How to make green screen videos

Create professional green screen effects without expensive software. Easily add impressive visuals to your gaming video, Instagram ad, or corporate video with the free online green screen video editor.

Also known as chroma key, this special effect opens many possibilities when editing social media or corporate videos. With a green screen effect, you can replace a chosen color in a clip with a different video background and add extra flair to your content. 

Replace video backgrounds and add special effects for free with the green screen remover in Clipchamp video editor.

How to edit green screen videos for free

Step 1. Add a green screen stock video onto the timeline

Click on the content library tab on the toolbar then select videos from the visuals drop down arrow. Type 'green screen’ into the keyword search bar to browse the wide range of royalty-free green screen footage.

The content library contains a wide variety of green stock including mobile and TV frames, performers, cartoons, and graphics. Once you've selected a green screen video, drag and drop it onto the timeline.

Select a green screen video then drag and drop it onto the timeline.

To import your own video clips, click on the import media button in the your media tab on the toolbar. Upload your own media from your device or connect your OneDrive.

Step 2. Add a video clip below the green screen video

Drag and drop your video clip below the green screen video on the editing timeline. The green screen video should always be on top of all other video elements, otherwise the green screen effect will not work properly.

Step 3. Apply the green screen filter 

Click on the green screen video clip on the timeline, then click on the effects tab on the property panel and scroll down to select the green screen option.

Once you’ve selected the green screen effect, the screen threshold will appear. Drag the slider left or right to increase or decrease the intensity of the filter. You can also switch to red or blue screen options here.

Your second clip might be a different size to the green screen layer. You can easily change the size and placement of your video with the freehand tool to create a video overlay.

Step 4. Preview and save video

Ensure your video is ready to save by clicking on the play button to preview then click on the export button and select your preferred video resolution.

How to edit red or blue screen videos

Step 1. Drag and drop a red or blue screen stock video onto the timeline

The green screen editor is also compatible with red and blue stock video footage. Click on the content library tab on the toolbar and select videos from the visuals drop down arrow and browse the red or blue screen stock videos using the keyword search bar.

Step 2. Add the video clip below the red or blue screen video

Add your second media asset to the timeline the same way as green screen videos. To import your own footage, click on the import media button in the your media tab on the toolbar. You can upload files from a device, connect your OneDrive, or use stock footage from the content library. 

Drag and drop your video clip onto the timeline below the blue screen clip. Blue, red, or green screen stock must always be above all other video elements on the timeline for the effect to work.

Step 3. Apply the green screen filter 

Click on the top video clip on the timeline so it's highlighted then click on the effects tab on the property panel and select the green screen option.

This next adjustment is the only difference when adding a blue or red screen to a video. Click on the screen color dropdown and select blue. The chroma key effect will only work properly when the correct screen color is selected. 

Step 4. Edit video size and position

If your second video is bigger or smaller than the blue or red screen section, simply adjust its size and position. Click the video on the timeline so it's highlighted, then click on the clip inside the video preview.

Use the freehand tool to drag the video corners in and out to change the size. You can also reposition the clip by clicking and moving around video with your cursor.

Step 5. Preview and save your video

Ensure your video is ready to save by clicking on the play button to preview, then click on the export button and select your preferred video resolution.

How to make green screen videos for Instagram and TikTok

You can create scroll-stopping green screen clips to suit social media aspect ratios with the free video resizer. Here’s how: 

1. Drag and drop your green screen footage onto the top layer of the timeline and your underlay footage on the bottom layer. 

2. Click on the top layer then click on the effects tab on the toolbar and select the green screen option then click on the correct color and adjust the screen threshold to your liking. 

3. With no assets on the timeline selected, click on the size button on the floating toolbar and select the vertical 9:16 aspect ratio for Instagram and TikTok. 

4. The video clip will now appear in the center of the frame with black bars above and below. To remove this letterbox effect, click on the top green screen layer then click on the fill button on the floating toolbar, then do the same for the bottom layer. 

5. Both clips will now fill the screen, removing the black borders. To reframe your clips, click on each then use the freehand tool to reposition them inside the frame.  

6. If you would like to keep your video in its original proportions with the black borders intact, just ensure the bottom underlay video is positioned correctly. You can also add a color background by clicking on the background color option on the floating toolbar.

Enhance green screen videos with AI and effects

Once you've removed green screen from the video and added your own creative or branded background, take your creation to the next level by adding special effects. 

• Trim and resize video clips: it’s quick and easy to cut down unwanted segments of your video with the trimming tool. Just drag in and out the clip’s handles on the timeline using the freehand cropping tool.

• Add color backgrounds: liven up your videos with gradient and color backgrounds. Replace black screens with vibrant hues and tones using color presets or make unique custom colors using the color picker tool to extract from your screen or enter the HEX code.

• Create AI voiceovers and subtitles: craft engaging videos that are easy to follow with the AI voice generator and automatic subtitles. Create realistic voiceovers using text-to-speech and ensure accessibility with closed captions in a variety of languages.

• Overlay text and titles: convey crucial information and attribute topics and speakers with animated text and title overlays. Add intro and outro credits to your clips and make your videos easier to follow with lower thirds.

Watch how to create green screen video tutorial

Check out this step-by-step guide and follow along to apply the green screen effect to video clips.

Add final touches to chroma key videos with the online video enhancer and adding scene transitions between clips.

Create green screen videos free online in Clipchamp or download the Microsoft Clipchamp Windows app.