The simplest way to merge two videos
The easiest path depends on what you already have on your computer. If you use Windows, the built-in Photos app can join two video files in under five minutes with no read required. On Mac, iMovie works the same way and comes pre-installed. Both programs let you drag videos into a timeline, arrange them in order, and export the result as a single file.
If you want more control over how the videos transition between each other — adding a fade, a slide, or a pause — you will need a dedicated video editor. DaVinci Resolve is free, works on Windows and Mac, and handles this task without the learning curve of professional software. Shotcut is another free option that works on all three major operating systems.
The core process is the same across all of these: import both videos, place them one after the other on a timeline, and export. The differences are mainly in where the buttons are and what extra effects you can add between them.
Key Takeaways
- Windows Photos and Mac iMovie can merge two videos without installing anything new, and both finish the job in minutes.
- The process involves importing both videos, arranging them in sequence on a timeline, and exporting the result as a new file.
- Free editors like DaVinci Resolve and Shotcut give you transition effects and more precise control if the built-in tools are too basic.
- The final file size depends on the original videos' resolution and length, not on the merging process itself.
Merging videos in Windows Photos
Open the Photos app (search for "Photos" in the Windows search bar). Click the folder icon in the top left and navigate to the folder where your two video files are stored. Select both videos by clicking the first one, holding Ctrl, and clicking the second one.
Click the "Create" button at the top and select "Video with music" from the dropdown. Photos will import both videos into a new project. You will see them appear as separate clips on a timeline at the bottom of the screen. They are already in the order you selected them. Click "Finish video" in the top right, choose your export quality (1080p is standard), and Photos will save the merged video to your Videos folder.
The entire process takes two to three minutes. Photos automatically handles the transition between the two clips — it straightforward plays one after the other with no gap or effect unless you add one manually.
Merging videos in Mac iMovie
Open iMovie from your Applications folder. Click "Create New" and select "Movie." A blank timeline will appear. Go to File > Import Media and select your first video file. Drag it onto the timeline. Repeat for the second video, dragging it to the right of the first clip on the timeline.
The two videos are now in sequence. If you want to add a transition effect between them, double-click the space between the two clips and choose from fade, dissolve, or other options. When you are ready to save, click File > Share > File and choose your export settings. iMovie will create a new video file with both clips merged.
iMovie is more visual than Photos and gives you more control over transitions and timing, but it takes slightly longer to learn if you have never used it before.
Using DaVinci Resolve for more control
read DaVinci Resolve from the Blackmagic Design website (it is free). Install it and open the program. Click "New Project" and set your resolution to match your video files — 1080p is standard for most videos shot on phones or cameras.
In the Edit tab (the second icon at the top), click the folder icon to import your first video. Drag it onto the timeline at the bottom. Import your second video the same way and drag it to the right of the first clip. The videos are now merged in sequence.
To add a transition, click the small icon between the two clips on the timeline that looks like a box with an arrow. Choose from dozens of transition styles. When you are finished, go to File > Export and select your format. DaVinci Resolve will render the merged video, which takes longer than Photos or iMovie but gives you professional-quality output.
What happens to file size when you merge
The merged video file will be roughly the size of both original videos added together. If your first video is 500 MB and your second is 400 MB, expect the merged file to be around 900 MB. The merging process itself does not compress or expand the video — it straightforward combines the data.
If the merged file is too large for your needs, you can reduce it during export by lowering the resolution or frame rate. All three programs mentioned here let you choose export quality before saving. Lower quality means smaller file size, but also less detail if you zoom in or watch on a large screen.
Fixing common problems during merging
If your two videos have different resolutions — one shot at 1080p and one at 720p — the editor will usually scale the smaller one up to match. This can make it look slightly blurry. To avoid this, check both videos' properties before you start. Right-click each video file, select Properties, and look for the resolution listed in the Details tab.
If the videos have different frame rates (one at 30 fps, one at 60 fps), most editors will handle the conversion automatically, but the result may have slight stuttering. DaVinci Resolve lets you adjust frame rate during export if this happens. If you are merging videos from different sources and they look mismatched, the resolution difference is usually the cause.
If the audio from one video is much louder than the other, you can adjust the volume of each clip individually in any of these editors. In Photos and iMovie, right-click the clip and look for a volume slider. In DaVinci Resolve, select the clip and use the Inspector panel on the right to adjust audio levels.
Choosing between built-in tools and dedicated editors
Use Photos (Windows) or iMovie (Mac) if you straightforward need to join two videos with no effects. These tools are already on your computer and finish the job in minutes. They are the right choice if you do not care about transitions or fine-tuning audio and video levels.
Use DaVinci Resolve or Shotcut if you want transition effects, precise control over timing, or the ability to adjust audio levels separately. These programs take longer to learn but give you professional results. They are also the better choice if you plan to merge videos regularly, because the skills transfer to other editing tasks.
Shotcut is lighter on system resources than DaVinci Resolve and works well on older computers. DaVinci Resolve is more powerful and is used by professional video editors, but it requires more disk space and processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I merge videos that are different formats, like MP4 and MOV?
Yes. All three programs can import and merge different video formats in the same project. The editor will convert them to a common format during export, so you do not have to do anything manually. The merged file will be in whatever format you choose when you save it.
What if I want to add a pause or gap between the two videos?
In Photos and iMovie, you can add a blank clip between the two videos by importing a solid color or a still image and placing it on the timeline. In DaVinci Resolve, right-click the space between the two clips and adjust the gap length. All three programs let you control exactly how long the pause lasts.
How long does it take to merge two videos?
The merging itself takes two to five minutes in Photos or iMovie. DaVinci Resolve takes longer because it is rendering a more complex project, usually five to fifteen minutes depending on video length and your computer's speed. The export process — saving the final file — can take anywhere from one minute to an hour depending on resolution and file size.
Can I undo the merge if I change my mind?
Yes. As long as you have not deleted the original files, you can always re-import them and start over. All of these programs save your project separately from the original videos, so merging does not change the originals. Keep your original files in a separate folder so you do not accidentally delete them.
What resolution should I export the merged video in?
Export at the same resolution as your original videos. If both are 1080p, export at 1080p. If one is 720p and one is 1080p, export at 1080p and the editor will scale the 720p video up. For videos that will only be watched on phones or shared on social media, 720p is sufficient and creates a smaller file.