The basic way to join videos: use a video editor
To connect videos together, you import them into a video editing program in the order you want them, then export the result as a single file. The editor places each video on its own track, lets you trim the edges if needed, and renders everything into one continuous video when you save it.
Most video editors work the same way: you create a new project, drag your video files into the timeline (the strip at the bottom that shows your video in order), arrange them left to right, and hit export. The program reads each file in sequence and writes them all into one output file. What changes between editors is how many clicks that takes and what options you get along the way.
You do not need the videos to be the same format, resolution, or frame rate — the editor handles the conversion. But the export will take longer if your source files are very different from each other, because the program has to re-encode everything to match.
Key Takeaways
- Video editors join videos by placing them on a timeline in order, then exporting the result as a single file.
- Free editors like DaVinci Resolve, OpenShot, and Shotcut can connect videos without watermarks or time limits.
- Trimming the start or end of each video before joining prevents awkward pauses or cuts between clips.
- Export settings matter: choose a format and quality level that matches what you plan to do with the final video.
- Some online tools can join videos without installing software, but they usually have file size limits and may be slower.
How to join videos in DaVinci Resolve (Windows, Mac, Linux)
DaVinci Resolve is free and does not add a watermark. Open the program, click New Project, give it a name, and click Create. You will see an empty timeline at the bottom of the screen.
In the top left, click the folder icon to open your file browser. Navigate to the folder holding your videos, then drag each one onto the timeline in the order you want them. They will stack on top of each other in the video track. If a video has audio, it will appear on an audio track below. Arrange them left to right — the leftmost video plays first.
If you want to trim the start or end of a video (to remove dead air or a false start), click on the video in the timeline, then drag the edge inward. The part you drag over will not appear in the final file. When everything looks right, go to File > Export, choose your format (MP4 is the safest choice), and click Export. The program will write the joined video to your chosen folder.
How to join videos in OpenShot (Windows, Mac, Linux)
OpenShot is also free and has no watermark. Open the program and you will see an empty timeline. On the left side, click the folder icon to browse your computer. Find your video files and drag them into the timeline at the bottom, in the order you want them.
Each video will appear as a colored bar on the timeline. Drag them left and right to reorder them, or drag the edges inward to trim. When you are ready, go to File > Export Video. Choose MP4 as your format, pick a folder to save to, and click Export. OpenShot will join the videos and save the result.
OpenShot can be slower than DaVinci Resolve on older computers, but it works the same way and produces the same result.
How to join videos in Shotcut (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Shotcut is free and lightweight. Open the program, go to File > Open, and select your first video. It will appear on the timeline. Then go to File > Open as Layers and select your second video. Repeat for each additional video.
The videos will stack in the order you open them. You can drag them on the timeline to reorder them or trim the edges. When you are done, go to File > Export, choose MP4, and click Export.
Joining videos online without installing software
If you do not want to install a program, several websites let you upload videos and join them. Sites like Kapwing, Clideo, and Ezgif have a "merge" or "combine" tool where you upload your videos, arrange them, and download the result. Most are free but limit how many videos you can join at once or how large each file can be.
Online tools are slower than desktop editors because your videos have to travel to a server, be processed there, and travel back to you. If your videos are large (over 500 MB each), uploading may take a long time or fail. For small clips or occasional use, they work fine. For regular work or large files, a desktop editor is faster.
What to do if your videos have different sizes or frame rates
If one video is 1920 × 1080 and another is 1280 × 720, the editor will fit them both into the project's base resolution. You can set the base resolution when you create a new project — most editors default to 1920 × 1080, which is standard for most videos. If a video is smaller, the editor will either stretch it (making it blurry) or letterbox it (add black bars on the sides).
To avoid this, resize your videos to match before joining them. Most editors have a resize tool, or you can use a free program like HandBrake to convert all your videos to the same resolution first. Frame rate (24, 30, or 60 frames per second) is handled automatically by the editor and does not require you to do anything — it will convert on export.
Choosing the right export format and quality
When you export, the editor asks you to choose a format and quality level. MP4 is the most compatible — it plays on phones, computers, and most websites. MOV is common on Mac. WebM is smaller but does not play on all devices.
Quality is usually a slider or a bitrate number. Higher quality means a larger file and longer export time. For videos you plan to upload to YouTube or social media, a bitrate of 5000 to 8000 kbps is standard. For videos you want to keep on your computer or share via email, 3000 to 5000 kbps is enough. If you are not sure, start with the editor's default — it is usually a safe middle ground.
Common mistakes when joining videos
The most common mistake is not trimming the start and end of each video. If your camera took a second to focus or you had a false start, that dead air will appear in the final video between clips. Always watch each video before joining and trim any awkward pauses.
Another mistake is exporting at the wrong resolution. If you export a 4K video as 1080p, it will look worse. If you export a 1080p video as 4K, the file will be huge but will not look better. Export at the same resolution your source videos are in.
A third mistake is running out of disk space during export. Joining videos creates a large temporary file while the editor works. If your hard drive is nearly full, the export will fail partway through. Free up at least 20 GB of space before exporting a long video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add transitions between videos when I join them?
Yes. Most video editors have a transitions panel where you can drag a fade, dissolve, or wipe effect between two clips. Drag the transition onto the space between two videos on the timeline. When you export, the transition will appear in the final video. Keep transitions short — one second or less — or they will feel slow.
What if I want to join videos but keep them side by side instead of one after another?
That is called a split screen or picture-in-picture. You will need to resize each video and place them on separate tracks in the timeline. Most editors have a position and scale tool that lets you shrink a video and move it to one side of the frame. This is more complex than simple joining and takes more practice.
Do I need to convert my videos to the same format before joining them?
No. The editor handles different formats automatically. You can join an MP4, a MOV, and a WebM file in the same project, and the editor will read all of them. The export process converts everything to your chosen output format.
How long does it take to join videos?
Export time depends on the total length of your videos, their resolution, and your computer's speed. A 10-minute video at 1080p usually takes 5 to 15 minutes to export on a modern computer. 4K videos take longer. Older computers or slower hard drives will take more time.
Can I undo changes after I export?
No. Export creates a new file and does not change your original videos. If you want to make changes, open your project again in the editor, make the changes, and export again. Always keep your project file saved so you can go back and edit later.