Runway makes video expansion easy. It allows you to transform videos into new aspect ratios by generating new areas around your input video. Users love this feature because instead of stretching or cropping, the tool adds new realistic details. Plus, you can expand horizontally or vertically, keeping everything looking natural.
However, many have no idea how to expand video using Runway. If you also want to know step-by-step instructions, then keep reading. Here, we are explaining everything in detail, along with best practices to expand video with this platform. Let's get started!
How to Expand Video Using Runway?
Using Runway to expand a video allows you to resize it without losing any quality. It can make a short or cropped video to fit different screen sizes, like:
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Instagram.
Runway's AI fills in the missing parts of your video automatically. Follow these steps to expand a video properly.
Step 1: Open the Expand Video Tool
Go to Runway's website and log in. If you don't have an account, sign up. Click "Start a Session" to enter the video editing workspace. Next, choose the Gen-3 Alpha Turbo as your model. This AI model creates smooth and detailed video expansions.
Step 2: Upload Video
Look at the left sidebar and click on "Expand Video." After this, upload your video from your computer and make sure it’s at least 620x620 pixels. This ensures the expanded video stays clear and doesn’t turn blurry.
Then, choose the final video size you want:
- 1280x768 (wider video, good for YouTube and websites)
- 768x1280 (taller video, good for TikTok, Instagram Reels, or Shorts)
Runway automatically adjusts the expansion direction based on your video:
- If you upload a horizontal video, it expands vertically to fill more screen space.
- If you upload a vertical video, it expands horizontally to make it fit wider screens.
This setting helps make sure the expanded video looks right for where you want to post it.
Step 3: Choose an Expansion Method
Runway gives you three ways to expand a video. Each method changes how the AI fills in the extra space.
- Auto-Generate Without a Text Prompt: Click the Generate button without adding any instructions. Runway's AI looks at the existing frames and adds new content that matches what is already in the video. This is the fastest option and works well when you just need a simple expansion.
- Use a Text Prompt for More Control: If you want specific details in the expansion, type a text prompt to guide Runway. For example, if your video shows a city street, you can type "Extend the road, add more buildings, and keep the streetlights on."
- Add a Guiding Image: For the most control, you can upload a guiding image. Take a screenshot of your first video frame, edit it to show how you want the extra space to look, and upload it into Runway. The AI then follows this image as a guide.
Step 4: Preview and Download
Runway will process your video and expand it, but don’t just hit download right away—preview it first. Make sure everything looks smooth and natural. If something seems off, adjust the settings and give it another try until it looks just right.
Once you're happy with it, go ahead and download the video.
Why Should You Expand Videos?
Sometimes, videos don't fit the way we want them to. Maybe they're too short, or they don't fill the screen properly. Expanding a video lets you add more to it without losing quality. Let's find out why you should focus on expanding videos:
Make Videos Fit Different Screens
Not all videos are made for every screen size. A video that looks great on a phone might not fill a big TV screen properly. Expanding the video helps it fit different screens without awkward black bars or weird cropping. It makes sure the video looks right no matter where it's played.
Also, when you post videos on social media, each platform has its own size rules. Instagram prefers square videos, YouTube uses widescreen, and TikTok loves vertical ones. Expanding a video lets you adjust it so it looks perfect everywhere. This means more people can enjoy your video the way it was meant to be seen.
Improve Storytelling and Flow
Sometimes, a video feels too rushed. Maybe an important moment goes by too fast, or the video ends too suddenly. Expanding the video allows you to:
- Slow things down
- Add extra details
- Expand a scene naturally.
These make the storytelling smoother and more enjoyable to watch.
Create More Professional and High-Quality Content
If a video looks too cropped or stretched, it can seem unprofessional. Expanding a video the right way keeps the quality high, so it doesn't look blurry or weird. It helps make the video feel like it was made with care and attention to detail.
Best Practices for Expanding Videos in Runway
Expanding a video in Runway makes it bigger without lowering quality. But if you don't set it up correctly, the expansion might not look natural. Let's have a look at the important tips to get the best results:
Ensure the Subject Is in the Center of the Frame
Before you expand your video, take a moment to check if the main subject is positioned well. If it’s too close to the edge, Runway might have a hard time filling in the background naturally, which could make some parts look off or distorted.
If the video was shot with the subject off to one side, try cropping or repositioning it before expansion. This way, Runway fills in the missing areas naturally instead of making strange or unrealistic adjustments. Keeping the focus centered helps Runway maintain a balanced and smooth look of your outputs.
For videos where centering is not possible, consider using a text prompt to guide the AI.
Avoid Graphics or Text Overlays in the Video
When expanding a video with Runway, text elements like logos, subtitles, and overlays can be affected. Runway might stretch or distort the text, making it hard to read. It can also alter surrounding graphics, sometimes causing unexpected glitches. If your video includes important on-screen text, be sure to check for any distortions after expansion.
To avoid this, remove any text or logos before expanding the video. If removing them isn't possible, make sure they are small or not too close to the edges.
If your final video needs text overlays, add them after expansion, not before. This ensures the expanded parts look clean and natural, and your text stays sharp and readable.
Use a Text Prompt for More Controlled and Refined Expansion
Runway can expand a video on its own, but sometimes, it doesn't add the right details. Using a text prompt helps you guide the AI and get better results. Instead of letting it guess what to add, you can describe exactly what should appear in the expanded part.
For example, if your video shows a mountain landscape, you can type: "Expand the mountain range, extend the clouds, and add more trees in the foreground."
This tells Runway to keep the new parts in line with the original video's style. Without a prompt, the AI might generate random patterns that don't match, making the video look unrealistic.
Run Multiple Expansions
Expanding a video once can improve a shot, but repeating the process creates a more cinematic and professional effect. Here’s why:
- Landscapes feel more epic.
- Backgrounds get richer (with added depth).
- Zoom-ins look natural and professional.
While this method takes more time, the results are worth it.
Conclusion
Expanding videos with Runway is simple. Just follow the steps discussed above, and you will be able to expand videos while keeping them clear and sharp. Remember to avoid stretching or cropping—let Runway generate smooth expansions.
Now that you know how to expand videos using Runway, try it out and see the difference for yourself. Your videos will look more professional and stand out online!