Video Editing

How to make green screen videos

Updated April 21, 2023

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Whether you’re creating a YouTube gaming video, Instagram ad, tutorial, or corporate video, replace video backgrounds or add special effects for free with Clipchamp green screen video editor

What is the green screen effect?

Green screen, also known as Chroma Key or picture-in-picture, is a special effects technique that lets you remove a chosen color (usually green, red, or blue) from video clips, then replace it with another video or image.

How to edit green screen video

If you don’t have the time or resources to DIY your own green screen video footage, don’t worry. Use one of our ready-to-use green screen templates, or search the content library full of high-quality green, red, and blue screen footage, images, backgrounds, and GIFs.

Step 1. Drag and drop a green screen stock video onto the timeline

Click on the content library tab on the toolbar. Look through the green screen stock videos by filtering using the keyword search bar. Type in keywords like 'green screen'. Click on the videos category to scroll through the green screen video options.

An image of a user searching for green screen video.

Drag and drop a green screen stock video onto the timeline.

An image of a user dragging and dropping stock onto the timeline.

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

To import your own videos, click on the import media button in the your media tab on the toolbar to browse your computer files, import videos from your phone, or connect your OneDrive.  

An image of a user importing media.

Drag and drop the video clip below the green screen video on the timeline. Remember to always place the green screen stock on top of all your video elements.

An image of a user adding personal footage to the timeline.

Step 3. Apply the green screen filter 

Click on the top video clip on your timeline, so it’s highlighted green. Then, click on the effects tab on the property panel, and click on the green screen effect option.

An image of a user applying the green screen effect.

Here, you'll be able to edit the screen threshold using the slider, and edit the screen color to green, blue, or red. If your green screen is red or blue, click on the red or blue options.

An image of a user editing with the green screen threshold slider.

Step 4. Preview and save your video

Before saving your new video, make sure to preview by clicking on the play button. When you’re ready to save, click on the export button and select a video resolution. We recommend saving all videos in 1080p video resolution for the best quality. Paid subscribers can save in 4K video resolution.  

An image of a user exporting their video.

How to edit red or blue screen video

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

Our green screen feature also is compatible with red and blue stock video footage. Click on the content library tab on the toolbar. Look through the red or blue screen stock videos by filtering using the keyword search bar. Click on the videos category to scroll through the blue and red screen video options.

An image of a user searching for blue screen stock in the content library.

Next, drag and drop the blue screen asset onto the timeline.

An image of a user adding the blue screen stock video to the timeline.

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

Just like the tutorial above, add your second media asset to the timeline. To import your own videos, click on the import media button in the your media tab on the toolbar to browse your computer files, import videos from your phone, or connect your OneDrive.  

An image of a user uploading personal media.

Drag and drop the video clip below the blue screen video on the timeline. Remember to always place the blue, red, or green screen stock on top of all your video elements.

An image of a user adding video to the timeline.

Step 3. Apply the green screen filter 

Click on the top video clip on your timeline, so it’s highlighted green. Then, click on the effects tab on the property panel, and click on the green screen effect option.

An image of a user clicking on the effects tab then green screen option.

Make sure to change the green screen filter from green to blue using the screen options. Click on screen color drop down arrow, then select blue.

An image of a user editing the screen color to blue.

Step 4. Edit your video size and position

If your video is bigger than the blue or red screen section, just adjust the size and position of the video. Click on the video on the timeline, so it's highlighted green. Drag the video corners in and out to edit the size. Use the freehand tool to move the video around the video preview screen.

An image of a user editing the size of a video using the editing corners on the video preview.

Step 5. Preview and save your video

Before saving your new video, make sure to preview by clicking on the play button. When you’re ready to save, click on the export button and select a video resolution. We recommend saving all videos in 1080p video resolution for the best quality. Paid subscribers can save in 4K video resolution.  

An image of a user exporting a video.

Add special effects to your green screen video

Take your green screen video to the next level by adding special effects.

Trim and resize video clips

If you need to trim awkward silences or unwanted sections from your reaction video, just use the trimming tool. All you have to do is drag in and out the clips green sidebars on the timeline. Using our free-hand cropping tool, resize video clips without any restrictions.

Add your brand kit and personalize text

If you want to make your videos recognizable and consistent, add your brand kit to our green screen video editor. Choose from a wide variety of title fonts, styles, captions, and colors, and add your logo. Your logo can also become a watermark for your videos by reducing the opacity.

Use professional video effects

If you want to add another element to your green screen video, check out our AI voiceover feature. Create a free voiceover from a diverse range of voices in many different languages, accents, and ages.

Apply green screen to webcam recordings

Are you working from home and want to remove the background from a webcam recording? Either webcam record your video in front of your own green, red, or blue screen or select a stock green screen background. Our green screen effects work on all videos.

Frequently asked questions

What videos can I make with the green screen effects?

Creators can easily make anything from YouTube, gaming, tutorials, and corporate videos to green screen memes, GIFs, social media, and real estate videos.

Do I need a green screen to insert a background into a video?

Yes. If you are recording your own green screen footage, make sure your background is a red, blue, or green color, or else the background remover feature won’t work.

Is Clipchamp green screen video editor free?

Yes. All free users can access a limited selection of green screen stock footage and templates, but all users can save in 1080p video resolution. Access all green screen stock and templates by upgrading your account.

Once you've mastered the Chroma Key effects, add final touches to your video like audio and transitions or clean up your clip with trimming tools.

Start creating videos today with Clipchamp for free or easily download the Clipchamp Windows app.  

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