Start with a template or blank canvas
Open Canva in your web browser or mobile app and click the "Create a design" button. Search for "video" in the template library, or type in your video dimensions if you know them — Canva offers presets for YouTube, Instagram Reels, TikTok, and other platforms. If none of those match what you need, you can enter custom width and height in pixels.
Canva's video editor opens with a blank timeline at the bottom of the screen. The canvas in the center shows what your video will look like. On the left side, you'll see tabs for uploading your own video clips, adding text, inserting shapes, and accessing Canva's library of stock footage, music, and images.
Key Takeaways
- Canva's video editor works with templates or a blank canvas, and you build your video by dragging elements onto the timeline at the bottom of the screen.
- You can upload your own video files, use Canva's stock footage library, add text with built-in animations, and layer multiple clips and images on top of each other.
- The timeline shows the order and duration of each element — you can trim clips, adjust when text appears, and control how long each frame stays on screen.
- Canva's free plan includes basic features and some stock content; paid plans unlock more music tracks, premium templates, and higher video export quality.
- When your video is finished, export it as an MP4 file that you can upload to social media, email, or save to your computer.
Upload video clips or choose from Canva's library
Click the "Uploads" tab on the left to add your own video files. Canva accepts MP4, MOV, WebM, and other common formats. Drag the file from your computer into the upload area, or click to browse your folders. Once uploaded, your video appears in the Uploads section and you can drag it onto the canvas.
If you don't have video footage, click the "Elements" tab and search for "video" or browse by category — Canva has thousands of stock video clips you can use for free or with a paid subscription. These range from straightforward transitions and backgrounds to full scenes of people, nature, and objects. Drag any clip onto the canvas to add it to your timeline.
When you place a clip on the canvas, it appears as a block on the timeline. You can see exactly how long it runs and where it sits relative to other clips. If you want to trim it, hover over the edges of the block and drag inward to cut out the beginning or end.
Add text, animations, and effects
Click the "Text" tab to add words to your video. Choose a font style, type your message, and click on the canvas to place it. The text appears as its own block on the timeline — you can drag it left or right to change when it appears, and drag the edges to control how long it stays visible.
To make text more interesting, click on it and look for the "Animate" button. Canva offers entrance animations (text slides in, fades, bounces), emphasis animations (text shakes or grows), and exit animations (text slides out or disappears). Each animation has a duration you can adjust. The animation plays during the time the text block occupies on the timeline.
You can also add shapes, images, and stickers the same way — find them in the Elements tab, drag them onto the canvas, and animate them if you want. Layer multiple elements on top of each other by dragging them to different positions on the canvas. Elements that sit higher on the canvas appear in front of those below.
Adjust timing and add transitions
The timeline at the bottom shows the total length of your video and where each clip, text block, and image sits. Click on any element's block to select it, then drag it left or right to change when it appears. Drag the right edge of a block inward to shorten how long it displays, or outward to extend it.
To add a transition between clips — a fade, slide, or other effect that plays as one clip ends and the next begins — click between two video blocks on the timeline. A transition icon appears. Click it to choose from Canva's transition library. The transition plays for the duration you set, usually between 0.5 and 2 seconds.
Watch your video at any time by clicking the play button above the canvas. The playhead (a vertical line) moves across the timeline as the video plays, so you can see exactly when each element appears and disappears.
Add music and sound effects
Click the "Audio" tab to browse Canva's music and sound effect library. Search by mood, genre, or instrument — you'll find background music, ambient sounds, and short effects like applause or notification pings. Click any track to preview it, then click again to add it to your video.
Audio appears as a separate track on the timeline, usually below your video clips. You can drag it left or right to change when it starts, and drag the edges to trim it. If your audio is longer than your video, trim it so it ends when the video ends. You can also adjust the volume by clicking the audio block and using the volume slider.
If you upload your own audio file, click "Uploads" in the Audio tab and drag your MP3 or WAV file onto the canvas the same way you would a video clip.
Export your finished video
When your video is complete, click the "read" button in the top right corner. Canva asks what format you want — choose MP4 for the most compatible option. On the free plan, videos export at standard quality; paid plans offer higher resolutions.
The read takes a few seconds to a few minutes depending on your video's length and your internet speed. Once it finishes, the MP4 file saves to your computer's Downloads folder. You can then upload it to YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, email it to someone, or share it however you need.
If you want to make changes later, save your project by clicking the menu icon (three dots) and selecting "Save as draft." Canva stores it in your account so you can open it again and edit it anytime.
Free plan versus paid features
Canva's free plan includes basic video editing, access to thousands of stock videos and images, and the ability to export MP4 files. You can use most fonts, animations, and transitions without paying. The main limits are that some premium templates, music tracks, and stock content are locked behind a paywall.
Canva Pro (a paid subscription) unlocks the full music library, premium stock footage, more fonts and animations, and the ability to resize videos for different platforms with one click. If you're making videos regularly, the paid plan saves time. If you're making one or two videos, the free plan has everything you need.
Both plans let you work on videos as long as you want before exporting. You only use Canva's read quota when you actually read the finished file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a video I already made in another app?
Yes. Export your video from the other app as an MP4 file, then upload it to Canva and add text, music, transitions, or other elements on top. You can also trim the video in Canva by dragging the edges of the clip on the timeline.
What if my video is too long or too short?
Drag the edges of each clip on the timeline to trim it shorter, or add more clips, text, or music to make it longer. You can also add a static image or title card at the end to extend the total duration. The timeline shows your total video length at the top.
Can I use copyrighted music in my video?
Music from Canva's library is licensed for you to use in your videos. If you upload your own music, make sure you own it or have permission to use it. YouTube and other platforms will flag copyrighted music you don't have rights to, which can mute your video or block it entirely.
How do I make text appear at a specific moment in the video?
Add the text, then drag its block on the timeline to the exact moment you want it to appear. Drag the right edge of the block to control when it disappears. You can also use animations to make the text fade in or slide in at that moment, which looks more polished than it just appearing.
Can I read my video in a different format besides MP4?
Canva's read button offers MP4 as the standard option. Some browsers or devices may let you save as WebM or other formats, but MP4 is the most widely supported and works on all social media platforms and devices.