How to do a green screen video

On this page

• What is the green screen effect?
• How to edit green screen video
• How to edit red or blue screen video
• Add special effects to your green screen video
• Add green screen to videos in just a few clicks

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’s 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 our stock 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 Stock video tab on the left sidebar. Scroll down to the green screen category and search through our stock footage. Drag and drop a green screen stock video onto the timeline.

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

Click on the + button to upload your personal footage to the Your media tab. Drag and drop your files from your computer into the pull-out tab, or click on the Browse files button. You can also upload your footage using our media integrations or from your phone.

Your video will now be in the Your media tab. 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.

Step 3. Apply the Green Screen Filter 

Click on the top video clip, so it’s highlighted green. Editing features will appear above the video preview window. Click on the Filters tab, then click on the Green screen filter. The green video background will be automatically removed and replaced with the video that’s below it on the timeline. Add the green screen to your video just by applying the green screen filter.

Step 4. Save your video in 1080p or GIF 

Once you have removed the background from your video, click on the Export button at the top right corner of your screen to save it. Click on either 480p, 720p, or 1080p video resolution, or save your green screen video as a 15-second GIF. We recommend selecting 1080p for all YouTube uploads. Save your video to your computer, or share it directly on YouTube with Clipchamp’s integration.

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 Stock tab then search Blue screen or a red/blue screen keyword. Drag and drop the blue or red video onto the timeline.

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

Click on the + button to upload your personal footage to the Your media tab. Drag and drop your files from your computer into the pull-out tab, or click on the Browse files button. You can also upload your footage using our media integrations or from your phone.

Your video will now be in the Your media tab. Drag and drop the video clip below the blue or red screen video on the timeline. Remember to always place the blue or red screen stock on top of all your video elements.

Step 3. Apply the Green Screen Filter 

Click on the top video clip, so it’s highlighted green. Editing features will appear above the video preview window. Click on the Filters tab, then click on the Green screen filter.

Next, click on the Filters settings tab. Under screen color, click either green, blue or red screen depending on the color of your stock footage. Your stock video will now automatically snap into place.

You can also move the Screen threshold toggle left and right to adjust the green screen clarity and saturation.

Step 4. Edit your video size and position

If your stock 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.

Once you have removed the background from your video, click on the Export button at the top right corner of your screen to save it.

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.

Add green screen to videos in just a few clicks

To use our video background remover, head over to Clipchamp’s free online video editor. 

Our video solutions don't stop at green screen effects. Once you've mastered the Chroma Key effects, add finishing touches like audio and transitions or clean up your clip with trimming tools.