How to View WebM Metadata and Codecs?

This article provides a straightforward guide on how to quickly inspect the underlying metadata, video/audio codecs, and container details of a WebM file. Whether you are troubleshooting playback issues, verifying video optimization, or just curious about the file’s encoding, you can easily access this data using built-in operating system tools, free media players, or advanced command-line utilities.

Method 1: Use VLC Media Player (Cross-Platform)

VLC Media Player is one of the easiest graphical tools for checking file internals without needing to install complex inspection software.

• Open the file: Launch VLC and open your WebM video.
• Access Media Information: Press Ctrl + I (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + I (macOS) to open the Media Information window.
• Check the Codecs: Click on the Codec tab. Here, you will see the exact video codec (typically VP8, VP9, or AV1) and audio codec (usually Opus or Vorbis), along with the resolution and frame rate.

Method 2: Use MediaInfo (Detailed GUI)

For a more thorough breakdown of a WebM file’s metadata, MediaInfo is a dedicated, free utility that displays comprehensive technical data.

• Download and install the free version of MediaInfo.
• Open the application and import your WebM file.
• Switch the view to Tree or Text via the View menu to see detailed information, including writing application, muxing library, bit rate, and precise color space profiles.

Method 3: Use FFprobe (Command Line)

If you prefer using the command line or need to automate metadata extraction, FFprobe (which comes bundled with FFmpeg) is the industry standard tool.

• Open your terminal or command prompt.
• Run the following basic command to view the stream information:

ffprobe -v error -show_format -show_streams input.webm

• To get a cleaner, more readable JSON output of the metadata, you can use:

ffprobe -v quiet -print_format json -show_format -show_streams input.webm

Method 4: Use Web-Based Inspectors

If you do not want to install any software, you can use secure, browser-based tools that analyze file headers locally without uploading the actual video to a server.

• Search for a reputable local “online metadata viewer” or “WebM header inspector.”
• Drag and drop the WebM file into the browser window.
• The tool will read the Ebml (Extensible Binary Meta Language) structure of the WebM file instantly to display the container and codec data.