Save YouTube videos as MP4 files
MP4 is the format nearly every device already understands. Phones, tablets, smart TVs, video editors and presentation apps open it without extra software, which makes it the natural choice when you want to keep a YouTube video for later, watch it offline on a flight or drop a clip into a school project.
The Y2mate YouTube to MP4 tool, often called YTMP4, lists each resolution available for a video together with its exact file size. That way you can choose between a sharp 1080p copy and a light 360p one before anything is downloaded. It is free, needs no sign-up and runs in the browser you are using right now.
How to convert YouTube to MP4
From link to saved video in three short steps.
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Copy the link
On a phone, the Share button below the player has a Copy link option. On a desktop, select the full address bar and copy it. Shorts links are accepted as well.
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Paste and wait a moment
Put the link in the box above. The thumbnail appears straight away, followed by a table of every MP4 quality on offer.
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Pick a resolution
Hit Download on the resolution you picked. Should the video play in a new tab rather than save, open the browser menu there and choose Download.
MP4 resolutions compared
A quick guide to what each quality is good for, with typical sizes for a 10-minute video.
| Quality | Pixels | Ideal for | Size per 10 minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p FHD | 1920 × 1080 | Desktop monitors and TVs | 40 to 100 MB |
| 720p HD | 1280 × 720 | Laptops and tablets | 20 to 60 MB |
| 480p | 854 × 480 | Phones | 15 to 30 MB |
| 360p | 640 × 360 | Small phones and limited data | 10 to 25 MB |
| 240p | 426 × 240 | Lectures where the sound matters most | 5 to 10 MB |
| 144p | 256 × 144 | The smallest possible file | 2 to 5 MB |
FHD stands for Full HD and HD for high definition. Y2mate only shows the resolutions that exist for the video you paste.
Tips for better MP4 downloads
Small choices that save time, data and storage.
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Match the screen, not the maximum
On a 6-inch phone the difference between 720p and 1080p is hard to see, yet the 1080p file can be twice as big.
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Check the size first
Every row shows the file size before you download, which helps on mobile data or when your phone is almost full.
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Use Wi-Fi for long videos
A one-hour lecture in 1080p can take several hundred megabytes, so a stable Wi-Fi connection is the better choice.
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Saving on iPhone
Safari stores downloads in Files, under Downloads. From there, the share sheet lets you save the video to Photos.
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Came back later?
YouTube file links expire after a few hours. Y2mate refreshes them for you; just tap Download a second time.
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Only need the sound?
Switch to the Audio tab on the same result, or use the YouTube to MP3 page, for a file that is many times smaller.
YouTube to MP4 FAQ
What is YTMP4?
YTMP4 is shorthand for YouTube to MP4, meaning a copy of a YouTube video saved as an .mp4 file. This page is the Y2mate take on it: free, with no registration.
Is 1080p always available?
Only if the video was uploaded in 1080p or higher. Y2mate shows the resolutions YouTube actually has for each video, so an older clip might top out at 480p or 360p.
Why does the video open in a new tab instead of downloading?
Many browsers can play MP4 files on their own, so they show the video rather than saving it. In that tab, pick Download from the browser menu, or on a computer use the save option in the player’s right-click menu.
Will the MP4 play on my TV or in my video editor?
In most cases, yes, because MP4 is the most widely supported video format. Very old devices can struggle with the newer compression YouTube uses for some high resolutions; if a file will not play, try the 720p or 360p version.
Is there a limit on video length?
Y2mate sets no length limit. Long videos simply produce larger files, so check the size shown next to each quality before you start.
Can I download a whole playlist?
Not at the moment. Y2mate handles one video at a time, so paste each video link separately to save it.
Can I save YouTube Shorts as MP4?
Yes. Paste the Shorts link and choose a quality from the table. Most Shorts last well under a minute, so the files are usually small and quick to save.
Do MP4 downloads work on Android and iPhone?
Yes. Open this page in Chrome, Safari or any modern mobile browser. Android saves the file to Downloads, and on iPhone and iPad it lands in the Files app.