FFmpeg as a Service
FFmpeg API for video processing in your product
Build video processing, media conversion, thumbnails, compression, and audio extraction with a hosted FFmpeg API.
The FFmpeg API is built for real production workloads with usage-based pricing.
API examples
curl -X POST https://ffmpeg-api.cloud/v1/jobs \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"mode": "raw",
"inputs": {
"video": {
"type": "url",
"url": "https://example.com/video.mp4"
}
},
"outputs": {
"output": {
"fileName": "output.mp4"
}
},
"ffmpegArgs": [
"-y",
"-i",
"{{video}}",
"-vf",
"scale=1280:-1",
"-c:v",
"libx264",
"-preset",
"medium",
"-crf",
"23",
"{{output}}"
]
}'{
"jobId": "job_01hxyz...",
"status": "queued",
"runtimeSeconds": 0,
"creditsCharged": 0,
"createdAt": "2026-04-13T10:30:00.000Z"
}Why FFmpeg API Cloud
Why developers choose this FFmpeg API for product-ready media processing
This FFmpeg API gives you one hosted way to run video processing, media conversion, FFprobe inspection, and output delivery inside your product.
No FFmpeg infrastructure to manage
Skip environment setup, storage plumbing, worker orchestration, and execution ops.
One API for media workflows
Upload files, create jobs, fetch outputs, and attach webhooks with one consistent model.
Pricing that scales with usage
Start small, buy credits when needed, and expand as your volume grows.
What's included
What's included in the FFmpeg API
The FFmpeg API includes the core pieces you need to ship hosted video processing, media conversion, metadata inspection, and result delivery without assembling the platform yourself.
Hosted uploads
Upload media files or pass public URLs into the FFmpeg API job flow.
Async FFmpeg jobs
Run long media processing work as jobs instead of managing your own queue workers.
Raw FFmpeg args
Send structured ffmpegArgs arrays when you need direct FFmpeg control.
FFprobe metadata
Inspect codecs, streams, duration, dimensions, and other media metadata.
Downloadable outputs
Fetch generated media outputs and result metadata from the same FFmpeg API.
Webhook callbacks
Attach webhook delivery to FFmpeg API jobs and react to terminal states.
Usage-based billing
Pay for actual runtime usage instead of running and operating FFmpeg infrastructure.
Reusable templates
Start with structured templates, then export the matching ffmpegArgs request.
How it works
How the FFmpeg API works from upload to output
Upload media, create an FFmpeg API job, then poll or fetch the output with the same request model you use in production.
Start buildingUpload a file or reference a public URL
Create a job with ffmpegArgs
Poll for completion or use a webhook, then fetch outputs
Online testing
Try the FFmpeg API in the browser
Use the playground to test FFmpeg API request payloads, run FFmpeg jobs, and inspect outputs before integrating the FFmpeg API into your app.
Templates
Popular FFmpeg API templates
Each FFmpeg API template page includes a focused UI and a matching API example for the same request shape.
Trim video with FFmpeg
Cut clips by start and end time without leaving the browser.
Merge videos with FFmpeg
Combine multiple clips into one output file.
Resize video with FFmpeg
Scale content for embeds, social formats, and product pipelines.
Compress video with FFmpeg
Reduce file size for delivery and uploads.
Convert MP4 to GIF
Create short, shareable GIF clips for docs and marketing.
Extract audio from video
Strip audio tracks for podcasts, ASR, and post-processing.
FFmpeg API vs self-hosting
Why use an FFmpeg API instead of self-hosting FFmpeg
Self-hosting FFmpeg means owning uploads, queues, output storage, retries, webhook delivery, and billing logic. A hosted FFmpeg API removes that operational surface area and lets you focus on product features.
Ship faster
Launch video features without building the FFmpeg backend first
Use one hosted FFmpeg API for uploads, jobs, outputs, and callbacks instead of assembling those layers yourself before the product feature can ship.
Stay focused
Keep engineering time on product logic, not media infrastructure
Your team works on the editing, publishing, or automation experience while the FFmpeg API handles job execution, output delivery, and lifecycle plumbing.
Scale simply
Start with one workflow and expand without re-architecting
Begin with a single compression, thumbnail, or conversion flow, then add more FFmpeg jobs on the same API model as product usage grows.
Use cases
What you can build with an FFmpeg API
An FFmpeg API fits product workflows that need hosted video processing, media normalization, derivative assets, and metadata inspection.
Social and UGC apps
Generate previews, clips, thumbnails, and optimized uploads.
Creator apps
Export variants, GIFs, audio tracks, and branded deliverables.
Video pipelines
Normalize uploads, transcode outputs, and inspect media metadata.
Internal automation
Trigger event-driven media processing inside product workflows.
Pricing
FFmpeg API pricing for hosted media processing
Start using the FFmpeg API without a large fixed commitment, then scale credits when your FFmpeg API usage grows.
FAQ
FFmpeg API FAQ
Common questions about using the FFmpeg API, running raw FFmpeg args, and fetching outputs from completed jobs.
Need more detail? Read the FFmpeg API quickstart.