Introduction

Kdenlive is an acronym for KDE Non-Linear Video Editor.

It is a free software (GPL licensed) primarily aimed at the Linux platform, but it also works on BSD[1] as it relies only on portable components (Qt and MLT framework). Windows versions are also available, with some drawbacks. See Windows Issues for more information. A port on MacOS is also available.

Through the MLT framework Kdenlive integrates many effects for video and audio processing or creation. Furthermore, Kdenlive brings a powerful title editor, a subtitling feature with AI-supported speech to text conversion, nested timelines (new in version 23.04), animation support through Glaxnimate integration (new in version 22.08) and thus can be used as a complete studio for video creation. Check out What’s New for the most recent feature additions.

Video editing features

  • Multitrack editing with a timeline and virtually unlimited number of video and audio tracks, plus the ability to split audio and video from a clip in multiple tracks

  • 3-point editing

  • Non-blocking rendering. You can keep working on a project at the same time a project is being transformed into a video file

  • Dozens of effects and transitions that can be used with ease and even saved as custom effects with their settings for use in other projects

  • Keyframeable effects with linear or smooth curves (more to come in future versions)

  • Simple tools for easy creation of color clips, text clips and image clips

  • Automatic clip creation from pictures directories, with crossfade transitions among the images

  • Configurable keyboard shortcuts, toolbars and interface layouts to accommodate your workflow

  • Audio and video scopes

  • Proxy editing for your 4K+ footage

  • Themable interface supporting dark themes

… and much more!

See the Kdenlive Roadmap for what the future may bring.

Supported formats and codecs

There is no need to import or convert footage prior to editing. Kdenlive knows how to handle any format smoothly and supports the following formats, file types and codecs:

  • Support for low resolution (DV) camera and camcorder files, including:

    • DV editing (Raw and AVI)

    • MPEG4-ASP/MP3 (DivX compatible)

    • VOB (DVD)

    • 4:3 and 16:9 screen sizes, PAL and NTSC systems

  • Support for high (HD) and ultra-high (UHD/4K) resolution camcorder files, including:

    • MPEG-2, MP4, Matroska, WebM, Apple ProRes 422 HDV

    • H264 AAC HDV

    • H265

    • Native HDV editing, 720 and 1080, interlaced or full frames

  • Support for brand new codecs and formats:

    • SNOW lossless codec

    • Ogg vorbis, etc …

    • Since version 22.08: LOTTIE and RAWR animations

  • Ability to mix different video sources in a single project. For example, you can edit a film using two sources: a small mpeg4 camera and an HDV mpeg2 camcorder.

    • Any resolution. Kdenlive will adapt resolution of source files to the resolution of the project.

    • Any frame rate (from 15fps to 60 fps or higher). Kdenlive can duplicate/remove frames when needed.

  • A wide range of image import formats:

    • PNG, GIF, JPEG (jp2, jpe, jpeg, jpg, jpg2), TGA, TIFF, SVG, WEBP

    • Since version 22.08: AVIF, HEIF, HEIC, JPEG XL

  • Export to most formats

    • Export to any format supported by ffmpeg, including DVD (PAL and NTSC), MPEG-2 and MP4 (PAL, NTSC and HD, UHD/4K), Matroska-H264/H265, AAC, AC3, MP3, Apple ProRes 422

    • Export to animated GIF or as image sequence in other formats, including BMP, DPX, JPEG, PNG, PPM, TGA, TIFF, WEBP

    • Lossless/HQ like FFV1, H.264, HuffYUV and Ut Video

    • Video with Alpha (Alpha MOV, Alpha VP8, Alpha VP9, Ut Video)

Notes