Video converter Video to ASCII animation
Upload a video and turn each scene into ASCII art while keeping its movement. Pick a style, tune tone, color and glow, and save an MP4 with the original sound.
Copy frame copies one scene as text. Save an MP4 or GIF to share the movement. · Space play/pause · , . step one frame
Make ASCII animation from your video
- Drop a video or try the sample. Videos longer than 30 seconds are converted up to the 30-second mark.
- Pick a style, then refine characters, tone, detail, color and glow. The frame on screen updates first and the rest follow.
- Choose an export size and save an MP4 with the original sound. You can also save a GIF, or a single frame as PNG.
Frequently asked questions
Is my video uploaded to a server?
Not for conversion. Reading the video, converting it to ASCII and saving the MP4 or GIF all happen in your browser. If you allow analytics, the screen of this page is recorded and the analytics provider (PostHog) keeps it for 30 days, but the recording leaves out the frames of the video, the result and the file name. You can turn this off on the privacy policy page.
Which videos can I convert?
MP4, MOV and WebM videos up to 500 MB. Videos longer than 30 seconds are converted up to the 30-second mark. Your browser has to be able to decode the video, so H.264 MP4 works best; iPhone HEVC videos may not open in every browser. When the number of characters across all frames is too large, the converter suggests a lower frame rate or fewer columns.
Does the MP4 keep the original sound?
Yes. The sound of the converted part is added to the MP4. With a different playback speed the sound is left out, and if your browser cannot handle the sound format, the MP4 is saved without sound and you are told. GIFs never carry sound.
Should I save an MP4 or a GIF?
An MP4 stays small even when long, keeps every color and the glow, and includes sound. It is the best fit for Instagram, TikTok or YouTube Shorts. A GIF loops silently and holds up to 256 colors, but you can drop it straight into Discord or a GitHub README.
Can I convert a GIF or a photo?
Animated GIFs go in the GIF to ASCII converter, and single photos in the image to ASCII converter. For a spinning donut or cube, try Motion art.
Try another tool
GIF converter
Turn an uploaded GIF into color ASCII animation, pick a style and glow, and save it as a GIF.Open →Image converter
Upload a photo and tune width, brightness, contrast, and the character set. Save it as a colored PNG.Open →Motion art
Choose from fifty-four movements like a spinning donut, dragon, whale or fireworks, adjust its speed and color, and save animated ASCII art.Open →