.ogv
Video · video/ogg
Opens with
Moving pictures with sound. The extension only names the container — what actually plays depends on the codec inside.
| MIME type | video/ogg |
|---|---|
| Category | Video |
| Opens in a browser | Yes |
| Plain text | No |
| Registered type | Yes |
The same file, another name
These share a MIME type. Renaming between them usually just works.
How to read this
- An extension is a label, not the contents. Rename a file to .png and if the bytes inside are JPEG, it is still a JPEG.
- A MIME type is how the internet names a file kind. Browsers look at that value, not the extension, to decide whether to display or download.
- A MIME type starting with x- was never registered as a standard. Plenty are in wide use, but they are not official names.
- Video extensions name a container. The same .mp4 may play on one device and not another, depending on the codec inside.
Frequently asked questions
QWhat is a .ogv file?
It belongs to the video category and its MIME type is video/ogg. The contents are binary, so opening it in a text editor shows garbage.
QWhat opens a .ogv file?
Firefox, VLC all handle it. In a browser it opens directly, with no extra software.
QWhat is the MIME type of .ogv?
video/ogg. The first half, video, names the broad kind; the second half, ogg, names the exact format. It is a registered standard name.
QIs any other extension the same format as .ogv?
.ogm share the very same MIME type. Renaming between them usually just works.
QMy .ogv file will not open.
First check that Firefox is installed. If it still fails, the download may have been cut short, or the file may only be named .ogv while holding a different format inside.