YouTube Video Downloader — MP4 up to 1080p
YouTube ships video and audio as separate streams at HD. downmy downloads both and merges them on the server with ffmpeg, so you get one playable MP4.
How to download a YouTube video
- Copy the video's URL from the address bar, or use Share → Copy link in the YouTube app.
- Paste it into the field at the top of this page and press Download.
- Choose a quality. 1080p, 720p and 480p are offered where the source has them.
- HD options need a short server-side merge — usually 15 to 60 seconds. Keep the page open until the file transfers.
- For audio only, pick the MP3 option instead of a video quality.
Quality tiers
- 1080p MP4
- Adaptive video track joined to the best available audio track. Offered when the source has a 1080p rendition.
- 720p MP4
- Smaller and faster to merge. A good default on mobile data.
- 480p MP4
- The lowest merge tier, useful when you only need a reference copy.
- MP3 audio
- Audio only, transcoded to 320 kbps MP3 on the server.
Things worth knowing
- The merge is a stream copy, not a re-encode — the video and audio are the same as YouTube serves, only joined into one container. That is why it stays fast even on long videos.
- HD downloads are merged on our server rather than in your browser, which is why they take longer than a direct file. A progress overlay shows the merge and the transfer.
- Above 1080p is not offered. Higher renditions use VP9/AV1 in WebM and would need a real re-encode, which is slow and lossy.
- Age-restricted, members-only and region-blocked videos cannot be resolved.
- Downloading videos you do not own may breach YouTube's Terms of Service. Use this for your own uploads, Creative Commons material, or content you have permission to save.
YouTube downloader FAQ
Why does a 1080p download take longer?
YouTube does not serve 1080p as a single file with audio. The server downloads the video track and the audio track separately, then joins them with ffmpeg. That merge is the delay — typically 15 to 60 seconds depending on length.
Does merging reduce quality?
No. Both tracks are copied into the MP4 as-is; nothing is re-encoded. The file is the same video and audio YouTube delivered, just in one container.
Can I download YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Shorts URLs are recognised directly, and a Short downloads the same way as a regular video.
Does it work with live streams?
Finished live replays work through the /live/ URL form. A stream that is still running cannot be resolved.
Is downloading YouTube videos allowed?
It depends on the video and your jurisdiction. YouTube's Terms of Service permit downloading only through features YouTube itself provides. Use downmy for your own uploads, openly licensed material, or where you have the rights holder's permission.
Last updated: 2026-10-23