add watermark to video ffmpeg
Add a watermark to video with FFmpeg
If you need to add a watermark to video with FFmpeg, the common goal is to overlay branded text onto the output without rebuilding the whole workflow from scratch. This page shows the practical FFmpeg command, the matching FFmpeg API request, and an online tool you can test in the browser.
FFmpeg CLI
How to add a watermark to video in FFmpeg
A common FFmpeg watermark workflow uses `drawtext` to overlay text at a chosen position, then re-encodes the video into a new MP4 output.
FFmpeg watermark command
Click any part of the command to see what it does.
FFmpeg watermark command
ffmpeg
This runs the FFmpeg binary. The rest of the command defines the source file, overlay filter, codecs, and output path.
API
Use the same watermark workflow through the FFmpeg API
If you need watermarking inside your product, app, or backend workflow, the FFmpeg API gives you a faster path than maintaining your own text-overlay infrastructure. You can send one args-based request and reuse the same watermark workflow in production.
Request
curl -X POST https://ffmpeg-api.cloud/v1/jobs \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"ffmpegArgs": [
"-y",
"-i",
"{{input}}",
"-vf",
"drawtext=fontfile=/usr/share/fonts/truetype/dejavu/DejaVuSans.ttf:text='FFmpeg API Cloud':x=(w-text_w)-32:y=(h-text_h)-32:fontsize=26:fontcolor=white@0.85:box=1:boxcolor=black@0.35:boxborderw=12",
"-c:v",
"libx264",
"-c:a",
"copy",
"{{output}}"
],
"inputs": {
"input": {
"type": "url",
"url": "https://example.com/input.mp4"
}
},
"outputs": {
"output": {
"fileName": "watermarked-output.mp4"
}
}
}'Response
{
"jobId": "job_01hxyz...",
"status": "queued",
"runtimeSeconds": 0,
"creditsCharged": 0,
"createdAt": "2026-04-14T10:30:00.000Z"
}Online tool
Try this FFmpeg API watermark tool online
Upload a source video, adjust the watermark text and placement, and run the job directly in the browser. It is the quickest way to validate branded output before wiring the same request into your own app or backend.
Live playground
Add a watermark to video with FFmpeg
Overlay a text watermark onto a source video with an args-based FFmpeg API request.
Use cases
Common ways to use FFmpeg video watermarking
Watermarking is useful when you want branded exports, preview labels, or lightweight content protection in delivery workflows.
Create branded preview exports
Overlay text watermarks onto preview videos for client review, internal approvals, or public teaser assets.
Label generated or staged content
Mark outputs as preview, sample, or internal-only before they reach broader audiences or product surfaces.
Add simple ownership cues to shared clips
Use visible text overlays when you want lightweight branding or deterrence on distributable media assets.
FAQ
FFmpeg watermark video FAQ
Common questions about adding watermarks with FFmpeg, using drawtext, and moving the same workflow into the FFmpeg API.
Related templates
Other FFmpeg templates
Explore other FFmpeg templates for rotation, resize, compression, and more.