The simplest way to merge two videos depends on what you already have on your computer

You can merge two videos without buying software. Windows comes with Photos, Mac comes with iMovie, and both can combine video clips into a single file. If you want more control over how the videos transition or where they sit in the timeline, you will need a video editor — either a free one like DaVinci Resolve or a paid one like Adobe Premiere Pro. The choice depends on whether you need basic joining or frame-by-frame editing.

The process itself is straightforward: you import both video files into the editor, place them on the timeline one after the other, and export the result as a new video file. The time this takes depends on your computer's speed and the video length — a two-minute merge might take five minutes to export on an older machine, or 30 seconds on a newer one.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Photos and Mac iMovie can merge videos without installing anything new, though they offer fewer editing options than dedicated video editors.
  • Free editors like DaVinci Resolve and Shotcut give you control over transitions, timing, and audio, and work on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
  • Video file format matters: if your two videos use different codecs or resolutions, the editor may need to convert one before merging.
  • Exporting a merged video takes longer than editing it — a five-minute video might take 10 to 30 minutes to export depending on your computer and the quality you choose.

Merging videos in Windows Photos

Windows Photos is built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. Open the first video in Photos, click the Edit button (pencil icon), then look for the option to create a video project or story remix. From there you can add the second video to the timeline below the first one. Photos will place them back-to-back with no gap.

This method works well if both videos are already on your computer and you do not need to adjust timing or add transitions. The exported file will be saved to your Videos folder. The downside is that Photos offers almost no control — you cannot trim the videos, adjust when they start, or add a fade between them without switching to a different tool.

Merging videos in Mac iMovie

iMovie is free on any Mac with macOS 10.14 or newer. Open iMovie, create a new project, then drag both video files into the timeline at the bottom of the screen. iMovie will place them in the order you drag them. You can click between the two clips to add a transition (fade, dissolve, or slide), or leave them cut together with no transition at all.

iMovie also lets you trim each clip before merging — click on a clip and drag its edges inward to cut out unwanted sections. When you are done, go to File > Share > File and choose a resolution. The export will save to your Downloads folder by default. iMovie is simpler than most paid editors but more flexible than Photos.

Using DaVinci Resolve for more control

DaVinci Resolve is free on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is a professional-grade video editor that handles merging, trimming, color correction, and audio mixing. read it from Blackmagic Design's website, install it, and open a new project.

Import both videos by going to File > Import Media, then drag them onto the timeline in the order you want them. You can click and drag the edges of each clip to trim it, adjust the gap between clips, or click between them to add a transition from the Effects panel. DaVinci Resolve has a steeper learning curve than iMovie or Photos, but it gives you precise control over every aspect of the merge.

When you are ready to export, go to File > Export and choose your format. DaVinci Resolve defaults to H.264, which works on most devices. The export process is slower than in simpler editors — a 10-minute video might take 20 to 40 minutes depending on your computer — but the quality is high.

What to do if your videos have different formats or resolutions

If one video is 1920×1080 (Full HD) and the other is 1280×720 (HD), most editors will ask you to choose a project resolution when you start. Pick the lower resolution if you want to avoid quality loss, or pick the higher one if you want the smaller video scaled up. The scaling is automatic — you do not have to do it yourself.

If the videos use different codecs (the compression method used to create the file), the editor may need to convert one before merging. This happens in the background and you will not see it, but it can add time to the export. You can check a video's codec by right-clicking it, selecting Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac), and looking for the video format or codec field.

Exporting your merged video

After you place both videos on the timeline and add any transitions or trims, you export the result as a new file. Every editor has an Export or Share button. You will be asked to choose a format (usually MP4 or MOV), a resolution, and a quality level. Higher quality means larger file size and longer export time.

For most purposes, 1080p at medium quality is a good balance. The export process locks your computer to that task — you can usually still use other programs, but video editing will slow everything down. A two-minute merged video might take 5 to 15 minutes to export on a typical computer. Once it finishes, the new file will be saved to the location you chose, usually your Downloads or Videos folder.

Free alternatives if you do not want to install software

Online video editors like Kapwing, Clipchamp, and WeVideo let you merge videos in your web browser without installing anything. Upload both videos, drag them onto the timeline, and export. These tools are slower than desktop software because the processing happens on their servers, not your computer — a five-minute merge might take 10 to 20 minutes. Most also limit how much you can do for free, either by file size, video length, or number of exports per month.

Online editors are useful if you only merge videos occasionally or if your computer is too old to run desktop software smoothly. They are not ideal if you merge videos regularly or need to work offline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I merge videos that are different sizes or aspect ratios?

Yes. Your editor will ask you to choose a project size when you start, then fit both videos into that frame. If one video is wider than the other, the editor will add black bars above and below the narrower one, or scale it to fill the frame. You control which happens in the export settings.

Will merging two videos reduce the quality?

Not if you export at the same resolution as your original videos. Quality loss only happens if you scale a video up (make it larger) or export at a lower resolution than the originals. Merging itself does not degrade quality — the video data stays the same.

How long does it take to merge two videos?

Editing takes a few minutes. Exporting takes much longer — usually 10 to 30 minutes for a five-minute video, depending on your computer speed and the quality you choose. Older computers and higher quality settings both increase export time.

What file format should I use for the merged video?

MP4 is the most compatible format — it plays on phones, computers, and most websites. MOV works well on Mac and some other devices. If you are uploading to YouTube or social media, MP4 is the safest choice. Your editor will let you choose the format when you export.

Can I merge more than two videos at once?

Yes. Every editor mentioned here can handle three, four, or more videos on the same timeline. The process is the same — import all of them, arrange them in order, and export. The export time increases with each additional video.