---
title: Codec
slug: Glossary/Codec
tags:
  - Glossary
  - WebMechanics
---
A *codec* (a blend word derived from "**_co_**der-**_dec_**oder") is a program, algorithm, or device that encodes or decodes a data stream. A given codec knows how to handle a specific encoding or compression technology.

## See also

- {{Interwiki("wikipedia", "Codec")}} on Wikipedia
- [Web video codec guide](/en-US/docs/Web/Media/Formats/Video_codecs)
- [Web audio codec guide](/en-US/docs/Web/Media/Formats/Audio_codecs)
- [Guide to media types and formats on the web](/en-US/docs/Web/Media/Formats)
