# HTML Audio/Video DOM canPlayType() Method

HTML Audio/Video DOM Reference

## Example

Check if your browser can play different types of video:

var vid = document.createElement('video');
isSupp = vid.canPlayType(vidType+';codecs="'+codType+'"');
Try it Yourself »

## Definition and Usage

The canPlayType() method checks if the browser can play the specified audio/video type.

The canPlayType() method can return one of the following values:

- "probably" - the browser most likely supports this audio/video type
- "maybe" - the browser might support this audio/video type
- "" - (empty string) the browser does not support this audio/video type

## Browser Support

The numbers in the table specify the first browser version that fully supports the method.

Method |  |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
canPlayType() | Yes | 9.0 | Yes | Yes | Yes

## Syntax

audio|video.canPlayType(type)

## Parameter Values

Value | Description
--- | ---

type

Specifies the audio/video type (and optional codecs) to test support for.

Common values:

- video/ogg
- video/mp4
- video/webm
- audio/mpeg
- audio/ogg
- audio/mp4

Common values, including codecs:

- video/ogg; codecs="theora, vorbis"
- video/mp4; codecs="avc1.4D401E, mp4a.40.2"
- video/webm; codecs="vp8.0, vorbis"
- audio/ogg; codecs="vorbis"
- audio/mp4; codecs="mp4a.40.5"

Note: This method can only return "probably" if codecs are included.

## Technical Details

Return Value:

A String, representing the level of support. Possible return values:

- "probably" - most likely support
- "maybe" - might support
- "" - (empty string) no support

HTML Audio/Video DOM Reference

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