- Canva’s AI video generator creates up to eight-second clips with synchronized audio from a text prompt — go to the Canva homepage, click ‘Canva AI’ then ‘Video clip’, type what you want, and hit ‘Generate video’.
- For talking heads, upload a photo or choose an AI avatar, add a script in over 40 languages, and pick an AI voice or upload your own audio.
- Finish by editing your clip in Canva’s editor (trim, crop, add transitions and filters) and download as an MP4.
Canva’s AI video generator lets you create short video clips and talking-head videos without filming anything. You type a prompt, the AI builds the scene, and in seconds you have a clip with matching sound effects and music. It’s designed for social posts, quick explainers, ads, and anywhere you need a polished video without the time or equipment for a real shoot.
This guide walks through how to use Canva’s AI video tools step by step: generating clips from prompts, turning photos into talking avatars, editing your results, and exporting the final video.
What Canva’s AI Video Generator Does
Canva calls the feature Create a Video Clip. You describe a scene in a text prompt — ‘a golden retriever running through a field at sunset’ or ‘a steaming cup of coffee on a wooden table’ — and the AI generates up to eight seconds of video. The clip comes with synchronized audio: background music, sound effects, and sometimes dialogue that matches the action.
The tool also powers talking-head videos. You upload a photo (your own or a stock portrait) or pick an AI-generated avatar, write a script, choose a voice, and the avatar speaks your words with lip-sync. Scripts can be in over 40 languages, and you can use Canva’s AI voices or upload your own audio file. Canva partners with D-ID for the talking-head technology.
Both features live inside Canva’s editor, so once your clip is generated you can trim it, layer it with other clips or images, add text overlays, apply filters, and export as an MP4.
How to Generate a Video Clip from a Text Prompt
Start from the Canva homepage. You’ll see a button or tile labeled Canva AI — click it, then choose Video clip from the menu. This opens a blank project with the AI video prompt box ready.
If you’re already inside the Canva editor working on a design, open the Elements tab in the left sidebar. Scroll to the section labeled AI-powered or search for ‘video clip’. Click the tile to bring up the prompt box.
Type a short description of the scene you want. Be specific: instead of ‘a beach’, write ‘waves crashing on a sandy beach at sunrise with seagulls flying overhead’. The more detail you give, the closer the result will match your vision. Include the mood, lighting, camera angle, and any key objects or actions.
Click Generate video. Canva will process your prompt and deliver a clip in under a minute. The clip plays on a loop so you can preview it immediately. If it’s not quite right, adjust your prompt and generate again — you can try different wording, change the setting, or ask for a different camera angle.
Each clip is up to eight seconds and includes audio. The AI picks background music and sound effects that fit the scene. If you want silence or plan to add your own soundtrack, you can mute or replace the audio in the editor after generation.
How to Create a Talking-Head Video in Canva
Talking-head videos turn a still photo into a speaking avatar. This is useful for video messages, explainer voiceovers, testimonials, or educational content where you want a human face without recording yourself on camera.
From the Canva homepage, click Canva AI and look for the talking-head or avatar option (Canva sometimes labels this ‘AI Presenter’ or groups it with video tools). Alternatively, open a video project in the editor, go to Elements, and search for ‘talking head’ or ‘AI avatar’.
You have two choices for the face:
- Upload your own photo: Use a selfie, a team member’s headshot, or any portrait where the face is clearly visible and looking at the camera. Front-facing photos with good lighting work best.
- Choose an AI-generated avatar: Canva offers a library of synthetic faces — different ages, genders, and styles. Pick one that fits the tone of your video.
Next, write the script. Type what you want the avatar to say. You can write in over 40 languages; Canva’s AI will lip-sync the avatar to the language you choose. Keep sentences clear and not too fast — the AI works best with natural pacing.
Pick a voice. Canva provides a set of AI-generated voices in different accents and tones (friendly, professional, energetic). Preview a few to find the one that matches your script. If you prefer, you can upload your own audio file — record yourself reading the script, then upload the MP3 or WAV, and the avatar will lip-sync to your recording.
Canva also offers AI dubbing for existing videos. If you already have a video with a voiceover in one language and want to translate it into another, Canva can replace the audio track and adjust the lip-sync to match the new language. This feature is separate from the talking-head generator but uses the same underlying technology.
Once you’ve set the face, script, and voice, click Generate. The talking-head video will render and drop onto your canvas. You can layer it over a background, combine it with other clips, or use it as-is.
Editing Your AI Video in Canva
After generating a clip or talking head, you’ll land in Canva’s video editor. This is where you polish the video before downloading.
Trim and crop: Click the clip on the timeline. Drag the ends to shorten it or click the scissors icon to split it into segments. If the framing isn’t right, use the crop tool to zoom in or reposition the shot.
Add transitions: Between clips, click the small square that appears and choose a transition (fade, slide, zoom). This smooths the cut between scenes.
Apply filters and effects: Select the clip and open the Effects panel. You can adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, or apply a preset filter to match a certain look.
Layer text, stickers, and graphics: Use the Text and Elements tabs to add captions, titles, logos, or animated stickers. This is especially useful for social media videos where captions help viewers who watch without sound.
Adjust or replace audio: Click the audio waveform under the clip. You can lower the volume of the AI-generated soundtrack, delete it entirely, or upload your own music from the Audio tab. Canva has a library of licensed tracks you can use, or you can upload a file from your computer.
Combine multiple clips: If you need a longer video, generate several eight-second clips with different prompts and arrange them on the timeline. You can mix AI-generated clips with uploaded footage, photos, and screen recordings.
Downloading Your Video
When you’re finished editing, click the Share button in the top-right corner and choose Download. Canva will ask you to pick a file type — select MP4 Video. You can also choose the quality (standard or high) and whether to include audio.
The download starts immediately. Depending on the length and quality, it may take a few seconds to a minute. Once it’s done, you’ll have an MP4 file ready to upload to YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or any other platform.
If you’re working on a paid Canva plan (Pro or Teams), you also get options to download without a watermark and to export in higher resolutions. Free users will see a small Canva watermark in the corner of the video.
Pricing and Plan Limits
Canva offers both free and paid access to its AI video tools. Exactly how many video generations you get per month, and which features are included, depends on your plan. Canva does not publish a fixed credit count or generation limit in its public documentation, and these limits change over time.
For the most current information on what the Free, Pro, and Teams plans include — number of AI video generations, access to premium avatars, watermark removal, and export quality — visit Canva’s official pricing page. That page will show you exactly what your plan gets you today.
Other AI Video Generators to Consider
Canva is one of many tools that turn text into video. If you need longer clips, different styles, or more control over camera motion and scene composition, you might also explore dedicated AI video platforms.
Veo 3.1 (Google) generates video clips from text prompts at $0.05 per second of output. It handles longer clips and more complex scenes than Canva, and it offers finer control over camera movement and lighting.
MiniMax H3 (also called Hailuo 3.0) is another text-to-video model, built by MiniMax, that’s popular for generating short explainer or ad clips. You’ll find a detailed comparison of how it works in our MiniMax H3 guide.
Seedance 2.5 from ByteDance is priced at $0.097 per second and supports clips up to 30 seconds. It’s strong at realistic motion and natural lighting. Read more in our Seedance 2.5 overview.
Kling 2.5 Turbo Pro (Kuaishou) costs $0.07 per second. Wan 2.5 (Alibaba) is $0.05 per second. Both are API-based services, so you’ll need to integrate them into your own workflow or use a third-party app that connects to them.
If you want an in-depth comparison of free and paid AI video tools, check our full guide: best free AI video generators and best AI video generators overall. For turning a still image into a moving video, see how to turn an image into a video with AI.
Safety, Ethics, and Labeling
AI-generated video can look real enough to mislead viewers. If you’re creating content that could be mistaken for genuine footage — especially talking-head videos using someone’s likeness — you have a responsibility to label it clearly.
Many platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, and Meta’s family of apps, require you to disclose when content is AI-generated or significantly altered. This is especially true for videos that feature realistic people, even if they’re synthetic avatars. The exact rule varies by platform, so check the guidelines before you post.
Never use someone’s face or voice without their permission. Uploading a photo of a friend, colleague, or public figure and making them say something they never said can violate their rights and damage trust. If you’re creating a talking-head video for a business or campaign, get written consent from anyone whose likeness appears.
Don’t create fake testimonials, reviews, or endorsements. If an avatar claims to be a real customer or expert, that’s deceptive. Instead, label synthetic spokespeople clearly: ‘This is an AI-generated presenter’ or ‘Voiced by AI’ in the video or caption.
For more on how deepfakes are created and how to spot them, read our guide: deepfakes: the threat and how to detect them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a Canva AI video clip be?
Each AI-generated video clip in Canva is up to eight seconds long. If you need a longer video, generate multiple clips with different prompts and arrange them on Canva’s timeline. You can also mix AI clips with uploaded footage, photos, and text slides to build a longer video inside the editor.
Can I use Canva AI videos for commercial projects?
Yes, Canva’s license allows you to use AI-generated videos in commercial projects, including ads, social media campaigns, and client work. However, if you’re using a photo of a real person as a talking head, you need that person’s permission. Canva’s terms also require you to follow platform-specific rules about labeling AI content.
Do I need a paid Canva plan to use the AI video generator?
Canva offers AI video generation on both free and paid plans, but the number of generations and the features available differ. Free users typically get a limited number of AI video clips per month and will see a watermark on downloads. Paid plans (Pro and Teams) offer more generations, no watermark, higher export quality, and access to premium avatars and voices. Check Canva’s pricing page for the current limits on each plan.
What languages are supported for talking-head scripts?
Canva’s talking-head tool supports scripts in over 40 languages. This includes widely spoken languages like English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Hindi, and Arabic, as well as many others. The AI will lip-sync the avatar to the language you choose, and you can pick from AI voices with different accents within each language.
Can I edit the AI-generated video after it’s created?
Yes. Once Canva generates your video clip or talking head, it drops onto the editor’s timeline where you can trim it, crop it, adjust the speed, layer it with other elements, add text and transitions, replace the audio, and apply filters. You’re not locked into the AI’s first output — treat it as raw footage and shape it to match your vision.
What file format does Canva export videos in?
Canva exports videos as MP4 files, which work on nearly every device and platform. When you download, you can choose between standard and high quality. High quality gives you better resolution and is the right choice if your video will be viewed on a large screen or projected. Standard quality is smaller in file size and fine for social media and mobile viewing.