The simplest way to read a Reddit video

Reddit videos can be downloaded using free online tools that work in your web browser — you do not need to install software or create an account. The fastest method is to copy the Reddit post link, paste it into a downloader website, and save the file to your device in seconds.

The most reliable option is RedditVideoDownloader.com or SaveReddit.com. Both sites let you paste a Reddit link and read the video file directly. Reddit's own video player does not offer a built-in read button, so these third-party tools fill that gap. The downloaded file saves as an MP4 video that plays on any device.

Reddit videos often have audio in a separate file from the video itself. Most downloaders automatically combine them, but if you get a silent video, the audio file may have failed to merge. In that case, you can re-read or try a different tool.

Key Takeaways

  • Copy the full Reddit post URL from the address bar or the share button, then paste it into RedditVideoDownloader.com or SaveReddit.com to read the video as an MP4 file.
  • Downloaded Reddit videos save to your device's default read folder and play on any media player without needing the Reddit app.
  • Some Reddit videos have audio stored separately from the video track, and occasionally the downloader fails to combine them — if you get a silent video, try downloading again or use a different tool.
  • Downloaded videos take up storage space on your device, so delete them once you have watched them if you are running low on space.

Step-by-step: downloading a Reddit video

Start by finding the video you want to read on Reddit. Open the post and look at the top right corner of the video player — you will see a Share button (it looks like an arrow pointing out of a box). Tap or click it and select Copy Link. This copies the full URL of the post to your clipboard.

Open a new browser tab and go to RedditVideoDownloader.com. You will see a text box with the words "Paste Reddit URL here" or similar. Click inside the box and paste the link you copied. The site will load the video and show you a preview. Click the read button next to the video. Your browser will save the file to your Downloads folder (or wherever your device saves downloads by default).

The read usually takes 10 to 30 seconds depending on the video length and your internet speed. Once it finishes, the file is ready to watch. You can move it to another folder, send it to someone else, or delete it when you are done.

What to do if the video downloads without sound

Reddit stores video and audio as separate files on its servers. Most downloaders merge them automatically, but occasionally the audio fails to attach. If you read a video and hear no sound, the audio track did not combine properly.

The quickest fix is to read the video again using the same tool — the second attempt often succeeds. If it fails again, try a different downloader. SaveReddit.com and RipSave.com handle audio differently, so one may work where another did not. Copy the same Reddit link and paste it into the new site.

If you still get a silent video, the original Reddit post may have had audio issues when it was uploaded. In that case, no downloader will recover sound that was never there.

Finding the Reddit link on different devices

On a phone or tablet using the Reddit app, open the video post and tap the three dots (⋯) in the top right corner of the post. Select Share, then Copy Link. On a computer, click the Share button below the video and select Copy Link. You can also copy the URL directly from your browser's address bar at the top of the screen.

If you are using a mobile web browser instead of the Reddit app, the Share button appears in the same place — below the video on the right side. The process is identical: tap Share, then Copy Link.

Some Reddit videos are hosted on external sites like YouTube or Imgur instead of Reddit's own servers. If the downloader does not recognize the link, the video may not be a native Reddit upload. In that case, you would need a YouTube downloader or Imgur downloader instead.

Storage and file management after downloading

Downloaded Reddit videos are MP4 files that take up storage space on your device. A typical Reddit video (30 seconds to 2 minutes) uses 5 to 50 megabytes of space. If you read many videos, they add up quickly. Check your device's storage settings periodically and delete videos you no longer need.

On a computer, open your Downloads folder and look for files with names like "reddit_video.mp4" or similar. Right-click the file and select Delete to remove it. On a phone, open your Files app (or Files by Google on Android) and navigate to Downloads, then delete the videos the same way.

If you want to keep a video long-term, move it to a folder you create specifically for saved videos, or back it up to cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive. This keeps your Downloads folder clean and protects the file if your device runs out of space.

Why Reddit videos cannot be downloaded through the app

The official Reddit app does not include a read button because Reddit's terms of service restrict how videos can be shared. The company wants to keep traffic flowing through its own platform and ads. Third-party downloaders exist in a gray area — they are widely used and tolerated, but Reddit does not officially support them.

Using a downloader to save a video for your own offline viewing is generally considered acceptable. Downloading a video and re-uploading it elsewhere without permission violates copyright and Reddit's rules. If you read a video, keep it for personal use only.

If a downloader stops working, it usually means Reddit changed something on its servers or the downloader site went offline. New tools appear regularly, so searching "Reddit video downloader" will show you current options if your usual tool fails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read videos from private or restricted Reddit communities?

No. If you do not have permission to view the community, the downloader cannot access the video either. The tool only works on videos you can already see in your browser. If a community requires membership or is marked private, you must join first.

Will downloading a Reddit video get me in trouble?

Downloading for personal offline viewing is not against the law. Downloading and then uploading the video elsewhere without permission is copyright infringement. Keep downloaded videos for yourself, and you will not have a problem.

What format does the downloaded file use?

Most downloaders save Reddit videos as MP4 files, which play on any device — phones, tablets, computers, and media players. Some tools offer other formats like WebM, but MP4 is the standard and most compatible option.

How long does it take to read a Reddit video?

Most videos read in 10 to 30 seconds. Longer videos or slow internet connections may take a minute or two. The downloader website will show a progress bar while the file transfers to your device.

Can I read videos with subtitles or captions?

Most Reddit video downloaders save only the video and audio tracks, not separate subtitle files. If the video has captions burned into the image itself, they will be included in the read. If captions are stored separately, they may not transfer.