter.

Step 2: Run the FFmpeg Codecs Command

If FFmpeg is added to your Windows System PATH, you can run the command from any directory. Type the following command and press Enter:

ffmpeg -codecs

If FFmpeg is not in your system PATH, you must first navigate to the folder containing the ffmpeg.exe file using the cd command (for example, cd C:\ffmpeg\bin) before running the command.

Understanding the Output

The command will output a long list of codecs preceded by a set of configuration flags. The legend at the top of the output explains what these flags mean:

D (Decoders): FFmpeg can decode/read this format.
E (Encoders): FFmpeg can encode/write this format.
V / A / S (Video / Audio / Subtitle): Identifies the type of media codec.

For example, if you see D.V..D h264, it means FFmpeg can decode H.264 video.

Useful Command Variations

If you want to narrow down your search, you can use more specific commands:

List Decoders Only: To see only the formats FFmpeg can decode, run:
```
ffmpeg -decoders
```
List Encoders Only: To see only the formats FFmpeg can encode, run:
```
ffmpeg -encoders
```
Search for a Specific Codec: To find if a specific codec (like AAC or HEVC) is supported, use the Windows findstr tool to filter the results:
```
ffmpeg -codecs | findstr "hevc"
```