The simplest way to slow a video depends on what you're watching and what device you're using

Most video players built into Windows, macOS, and phones have a speed control buried in their settings. On YouTube, Vimeo, and most streaming services, you can right-click the video (or tap the three dots on mobile) and find a playback speed menu — usually showing options like 0.5x, 0.75x, 1x, and 1.25x. This slows the video without changing the audio pitch, so dialogue stays intelligible.

If you're working with a video file on your computer — something you downloaded or recorded yourself — your options depend on whether you want to slow it permanently (by re-encoding the file) or just watch it slower. Watching slower is faster and easier. Re-encoding takes time but gives you a file you can share or edit further.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube, Netflix, and most streaming platforms have a playback speed menu accessible by right-clicking the video or tapping the menu button.
  • Windows Media Player, VLC, and QuickTime all have speed controls in their playback menus, usually accessible without leaving the video window.
  • To permanently slow a video file, you need video editing software like DaVinci Resolve (free), Adobe Premiere, or FFmpeg (command line).
  • Slowing video without re-encoding keeps the file size the same but makes playback slower; re-encoding creates a new file that plays at the slower speed by default.

Slowing video on streaming platforms and websites

On YouTube, move your mouse to the bottom right of the video player and click the settings icon (gear symbol). Select "Playback speed" and choose your speed. The same menu works on Vimeo, though the icon location varies slightly. Netflix has a similar menu but only on desktop — the mobile app does not offer speed control.

On most other websites, right-click directly on the video and look for "Playback speed" or "Speed" in the context menu. If that does not appear, the website may not support speed control through the player. In that case, your browser's developer tools can sometimes override it, but that is more technical than most people need.

Slowing video files on Windows

If you have a video file saved on your computer, Windows Media Player (built into Windows 10 and 11) has a speed control. Open the file, then right-click the video and select "Playback speed settings." You can set speeds from 0.25x to 2x. The change only affects that playback session — the original file stays unchanged.

VLC, a free media player that works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, offers more precise speed control. Open your video, then go to Tools > Preferences > Playback and Codecs, or use the keyboard shortcut: press the minus key to slow down and the plus key to speed up during playback. You can also right-click the video and select "Playback Speed" for a menu of preset speeds.

Slowing video files on Mac

QuickTime Player, the built-in Mac video player, has a speed menu. Open your video, then click the Edit menu and select "Playback Speed." You can choose from 0.5x, 0.75x, 1x, 1.25x, 1.5x, or 2x. Like Windows Media Player, this only affects the current playback — the file itself does not change.

VLC works on Mac the same way it works on Windows. Download it free from videolan.org, open your video, and use the Tools menu or keyboard shortcuts to adjust speed. VLC is useful if you want the same speed controls across different devices or if QuickTime's preset speeds do not match what you need.

Permanently slowing a video file with editing software

If you need to create a new video file that plays at a slower speed — for sharing, uploading, or further editing — you need video editing software. DaVinci Resolve is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Download it, import your video, right-click the clip on the timeline, select "Change Clip Speed," and enter a percentage (50% for half speed, 75% for three-quarter speed). Then export the file as a new video.

Adobe Premiere Pro costs money but offers the same feature: drag your video to the timeline, right-click it, select "Speed/Duration," and adjust the speed percentage. Export when you are done. Both programs preserve audio quality and let you slow different parts of the video at different rates if you need that level of control.

If you are comfortable with the command line, FFmpeg is a free tool that can slow video without opening a graphical interface. The command looks like this: ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -filter:v "setpts=1.5*PTS" output.mp4 (the 1.5 means 50% slower; use 2 for twice as slow). This approach is faster for batch processing many files at once.

When to use each method

Use playback speed control (right-click menu or settings) when you are watching a video and want to slow it temporarily. This takes no time and does not change the original file. Use this for learning, following along with tutorials, or understanding dialogue in a foreign language.

Use video editing software when you need to create a new file that plays slower by default — for example, if you are uploading a tutorial to YouTube and want viewers to see it at half speed without them having to adjust settings themselves. This takes longer because the software has to re-encode the entire video, but the result is a standalone file you can share or edit further.

Slowing video on phones and tablets

On iPhone, open a video in the YouTube app, tap the three dots, and select "Playback speed." On Android, do the same in YouTube — tap the three dots and choose "Playback speed." Netflix on both platforms does not offer speed control in the app itself, only on desktop.

If you have a video file saved on your phone, the built-in video player on iPhone (Photos app) does not have speed control. Android's default video player (Google Play Movies or the Files app) may have a speed menu depending on your phone model and Android version. VLC is available free on both iPhone and Android and includes speed control for local video files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does slowing a video make it lower quality?

No. Slowing playback through a menu (right-click, settings, or app controls) does not change the video quality — it just plays the same frames more slowly. If you re-encode the video with editing software, quality depends on the export settings you choose, not the speed change itself.

Can I slow only part of a video?

Playback speed menus slow the entire video at once. To slow only sections, you need video editing software like DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro. Import the video, split the timeline at the points where you want speed to change, adjust each segment separately, and export the result.

Why does my video sound weird when I slow it down?

Most modern players (YouTube, VLC, DaVinci Resolve) adjust audio pitch automatically so speech stays intelligible when you slow video. If audio sounds distorted, you may be using an older player or one with pitch correction turned off. Try a different player or check the audio settings in your current one.

What file formats work with video editing software?

DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro handle MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, and most common formats. If you have an unusual format and editing software will not open it, convert the file to MP4 first using a free tool like HandBrake, then import it into your editor.

Is FFmpeg faster than using editing software?

FFmpeg is faster for single files and much faster for processing many files at once, because it runs without a graphical interface. For one or two videos, the time difference is small. For dozens of videos, FFmpeg saves hours. The trade-off is that you need to type commands instead of clicking buttons.