Does Adobe Premiere Pro Support MKV? How to Import It?

Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the most popular video editing software options available, but users often encounter issues when trying to import certain file types, including MKV files. If you're wondering if Adobe Premiere Pro supports MKV files, you're not alone. This article breaks down MKV compatibility with Premiere Pro, solutions for importing MKV in Premiere Pro without errors, and troubleshooting tips.

Part 1. Does Premiere Pro Support MKV?

According to Adobe's official blog, only Premiere Pro CC 2018 (12.1–12.1.2) and Premiere Pro CC 2019 (13.1.2) support the import of MKV natively.

MKV (Matroska Video) is a flexible container format often used for high-quality video content, but it is not always compatible with Premiere Pro. Adobe introduced native MKV support in Premiere Pro CC 2018 (12.1-12.1.2) and continued it into CC 2019 (13.1.2). However, support was discontinued with Premiere Pro CC 2019 (13.1.3), meaning recent versions do not recognize MKV files by default. Thus, if you're using earlier versions like CC 2017 or newer ones such as CC 2022, you'll likely encounter an error when trying to import MKV files.

While downgrading or upgrading might seem like an option, even supported versions can fail to import MKV files due to codec issues within the MKV container, as Adobe Premiere Pro may not support all codecs used in MKV.

Part 2. How to Solve Cannot Import MKV in Premiere Pro Issue?

If you encounter an import error when trying to add an MKV file to Adobe Premiere Pro, there are several solutions to bypass these Adobe Premiere Pro MKV importing issues, including converting the file format or adjusting the file extension.

Way 1: [100% Working]Convert MKV to Premiere Pro Supported Formats

HitPaw Video Converter is an excellent tool for converting MKV files to formats natively supported by Adobe Premiere Pro, such as MP4 or MOV. An efficient converter should support multiple formats, provide a simple user interface, and offer a quick, seamless conversion process. HitPaw Video Converter meets all these criteria and comes equipped with additional features like a built-in video editor, compressor, screen recorder, and DVD burner.

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• Convert MKV to Premiere-supported MP4, MOV, AVI, H.264, ProRes, etc.
• Remux MKV to MP4 without converting or losing quality.
• Edit videos with trimming, merging, adding subtitles, adjusting audio, etc.
• Batch conversion support for multiple files at once.
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Convert to Import MKV into Premier with HitPaw Video Converter

• Step 1.Open HitPaw Video Converter and select Add Video to import your MKV file(s) or drag them directly into the program.

  

• Step 2.Select Output Format: Click “Convert all to” and choose a Premiere-compatible format (e.g., MP4) from the Video tab.

  

• Step 3.Convert and Access Files: Once conversion completes, go to the Converted tab, click Open Folder to access files, or select Add to Edit List for further edits.

  

Way 2: Change the File Extension to Import MKV into Premiere

An alternate quick fix is to change the MKV file extension to a format that Premiere might recognize, such as MP4. While this doesn't always work due to codec differences, it's a simple method to try before more involved solutions.

Way 3: Convert MKV to MP4 via VLC to Import into Premiere

VLC Media Player is a popular free media player that also includes conversion functionality. It can convert MKV files to MP4, making them compatible with Premiere Pro. However, VLC's user interface can be complex, and conversion speeds are slower, making it ideal mainly for users who already have VLC installed.

• 1.Download VLC: Get the latest version from VLC's official site.

• 2.Open VLC and Choose Convert/Save: Go to Media > Convert / Save.

• 3.Add MKV File: Select Add and choose the MKV file to import.

• 4.Choose Conversion Profile: In the Convert window, choose Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4) from the profile list.

  

• 5.Select Destination: Click Browse to set the output file location, then click Start.

  

Part 3. How to Import MKV into Premiere Pro CC 2018 12.1 and Earlier

If you're using Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2018 (version 12.1 or earlier), MKV files can be imported natively. Here's a quick guide to importing and editing MKV files in supported versions:

• 1.Launch Premiere Pro and create a new project by clicking New Project.
• 2.Set Project Name and Destination Folder as desired, then click OK.
• 3.Import the MKV File: Go to File > Import and select your MKV video(s).
• 4.Add to Timeline: Drag and drop the imported video to the Timeline Panel for editing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adobe Premiere Pro and MKV

Conclusion

Adobe Premiere Pro's limited support for MKV files can be a challenge, but with tools like HitPaw Video Converter and VLC Media Player, you can efficiently convert MKV files to compatible formats. While older versions of Premiere Pro may support MKV natively, codec limitations often lead to import errors. By converting MKV to a format like MP4, you can seamlessly import and edit videos in Premiere Pro without issue.