# FFmpeg Cheat Sheet: 25 Commands You'll Actually Use (2026)

> Copy 25 practical FFmpeg commands to convert, compress, trim, resize, edit audio, create GIFs, add subtitles, and format social video.

- URL: https://imageat.com/blog/ffmpeg-cheat-sheet-commands
- Author: Yunus Emre Özdiyar (imageat)
- Published: 2026-10-31
- Category: Guides
- Tags: ffmpeg commands, ffmpeg cheat sheet, ffmpeg examples, video editing, imageat

This FFmpeg cheat sheet gives you 25 copy-pasteable commands for everyday video and audio work. Use these FFmpeg examples to convert, compress, cut, resize, caption, and reformat media without digging through a long manual.

Every command below can run free after sign-up in [imageat's online FFmpeg tool](https://imageat.com/ffmpeg-online). Upload the named input file, paste the command, adjust values when needed, and download the result; no local installation is required.

## Before you run these FFmpeg commands

Replace example names such as `in0.mp4` with your filename when running locally. Output names identify what each command creates.

Time values use `HH:MM:SS` or seconds. Dimensions use `width:height`; a value of `-2` asks FFmpeg to calculate an even dimension while preserving aspect ratio. Quoted filter expressions should remain quoted, especially in shells that treat commas, semicolons, or parentheses specially.

These commands favor compatible H.264 video, AAC audio, and practical defaults. Test a short section first, and retain the original until you check the output.

## Convert video and audio formats

### 1. Convert MOV to MP4

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mov -c:v libx264 -c:a aac -movflags +faststart out.mp4`

Converts a MOV file to a web-friendly MP4 and moves playback metadata to the front for faster streaming startup.

### 2. Convert MKV to MP4 without re-encoding

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mkv -c copy -movflags +faststart out.mp4`

Changes the container quickly while copying compatible video and audio streams without quality loss.

### 3. Convert MP4 to WebM

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -c:v libvpx-vp9 -crf 32 -b:v 0 -c:a libopus out.webm`

Creates a VP9 WebM with Opus audio, using constant-quality encoding instead of a fixed video bitrate.

### 4. Convert WAV to MP3

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.wav -c:a libmp3lame -q:a 2 out.mp3`

Turns uncompressed WAV audio into a high-quality variable-bitrate MP3 suitable for everyday playback.

## Compress video

With x264, a higher CRF makes a smaller, lower-quality file, while a slower preset can improve compression efficiency. Avoid repeated lossy encoding.

### 5. Compress an MP4 with H.264

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -c:v libx264 -crf 23 -preset medium -c:a aac -b:a 128k -movflags +faststart out-small.mp4`

Re-encodes video at a practical CRF and limits audio to 128 kb/s for a smaller general-purpose MP4.

### 6. Compress to a target video bitrate

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -c:v libx264 -b:v 1500k -maxrate 1500k -bufsize 3000k -c:a aac -b:a 128k out-small.mp4`

Constrains video around 1.5 Mb/s when delivery requirements matter more than constant visual quality.

## Trim and cut clips

Stream copying is fast but may cut at a nearby keyframe; re-encoding gives more precise boundaries.

### 7. Cut a clip quickly without re-encoding

`bash
ffmpeg -ss 00:00:10 -i in0.mp4 -t 00:00:20 -c copy out.mp4`

Copies a 20-second section starting at ten seconds, making this ideal when keyframe-level precision is acceptable.

### 8. Trim a clip with accurate re-encoding

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -ss 00:00:10 -t 00:00:20 -c:v libx264 -c:a aac out.mp4`

Re-encodes a precise 20-second segment that begins ten seconds into the source.

## Resize and crop video

Scaling changes output dimensions, while cropping removes pixels. Preserve the aspect ratio unless you intentionally need a fixed frame.

### 9. Resize to 720p width

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -vf "scale=1280:-2" -c:v libx264 -crf 23 -c:a copy out.mp4`

Sets the width to 1280 pixels and calculates an even height while copying the original audio.

### 10. Fit inside a 1080p frame with padding

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -vf "scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2" -c:v libx264 -c:a aac out.mp4`

Fits the entire picture within 1920×1080 and adds centered padding instead of stretching or cropping.

### 11. Center-crop to square

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -vf "crop='min(iw,ih)':'min(iw,ih)'" -c:v libx264 -c:a aac out.mp4`

Removes equal outer areas from the longer dimension to produce a centered 1:1 frame.

## Create GIFs

A palette improves GIF color, while a modest frame rate controls file growth.

### 12. Create an optimized GIF

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -filter_complex "fps=12,scale=640:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen[p];[s1][p]paletteuse" -loop 0 out.gif`

Builds and applies a color palette, scales to 640 pixels wide, and loops the resulting GIF continuously.

### 13. Create a GIF from a selected segment

`bash
ffmpeg -ss 00:00:05 -t 00:00:04 -i in0.mp4 -filter_complex "fps=10,scale=480:-1:flags=lanczos,split[a][b];[a]palettegen[p];[b][p]paletteuse" -loop 0 out.gif`

Turns four seconds beginning at the five-second mark into a compact, continuously looping 480-pixel-wide GIF.

## Edit audio

Audio filters require re-encoding. AAC works well in MP4, while MP3 is useful for standalone audio distribution.

### 14. Extract audio as MP3

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -vn -c:a libmp3lame -q:a 2 out.mp3`

Discards the video stream and saves the soundtrack as a high-quality variable-bitrate MP3.

### 15. Extract the original audio stream

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -vn -c:a copy out.m4a`

Copies compatible AAC audio into an M4A container without changing its encoded quality.

### 16. Normalize loudness

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -af "loudnorm=I=-16:LRA=11:TP=-1.5" -c:v copy -c:a aac -b:a 192k out.mp4`

Targets -16 LUFS integrated loudness, an 11 LU loudness range, and a -1.5 dB true-peak ceiling.

### 17. Increase volume by 3 dB

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -af "volume=3dB" -c:v copy -c:a aac out.mp4`

Raises audio gain by 3 dB while copying the video stream unchanged; check for clipping afterward.

## Burn subtitles into video

Burned-in captions cannot be switched off. Ensure timestamps match and the SRT uses UTF-8 text.

### 18. Burn an SRT subtitle file into MP4

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -vf "subtitles=in1.srt" -c:v libx264 -crf 20 -c:a copy out.mp4`

Renders SRT captions into every video frame while copying the existing audio stream.

## Change playback speed

Video speed uses presentation timestamps. Audio speed uses `atempo`, whose selected factor here stays within the filter's supported range.

### 19. Make video and audio 2× faster

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -filter_complex "[0:v]setpts=0.5*PTS[v];[0:a]atempo=2.0[a]" -map "[v]" -map "[a]" -c:v libx264 -c:a aac out.mp4`

Halves video timestamps and doubles audio tempo to create synchronized double-speed playback.

### 20. Make video and audio half-speed

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -filter_complex "[0:v]setpts=2.0*PTS[v];[0:a]atempo=0.5[a]" -map "[v]" -map "[a]" -c:v libx264 -c:a aac out.mp4`

Doubles video timestamps and halves audio tempo for synchronized slow playback without lowering pitch.

## Rotate and flip video

These filters transform pixels rather than relying on inconsistently supported rotation metadata.

### 21. Rotate 90 degrees clockwise

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -vf "transpose=1" -c:v libx264 -c:a copy out.mp4`

Rotates each frame 90 degrees clockwise and copies the source audio without re-encoding it.

### 22. Flip video horizontally

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -vf "hflip" -c:v libx264 -c:a copy out.mp4`

Mirrors the picture from left to right while leaving the audio stream unchanged.

## Generate thumbnails

The `-frames:v 1` option stops after FFmpeg writes the selected image.

### 23. Capture a thumbnail at a specific time

`bash
ffmpeg -ss 00:00:05 -i in0.mp4 -frames:v 1 -q:v 2 out.jpg`

Seeks to five seconds and exports one high-quality JPEG frame as a thumbnail.

### 24. Create a 4×4 thumbnail contact sheet

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -vf "fps=1/10,scale=320:-2,tile=4x4" -frames:v 1 out.jpg`

Samples one frame every ten seconds and arranges the first 16 samples in a single 4×4 image.

## Make a vertical social video

A blurred background preserves the full horizontal picture in a 9:16 canvas without empty bars. The foreground remains sharp and centered.

### 25. Create 9:16 video with a blurred background

`bash
ffmpeg -i in0.mp4 -filter_complex "[0:v]scale=1080:1920:force_original_aspect_ratio=increase,crop=1080:1920,boxblur=20:10[bg];[0:v]scale=1080:1920:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease[fg];[bg][fg]overlay=(W-w)/2:(H-h)/2[v]" -map "[v]" -map 0:a? -c:v libx264 -crf 23 -c:a aac -shortest out.mp4`

Fills a 1080×1920 canvas with blurred source video and overlays a sharp, aspect-correct foreground.

## A practical FFmpeg workflow

Use `-c copy` for compatible container changes and rough cuts; filters, resizing, burned captions, and codec changes require encoding. Then check synchronization, captions, orientation, dimensions, and playback in the target app. For compression, reduce CRF or raise bitrate when quality is too low; reverse that adjustment when the file is too large. You can test the command in the [imageat FFmpeg runner](https://imageat.com/ffmpeg-online) free after sign-up.

## FAQ

### What is the most useful FFmpeg command structure?

Most jobs use an input, output options, and an output filename. Keep codec or filter options before the output.

### Does FFmpeg reduce quality?

Stream copying preserves encoded quality. Lossy encoding can remove information, so choose an appropriate CRF, bitrate, and resolution and avoid repeated conversions.

### What is the difference between `-t` and an end timestamp?

The `-t` option sets output duration. For example, starting at ten seconds with a duration of 20 seconds ends around 30 seconds. This cheat sheet uses duration because it makes the intended clip length explicit.

### Why does `-c copy` sometimes fail?

The target container may not support the source codec, subtitle type, profile, or other stream details. Filters also cannot run while copying the affected stream. Re-encode into a compatible codec when direct remuxing is unavailable.

### How do I choose CRF for H.264?

Start near 23, inspect the output, then adjust. Lower values retain more quality and usually produce larger files; higher values reduce size and usually reduce quality. Content and viewing conditions matter, so there is no single ideal setting.

### Can I run these commands without installing FFmpeg?

Yes. Every command in this FFmpeg cheat sheet can run free after sign-up at imageat's online FFmpeg page. Upload the required input media and any companion file, such as an SRT, then paste the matching command.

Ready to process a file? [Run an FFmpeg command free after sign-up with imageat](https://imageat.com/ffmpeg-online).

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Source: [FFmpeg Cheat Sheet: 25 Commands You'll Actually Use (2026)](https://imageat.com/blog/ffmpeg-cheat-sheet-commands) on the imageat blog. More guides: https://imageat.com/blog · Full site index: https://imageat.com/llms-full.txt