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How to Embed a Video in HTML: A

Simplified Guide for Beginners
By Cristian G. Guasch • Updated: 09/18/23 • 9 min read

Adding multimedia content to your website can skyrocket user

engagement and make your platform more interactive. If you’re
wondering how exactly to embed a video in HTML, I’ve got the
information you need. It’s not as complex as it might seem at first
glance, and with a few simple steps, you’ll be well on your way.

The key to embedding videos lies within HTML5, the latest iteration of
HTML that has made incorporating media elements into web pages
significantly easier. With this tool under my belt, I’ll guide you through
the process step by step. We’ll go over everything from basic coding
principles to specific tags and attributes.

We’re going to dive right into the heart of HTML code together.
Whether you’re a seasoned coder or an absolute beginner, there’s no
need to feel overwhelmed. By breaking down each part of the process,
we’ll demystify what may initially seem like a daunting task. Let’s get
started!
Understanding HTML Video Embedding
I’m sure you’ve come across a website with an interesting video
playing right on the page, and wondered how it’s done. It’s all about
embedding videos into HTML. Let’s break this process down, shall
we?

HTML5 introduced a handful of elements particularly useful for

multimedia, one of which is the <video> tag. This little bit of code
magic lets us embed a video directly onto our webpages. But here’s
where it gets exciting – you’re not limited to one type of video file. With
the <source> tag nestled inside your <video> section, you can specify
different types for broader browser compatibility.

<video width="320" height="240" controls>

<source src="movie.mp4" type="video/mp4">
<source src="movie.ogg" type="video/ogg">
Your browser does not support the video tag.
</video>

Let’s dissect this example:

The <video> tag sets up our player window with specified width
and height.
The ‘controls’ attribute adds play, pause, and volume buttons.
We then have two separate <source> tags each pointing at a
 different version of our movie file: an MP4 and an OGG.

Now, what happens if neither formats are supported by the user’s

browser? That’s where your fallback text comes in – “Your browser
does not support the video tag.” This message will display if all else
fails.

Surely there must be other options to customize our video player?

Absolutely! For instance, you might want your video to start
automatically when someone lands on your page – that’s where
‘autoplay’ steps in:

<video width ="320" height ="240" autoplay

controls>

See that? Adding ‘autoplay’ right after dimension attributes makes that
happen!

Remember though – while embedding videos into HTML may seem

like a piece of cake, it’s always crucial to prioritize user experience.
Autoplay might seem like a fun feature, but some visitors might find an
unexpected video playing on your page more intrusive than engaging.

So there you have it! With just a handful of tags and attributes, you’re
well on your way to embedding videos onto any HTML webpage. The
world is now literally at your fingertips!
Choosing the Right Video Format for HTML
Before we dive into embedding videos in HTML, it’s crucial to
understand the importance of choosing the right video format. Not all
formats are created equal, and picking the appropriate one can be a
game-changer for your website’s performance.

One popular option is MP4. It’s widely supported by most browsers

and provides high-quality visuals without eating up too much
bandwidth. Here’s an example of how you’d embed an MP4 video:

<video width="320" height="240" controls>

<source src="movie.mp4" type="video/mp4">
</video>

Another great choice is WebM, a format specifically designed for web

use. This format offers excellent quality at lower file sizes, making it
ideal for faster loading times. Here’s how you’d incorporate a WebM
video:

<video width="320" height="240" controls>

<source src="movie.webm" type="video/webm">
</video>

However, there might be situations where you’ll need to cater to older

browsers or specific devices that don’t support these formats. That’s
when OGG comes in handy:

<video width="320" height="240" controls>

<source src="movie.ogg" type='video/ogg;
codecs="theora, vorbis"' />
</video>

In conclusion, while MP4 and WebM are typically safe bets thanks to
their broad browser compatibility and quality-to-size ratio, having
fallback options like OGG can ensure your content remains accessible
to as many viewers as possible.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Embed a Video

in HTML
Embedding a video into your HTML code may seem daunting at first.
But fear not, it’s simpler than you think! Let’s break down the process
step by step.

To start off, we’ll need the video file that you’d like to embed. This
could be any video format that is supported by HTML5, such as .mp4,
.webm or .ogg. Once you’ve got your file ready, we’re good to go!

Firstly, locate where on your webpage you want the video to appear.
Then open up your HTML editor and navigate to this spot. Now it’s
time for some coding magic.
In order to embed a video in HTML, we’ll use the <video> tag. Here’s
how an example of embedding might look:

<video width="320" height="240" controls>

<source src="movie.mp4" type="video/mp4">
Your browser does not support the video tag.
</video>

In this snippet of code:

width and height attributes specify the size of our player.

The controls attribute lets users pause/play/seek the video.
Inside the <video> tag is a <source> tag where we place our
actual file path (in this case ‘movie.mp4’) and its mime type (in this
case ‘video/mp4’).
Finally, “Your browser does not support the video tag.” is displayed
only if someone’s web browser doesn’t support
the <video> element.

Note that with HTML5 there are options for multiple fallback sources. If
one format isn’t supported by a user’s browser then another can be
tried:
 <video width="320" height="240" controls>
<source src="movie.mp4" type="video/mp4">
<source src="movie.ogg" type="video/ogg">
Your browser does not support the video tag.
</video>

In this example, if an .mp4 file isn’t supported by a user’s browser,

then it’ll try to play the .ogg version.

There you have it! A straightforward guide on how to embed a video in

HTML. Play around with different attributes and sources until you find
what works best for your site.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Video

Embedding
Embedding a video into your HTML page can sometimes seem like an
uphill battle. Whether it’s unresponsive videos, compatibility issues, or
even the dreaded “Video not available” message, there are common
problems that many of us face. Let’s dive in and explore some
solutions to these headaches.

Unresponsive videos top the list of issues. You’ve embedded the video
but it just won’t play? It might be a case of incorrect file formats. For
optimal results, use MP4 format as it’s universally accepted across all
browsers.
 <video width="320" height="240" controls>
<source src="movie.mp4" type="video/mp4">
</video>

If you’re still having trouble despite using the right format, double-
check your file paths. An incorrect path is often the culprit behind non-
responsive videos.

Next on our list is cross-browser compatibility issues. Not all browsers

interpret HTML code in the same way – what works flawlessly in
Chrome might give Firefox a headache! To tackle this problem, provide
multiple sources within your <video> tag to cater to different browsers.

<video controls>
<source src="myVideo.mp4" type="video/mp4">
<source src="myVideo.ogg" type="video/ogg">
</video>

In this example, if the browser doesn’t support MP4 files, it’ll

automatically switch over to OGG files.

Finally comes that dreaded ‘Video not available’ message. This could
be due to copyright restrictions or geo-blocking – both out of your
control unfortunately! However, always make sure you’re embedding
from a reliable source as broken links may also cause this error
message.
Remember: patience is key here – troubleshooting isn’t always
straightforward but I hope these tips will help smooth out those pesky
video embedding issues.

Conclusion: Mastering HTML Video

Embedding
So, we’ve finally reached the end of our journey together into the world
of embedding videos in HTML. I hope you’re feeling a lot more
confident now about your skills and knowledge. It’s not as scary as it
might have seemed at first, right? Let’s recap what we’ve learned.

Embedding a video in HTML is straightforward once you get the hang

of it. The <video> tag serves as your best friend in this endeavor.
Remember the simple example we discussed:

<video width="320" height="240" controls>

<source src="movie.mp4" type="video/mp4">
Your browser does not support the video tag.
</video>

This code simply instructs your webpage to display a video with

specified dimensions (width and height), sourced from ‘movie.mp4’.
The ‘controls’ attribute allows users to play, pause, or skip through
your video.
But there’s more than just one way to use the <video> tag! You can
also leverage its flexibility for different scenarios:

Looping videos: To add an endlessly looping background video to

your page, you’ll want to include both ‘autoplay’ and ‘loop’
attributes:

<video autoplay loop muted playsinline

src="background.mp4"></video>

Multiple sources: If you’re unsure about file compatibility across

various browsers, list multiple sources within your <video> tag:

<video controls>
<source src="movie.webm" type="video/webm">
<source src="movie.mp4" type="video/mp4">
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
</video>

With practice and patience, mastering HTML video embedding

becomes second nature. By understanding these techniques and
experimenting on your own time, you’ll soon become adept at shaping
web experiences with rich, dynamic content. Keep playing around with
the <video> tag and its various attributes – you’ll be surprised at how
much you can achieve!
Remember, it’s all about taking that first step – don’t fret if things don’t
work out perfectly the first time round. It’s part of the learning curve.
And now, armed with this newfound knowledge, I’m confident that
you’re well on your way to becoming a master at HTML video
embedding!

Cristian G. Guasch
Hey! I'm Cristian Gonzalez, I created HTML Easy to help you
learn HTML easily and fast.

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