Supported File Types

What kinds of files can I transcribe?

Upload an audio or video recording containing speech, such as an interview, meeting, lecture, podcast, or voice memo. Cockatoo converts the spoken audio into an editable transcript. Video files need an audio track; on-screen text alone cannot be transcribed.

For audio and video transcription, the uploader recognizes every extension listed below. Match the ending of your filename (for example, interview.mp3) to the extension column. Uppercase extensions such as .MP3 work too.

Supported Audio Formats

File extension	Full format name
.aac, .adts	Advanced Audio Coding, in an Audio Data Transport Stream
.ac3	Dolby Digital (Audio Coding 3)
.aif, .aiff	Audio Interchange File Format
.aifc	Compressed Audio Interchange File Format
.amr	Adaptive Multi-Rate audio
.ape	Monkey's Audio
.au, .snd	Sun / NeXT audio
.awb	Adaptive Multi-Rate Wideband audio
.bwf	Broadcast Wave Format
.caf	Apple Core Audio Format
.dss	Digital Speech Standard
.dts	Digital Theater Systems audio
.dtshd	Digital Theater Systems High Definition audio (DTS-HD)
.eac3, .ec3	Enhanced Audio Coding 3 (Dolby Digital Plus)
.flac	Free Lossless Audio Codec
.m4a	MPEG-4 Audio
.m4b	MPEG-4 Audiobook
.m4r	MPEG-4 Ringtone
.mka	Matroska Audio
.mp1	MPEG Audio Layer I
.mp2	MPEG Audio Layer II
.mp3	MPEG Audio Layer III
.mpa, .mpga	MPEG Audio
.oga, .ogg	Ogg Audio
.oma	Sony OpenMG Audio
.opus	Opus Audio in an Ogg container
.qcp	Qualcomm PureVoice audio container
.qta	QuickTime Audio
.rf64	RF64, the 64-bit extension of the Waveform Audio File Format
.spx	Speex Audio in an Ogg container
.tak	Tom's lossless Audio Kompressor
.tta	True Audio
.voc	Creative Voice
.w64	Sony Wave64
.wav, .wave	Waveform Audio File Format
.weba	WebM Audio
.wma	Windows Media Audio
.wv	WavPack Audio

Supported Video Formats

Video files must contain an audio track to transcribe.

File extension	Full format name
.3g2	Third Generation Partnership Project 2 multimedia format (3GPP2)
.3gp	Third Generation Partnership Project multimedia format (3GPP)
.asf	Advanced Systems Format
.avi	Audio Video Interleave
.flv	Flash Video
.m2ts, .mts	MPEG-2 Transport Stream used by Blu-ray and AVCHD recordings
.m4v	MPEG-4 Video
.mkv	Matroska Video
.mov	Apple QuickTime Movie
.mp4	MPEG-4 Part 14
.mpeg, .mpg	Moving Picture Experts Group video (MPEG-1 / MPEG-2)
.mxf	Material Exchange Format
.ogv	Ogg Video
.ts	MPEG Transport Stream
.vob	DVD Video Object
.webm	WebM Video
.wmv	Windows Media Video

Don't see your extension? Convert the recording to MP3, WAV, or MP4 before uploading, or contact support with the file extension and the app or device that created it. Renaming the extension does not convert a file.

The file must contain readable, unencrypted audio. A recognized extension alone does not guarantee that every codec or recording variant can be processed. Raw PCM files without audio metadata are not supported directly; export them as WAV first.

How do I use the uploader?

1. Open Upload in Cockatoo and select Transcribe.
2. Drag your recordings into the upload area, or click Browse files to select them.
3. Choose V4-Fast or V4-Thinking, select the spoken language or automatic detection, and enable speaker detection if needed.
4. Start transcription and follow its progress in My Drive. For several files, expand the processing list to see each file's status.

These formats are for transcription. Use Translate for supported text documents, or Upload to Drive to store a file without transcribing it.

File Requirements

• Spoken audio: The recording needs audible speech. A silent video or a recording containing only instrumental music will not produce a spoken transcript.
• Recording quality: Clear speech and less background noise improve results.
• Readable file: The recording must be complete and unencrypted, with audio that Cockatoo can decode.
• Upload limits: Follow the file-size and usage limits shown in your account and uploader. Check the pricing page for plan details.

Troubleshooting Upload Issues

1. Check the extension against the tables above. Uppercase and lowercase extensions are both accepted.
2. Play the original file on your device to confirm it opens and contains audible speech.
3. Check the uploader's message for file-size, storage, or usage limits.
4. Check your connection if the upload stalls. Before retrying, check My Drive's processing list to avoid submitting the same file twice.
5. Export a new copy as MP3, WAV, or MP4 if the original recording cannot be read. Use your recording app or a media converter; changing the filename extension alone will not fix the format.

Still having trouble? Email support@cockatoo.com with the file extension, the app or device used to create the recording, and the exact error message.