Force HTML5 youtube video

html

responsive-design

html5

video-embedding

byAlex Kataev·Feb 7, 2025

Catch the realm of HTML5 YouTube video embedding using html5=1 in the iframe embed URL:

<iframe width="640" height="360"
  src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID?html5=1"
  frameborder="0"></iframe>

Simply swap VIDEO_ID with the identifier of your desired video. By using this technique, you're commissioning the HTML5 player, compatible with all modern browsers, enhancing both platform compatibility and overall performance.

Don't worry about any HTML5 Trials as this method is available straight off the shelf. Do ensure that your browser preferences are correct, such as disabling Flash, as some browsers may still default to Flash, despite the availability of an HTML5 player.

Why HTML5 over Flash?

HTML5 holds several advantages over Flash to improve your users' watching experience:

Speed: Overall, HTML5 videos load faster for your users.
Compatibility: HTML5 works on a broad range of devices, including mobile devices.
Efficiency: HTML5 is known to drain less battery on portable devices.
Future-Proof: With Flash being phased out, HTML5 is the standard of the future.

Advanced embedding techniques

Here, we're diving into the deep end of the pool for control freaks:

Modify the player parameters

Bend YouTube's API player parameters to your will:

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID?autoplay=1&mute=1&html5=1"
  frameborder="0"></iframe>

Add autoplay and mute (they play well together) with the html5=1 parameter to comply with the modern browser's autoplay policies.

Using the YouTube Iframe API

If the scenario demands event handling or access to player state (cue evil laugh):

// Ssh! The magician is preparing his magical scroll
var tag = document.createElement('script');
tag.src = "https://www.youtube.com/iframe_api";
var firstScriptTag = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
firstScriptTag.parentNode.insertBefore(tag, firstScriptTag);

// And presto, the magic begins!
var player;
function onYouTubeIframeAPIReady() {
  player = new YT.Player('player', {
    height: '360',
    width: '640',
    videoId: 'VIDEO_ID',
    playerVars: { 'html5': 1 }, // whispering "Open Sesame" to the door
  });
}

Embed without iframes

If your site argues with iframe embedding, or you have to cater to legacy needs, try having a tea party with object codes:

<object width="640" height="360">
  <param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/VIDEO_ID?version=3&html5=1"></param>
  <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
  <embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/VIDEO_ID?version=3&html5=1"
    type="application/x-shockwave-flash"
    allowfullscreen="true"
    width="640" height="360">
  </embed>
</object>

Maximizing HTML5 Potential

Cross-browser compatibility

Use robust tools like Modernizr for HTML5 features detection and ensuring fallbacks for older browsers (because we care):

if (Modernizr.video) {
  // Time for some HTML5 magic!
} else {
  // Sorry old chap, we're rolling back the times for you
}

Browser compatibility checks

Pop over to the YouTube HTML5 settings to double-check if your browser is trained to perform all the necessary stunts for HTML5 playback.

Responsive to all devices

Don't forget to roll out the red carpet for responsive design to ensure your video player dazzles on all screen sizes:

<div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; padding-top: 25px; height: 0;">
  <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID?html5=1"
    frameborder="0"
    style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;">
  </iframe>
</div>