Paste an .m3u8 playlist URL to check whether it loads in a browser using hls.js. Useful for developers verifying their own HLS streams, CORS headers and playlist structure.
An m3u8 file is a UTF-8 text playlist at the center of HTTP Live Streaming (HLS). Instead of one large video file, HLS splits video into short segments (usually 2–10 seconds) and describes them in a playlist. The player downloads segments one by one, which allows it to switch quality based on network conditions.
There are two kinds of playlist: a media playlist that lists segment URLs, and a master playlist that lists several variant streams at different resolutions and bitrates. See the full tag reference.
| Format | Delivery | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| HLS (.m3u8 + .ts/.m4s) | Adaptive segments over HTTP | Live and on-demand streaming, broad device support |
| MP4 (progressive) | Single downloadable file | Short clips, downloads, simple embeds |
| DASH (.mpd) | Adaptive segments over HTTP | Alternative to HLS, common on large VOD platforms |
Read the detailed comparison →
application/vnd.apple.mpegurl).