The simplest way depends on what you're watching and what device you have

Most video players built into Windows, macOS, and phones let you slow down playback without any extra software. If you're watching in a web browser, YouTube, Netflix, and most streaming sites have a speed control button. On your phone, the default video app usually has a speed option in the playback menu. If you're working with a video file you own — something you downloaded or recorded yourself — you can use free software like VLC Media Player, which works on Windows, Mac, and Linux and has a slow-motion feature built in.

The method you choose matters because some approaches only change how fast the video plays (which is what you want if you're trying to follow along with something), while others actually create a new slow-motion video file (which is what you need if you want to share it or edit it further). Knowing which one you need saves you time.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube, Netflix, and most streaming sites have a playback speed control in the player menu — usually a gear icon or three dots — where you can select 0.5x or 0.75x speed.
  • VLC Media Player is free software that plays almost any video file and has a slow-motion option under the Playback menu without requiring you to convert or re-encode the video.
  • Windows 10 and 11 Photos app and macOS QuickTime both let you slow down video playback, though the controls are in different places in each app.
  • If you need to create a new slow-motion video file to share or edit, you will need video editing software like DaVinci Resolve (free) or Adobe Premiere, not just a player.

Slowing down video in your web browser or streaming app

YouTube has a speed control button in the player itself. Click the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the video, then select "Playback speed" and choose a slower option like 0.75x or 0.5x. The same gear icon method works on most other Google services and many educational platforms.

Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video all have speed controls, but the button location varies. On Netflix, click the gear icon while a video is playing. On Disney+ and Prime Video, look for a settings or menu button (often three dots or lines) in the player. The speed options are usually 0.75x, 1x (normal), and 1.25x, though some services now offer 0.5x as well.

If you're watching on your phone, open the video and look for a menu button — usually three vertical dots or horizontal lines. Tap it and look for "Playback speed" or "Speed". The available options depend on the app, but most offer at least 0.75x and 0.5x.

Using VLC Media Player for video files on your computer

VLC Media Player is free software that plays almost any video file format and includes slow-motion controls. Download it from videolan.org for Windows, Mac, or Linux. Once installed, open your video file in VLC by dragging it into the window or using File > Open.

To slow down the video, go to the Playback menu at the top and look for "Speed". You'll see options like "Faster" and "Slower", or you can click "Normal" to see a submenu with specific speeds like 0.5x, 0.75x, and 1x. Click the speed you want and the video will play at that speed immediately. This only changes playback — it doesn't create a new file, so the original stays unchanged.

VLC is useful because it handles video formats that Windows Media Player or QuickTime might not recognize, and the slow-motion feature works on any file type it can play. The downside is that you're only watching it slower; if you need to save a slow-motion version to share, you'll need to use video editing software instead.

Slowing down video in Windows Photos and macOS QuickTime

Windows 10 and 11 include a Photos app that can play video and adjust speed. Open your video file in Photos, then look for a playback controls bar at the bottom. Click the three dots menu icon and select "Playback speed". Choose your speed and the video will play slower. Like VLC, this only affects playback, not the file itself.

On macOS, open your video in QuickTime Player (the default video app). Go to the View menu and select "Show Playback Controls" if they're not visible. Then go to View > Playback Speed and choose a slower option. QuickTime offers fewer speed options than some other players, but it's built in and requires no download.

Creating a new slow-motion video file to share or edit

If you want to save a slow-motion version of a video — to upload to social media, send to someone, or edit further — you need video editing software, not just a player. DaVinci Resolve is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Download it from blackmagicdesign.com, install it, and open your video file in a new project.

In DaVinci Resolve, drag your video onto the timeline at the bottom. Right-click the clip and select "Change Clip Speed". A window will open where you can enter a percentage — 50% makes it half speed (slow motion), 75% makes it three-quarters speed, and so on. Click Apply, then export your project as a new video file using File > Export.

The export process takes time because the software is actually creating a new video file with the slower speed baked in. Depending on your video length and your computer's speed, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. Once it's done, you'll have a new video file that plays in slow motion on any device.

Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro are paid alternatives that do the same thing with more advanced controls, but DaVinci Resolve covers the basics without cost.

Why playback speed and actual slow motion are different

When you use a player's speed control, you're just telling the software to skip frames or stretch them out — the video itself doesn't change. This is fast and uses no extra storage, but it can look choppy or sound strange because the audio slows down too.

When you create a new slow-motion file in editing software, the program actually interpolates between frames, creating new frames that don't exist in the original. This takes longer and creates a larger file, but the result looks smoother and more professional. For casual viewing or following along with instructions, playback speed is fine. For sharing or professional use, creating a new file is better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does slowing down video affect the audio?

Yes, if you use a player's speed control, the audio slows down along with the video. If you create a new slow-motion file in editing software, the audio also slows down unless you specifically separate and adjust it. Some editing software lets you keep audio at normal speed while video plays slower, but that requires manual adjustment.

Can I slow down video on my phone without downloading an app?

Yes. Open the video in your phone's default video player or in YouTube/Netflix/other streaming apps, tap the menu button (usually three dots), and look for playback speed or speed settings. Most phones have this built in. If your phone's default player doesn't have it, you may need to download a third-party player app.

What if my video file won't open in VLC?

VLC plays almost all video formats, but occasionally a very new or proprietary format won't work. Try converting the file first using free software like HandBrake or FFmpeg, or try opening it in DaVinci Resolve instead, which also handles most formats. If neither works, the file may be corrupted or protected.

Does creating a slow-motion video make the file bigger?

Usually yes, because the software creates additional frames to fill the gaps. A video slowed to 50% speed will roughly double in file size. You can reduce this by lowering the video resolution or quality during export, but that affects how it looks.