CRITICAL GUIDELINES

Windows File Path Requirements

MANDATORY: Always Use Backslashes on Windows for File Paths

When using Edit or Write tools on Windows, you MUST use backslashes (

\

/

Quick Reference

-vf "drawtext=textfile=credits.txt:y=h-80*t"

-vf "drawtext=text='Hello':enable='gte(t,n*0.1)'"

-vf "drawtext=text='Title':alpha='min(1,t/2)'"

-vf "drawtext=text='Bounce':y='h/2+50*sin(t*5)'"

\k

-vf "drawtext=text='Move':x='w-mod(t*100,w+tw)'"

When to Use This Skill

Use for animated text and karaoke:

• Music video lyrics with karaoke highlighting
• Movie-style scrolling credits
• Animated titles and lower thirds
• Typewriter text reveal
• Kinetic typography
• Countdown timers

FFmpeg Karaoke & Animated Text (2025)

Complete guide to karaoke subtitles, kinetic typography, scrolling credits, and advanced text animation with FFmpeg.

Karaoke Subtitles (ASS/SSA Format)

ASS Karaoke Basics

ASS (Advanced SubStation Alpha) supports karaoke timing with

\k

[Script Info]
Title: Karaoke Example
ScriptType: v4.00+
PlayResX: 1920
PlayResY: 1080

[V4+ Styles]
Format: Name, Fontname, Fontsize, PrimaryColour, SecondaryColour, OutlineColour, BackColour, Bold, Italic, Underline, StrikeOut, ScaleX, ScaleY, Spacing, Angle, BorderStyle, Outline, Shadow, Alignment, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Encoding
Style: Karaoke,Arial,72,&H00FFFFFF,&H000000FF,&H00000000,&H80000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,1,3,2,2,10,10,50,1

[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.00,0:00:05.00,Karaoke,,0,0,0,,{\k50}Twinkle {\k50}twinkle {\k50}little {\k50}star
Dialogue: 0,0:00:05.00,0:00:09.00,Karaoke,,0,0,0,,{\k50}How {\k50}I {\k50}wonder {\k50}what {\k50}you {\k50}are

Karaoke Timing Tags

\k

{\k100}Word

\kf

\K

{\kf100}Word

\ko

{\ko100}Word

Duration is in centiseconds (100 = 1 second).

CRITICAL: ASS Time Unit Reference

ASS uses TWO DIFFERENT time unit systems - this is a common source of bugs!

Karaoke Tags = CENTISECONDS (1/100 second)

\k

{\k50}

\kf

{\kf100}

\ko

{\ko25}

Conversion: seconds × 100 = centiseconds

Animation Tags = MILLISECONDS (1/1000 second)

\t(t1,t2,...)

\t(0,500,...)

\fad(in,out)

\fad(200,300)

\move(x1,y1,x2,y2,t1,t2)

\move(0,0,100,100,0,1000)

Conversion: seconds × 1000 = milliseconds

FFmpeg drawtext = SECONDS (with decimals)

t

t=2.5

enable='between(t,0,3)'

alpha='min(1,t/2)'

Quick Conversion Table

Common Mistake Example

; WRONG - mixing units!
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:02.00,Style,,0,0,0,,{\k100\t(0,100,...)}Word
; {\k100} = 1 second (centiseconds)
; \t(0,100,...) = 0-100ms = 0.1 seconds (milliseconds) - NOT THE SAME!

; CORRECT - consistent timing
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:02.00,Style,,0,0,0,,{\k100\t(0,1000,...)}Word
; {\k100} = 1 second
; \t(0,1000,...) = 1 second - NOW THEY MATCH!

Advanced Karaoke Timing Parameters (2026 Research)

Optimal Karaoke Timing by Song Tempo

\kf60-80

\kf40-60

\kf30-50

\kf25-40

\kf20-30

Karaoke Tag Selection Guide

Based on syllable/word duration and desired effect:

\k

(Instant Fill) - Best For:

• Very short syllables: <120 centiseconds (1.2s)
• Rap/hip-hop: Fast lyric delivery
• Staccato rhythm: Percussive, sharp delivery

; Rap example (fast succession):
{\k25}Yo {\k20}this {\k15}is {\k30}rapid {\k25}fire {\k35}flow

\kf

(Progressive Fill) - Best For:

• Long syllables: >120 centiseconds (1.2s)
• Ballads: Drawn-out emotional delivery
• Smooth transitions: Clean visual sweep

; Ballad example (sustained notes):
{\kf150}Loooooove {\kf120}yoooou {\kf180}foreeeever

Recommended: Use

\kf

\ko

(Outline Reveal) - Best For:

• High contrast: Text that needs to "pop"
• Neon/glow styles: Outline-heavy fonts
• Special emphasis: Chorus, key phrases

; Neon karaoke style:
[V4+ Styles]
Style: NeonKaraoke,Arial,80,&H00000000,&H0000FF00,&H0000FF00,&H00000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,3,6,0,2,10,10,50,1

[Events]
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.00,0:00:05.00,NeonKaraoke,,0,0,0,,{\ko50}Electric {\ko60}neon {\ko40}glow

Multi-Color Karaoke Transitions

Create dynamic color changes during karaoke fill:

; Gradient karaoke: Yellow → Orange → Red
[V4+ Styles]
Style: GradientKaraoke,Impact,80,&H0000FFFF,&H000000FF,&H00000000,&H00000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,1,5,0,2,10,10,50,1
;                                   Primary^      Secondary^
;                                   Yellow(start) Red(filled)

; Add intermediate color transition with \t tags:
[Events]
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.00,0:00:05.00,GradientKaraoke,,0,0,0,,{\kf80\t(0,400,\2c&H0000A5FF&)}Word1 {\kf100\t(0,500,\2c&H0000A5FF&)}Word2
;                                                                   ↑ Orange midpoint

Color progression formula:

Start: &H0000FFFF (Yellow)
Mid:   &H0000A5FF (Orange) - 50% through karaoke fill
End:   &H000000FF (Red)

Per-Character Karaoke (Fine-Grained Control)

For very precise timing (character-by-character):

; Each character gets individual timing (manual, tedious)
{\k10}H{\k8}e{\k12}l{\k10}l{\k15}o {\k20}w{\k18}o{\k15}r{\k12}l{\k10}d

; Best practice: Use tools like Aegisub Karaoke Timer
; Manual character timing only for special effects

When to use character-level karaoke:

• Slow-motion word reveal
• Dramatic emphasis
• Non-linear character highlighting (e.g., every other letter)

Advanced Text Animation Formulas (FFmpeg Drawtext)

Spring Physics Implementation

Create natural bounce effects with exponential decay:

# Vertical spring bounce (decaying oscillation)
# Formula: y_offset = amplitude * e^(-decay*t) * sin(frequency*t)
-vf "drawtext=text='BOUNCE':fontsize=80:fontcolor=white:\
     x=(w-tw)/2:\
     y='(h-th)/2-30*exp(-t*2.5)*sin(t*15)'"

# Breakdown:
# -30*exp(-t*2.5) = amplitude decays from 30px to 0
# sin(t*15) = oscillates at 15 rad/s (≈2.4 Hz)
# Combines: bounces 2-3 times over ~1 second, settling at center

Parameter tuning:

• Decay rate (2.5): Higher = faster settling (3-4 for quick, 1-2 for slow)
• Frequency (15): Higher = more bounces (10-12 slow, 15-20 fast)
• Amplitude (30): Bounce height in pixels

Elastic Overshoot Effect

Simulate elastic material with multiple overshoots:

# Elastic scale effect (rubber band)
# Overshoots target size multiple times before settling
-vf "drawtext=text='ELASTIC':fontsize='72*(1+0.4*exp(-t*3)*sin(t*20))':\
     fontcolor=yellow:x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2"

# Scale oscillates: 72px → 101px → 65px → 80px → 70px → 72px (settled)
# Mathematical basis: e^(-3t) * sin(20t) creates damped oscillation

Elastic parameters:

• Base fontsize: 72 (target)
• Overshoot: 0.4 (40% maximum deviation) → 72 * 1.4 = 101px peak
• Decay: 3 (settles in ~1.5 seconds)
• Frequency: 20 (multiple small bounces)

Bezier Curve Approximation (Ease-In-Out)

FFmpeg doesn't support bezier directly, but we can approximate with piecewise functions:

# Ease-out approximation (fast start, slow end)
# Cubic bezier (0, 0, 0.2, 1) approximation
-vf "drawtext=text='EASE OUT':\
     alpha='if(lt(t,0.5),1-exp(-t*6),1)':\
     fontsize=80:fontcolor=white:x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2:\
     enable='lt(t,1)'"

# Ease-in approximation (slow start, fast end)
# Cubic bezier (0.8, 0, 1, 1) approximation
-vf "drawtext=text='EASE IN':\
     alpha='if(lt(t,0.5),exp(-(1-t)*6),0)':\
     fontsize=80:fontcolor=white:x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2:\
     enable='between(t,1,2)'"

# Ease-in-out (S-curve) using sigmoid approximation
-vf "drawtext=text='SMOOTH':\
     alpha='1/(1+exp(-10*(t-0.5)))':\
     fontsize=80:fontcolor=white:x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2:\
     enable='lt(t,1)'"

Mathematical reasoning:

• Exponential ease:

  1 - e^(-kt)

  creates natural deceleration
• Sigmoid curve:

  1/(1+e^(-k(t-0.5)))

  creates smooth S-curve (ease-in-out)
• k parameter: Controls transition sharpness (6-10 for subtle, 15-20 for pronounced)

Wobble/Wiggle Effects

Create organic, unpredictable motion:

# Dual-frequency wobble (complex motion)
# Combines two sine waves at different frequencies for organic feel
-vf "drawtext=text='WOBBLE':fontsize=80:fontcolor=white:\
     x='(w-tw)/2+8*sin(t*7)+4*sin(t*17)':\
     y='(h-th)/2+6*cos(t*7)+3*cos(t*13)'"

# Breakdown:
# Primary wobble: 8*sin(t*7) = 8px amplitude, 7 rad/s (1.1 Hz)
# Secondary wobble: 4*sin(t*17) = 4px amplitude, 17 rad/s (2.7 Hz)
# Result: Complex, organic motion pattern

# Drunk/unstable effect (low frequency, large amplitude)
-vf "drawtext=text='UNSTABLE':fontsize=80:fontcolor=white:\
     x='(w-tw)/2+20*sin(t*2.5)+10*sin(t*6.3)':\
     y='(h-th)/2+15*cos(t*3.1)+8*cos(t*7.2)'"

Wobble design principles:

• Use two frequencies (primary + secondary) for natural randomness
• Prime number ratios (e.g., 7 and 17) prevent pattern repetition
• Amplitude ratio 2:1 (primary twice the secondary) for balanced motion

Pulse with Variable Intensity

Create heartbeat or alarm-style pulsing:

# Heartbeat pulse (two quick beats, pause)
# Pattern: THUMP-thump ... pause ... THUMP-thump
-vf "drawtext=text='♥ HEARTBEAT ♥':\
     fontsize='80+25*max(0,sin(t*15)*exp(-mod(t,1.2)*10))':\
     fontcolor=red:x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2"

# Breakdown:
# sin(t*15) = rapid oscillation
# exp(-mod(t,1.2)*10) = decay envelope every 1.2 seconds
# max(0, ...) = only positive pulses
# Result: Pulse decays quickly, resets every 1.2s

# Alarm pulse (constant urgent rhythm)
-vf "drawtext=text='⚠ ALERT ⚠':\
     fontsize='80+20*abs(sin(t*8))':\
     fontcolor=yellow:x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2"

# abs(sin(t*8)) creates continuous pulsing at 8 rad/s (1.3 Hz)

Text Reveal Animations (Wipe Effects)

Horizontal Wipe (Left to Right)

# Clip text progressively from left
# Uses drawbox mask to reveal text over time
-filter_complex "\
  [0:v]drawtext=text='REVEALED':fontsize=100:fontcolor=white:\
       x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2[txt];\
  [txt]drawbox=x=0:y=0:w='min(w,t*500)':h=h:c=black@0:t=fill:replace=1[v]" \
  -map "[v]"

# Breakdown:
# w='min(w,t*500)' = width grows at 500 pixels/second
# Creates left-to-right reveal effect

Vertical Wipe (Bottom to Top)

# Text rises from bottom
-vf "drawtext=text='RISING':fontsize=100:fontcolor=white:\
     x=(w-tw)/2:\
     y='if(lt(t,1),h-t*h,0)'"

# y position: starts at h (bottom), moves to 0 (top) over 1 second

Countdown Timer Variations

Animated Countdown with Anticipation

# Countdown that pulses on each second change
-vf "drawtext=text='%{eif\\:10-floor(t)\\:d}':\
     fontsize='200+50*abs(sin(floor(t)*50))*exp(-(t-floor(t))*8)':\
     fontcolor=white:x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2"

# Breakdown:
# %{eif\\:10-floor(t)\\:d} = countdown number (10, 9, 8, ...)
# abs(sin(floor(t)*50)) = trigger pulse on integer seconds
# exp(-(t-floor(t))*8) = decay within each second
# Result: Number "pops" at each second change

Split-Flap Display (Mechanical)

# Simulates old-school flip counter with vertical offset
-vf "drawtext=text='%{eif\\:10-floor(t)\\:d}':\
     fontsize=200:fontcolor=white:\
     x=(w-tw)/2:\
     y='(h-th)/2-(t-floor(t))*100*step(t-floor(t))'"

# y offset creates "flipping" motion at second boundaries

Optimal Animation Timing by Content Type

Music Video Karaoke

\kf

\kf

\k

\k

\ko

Educational Content

# Slow, clear typewriter for learning
# 80ms per character = comfortable reading pace
-vf "drawtext=textfile=lesson.txt:\
     fontsize=48:fontcolor=white:\
     x=50:y=100:\
     enable='gte(n,eif(n/24,80))'"
# Each character appears every 80/24 ≈ 3.3 frames at 24fps

Scrolling Credits Optimization

# Professional credits scroll
# Speed: 60-80 pixels/second for comfortable reading
-vf "drawtext=textfile=credits.txt:\
     fontsize=42:fontcolor=white:\
     x=(w-tw)/2:\
     y='h-60*t':\
     line_spacing=25"

# Calculation:
# 60 px/s at 42px font = ~1.4 lines/second
# For 50 lines: 50/1.4 = ~36 seconds total duration

Credits readability formula:

scroll_speed = font_size * 1.2 to 1.5  (pixels/second)
total_duration = (line_count * line_height) / scroll_speed

Example:
font_size = 42px
line_height = 42 + 25 (spacing) = 67px
scroll_speed = 42 * 1.4 = 59 px/s
50 lines = 50 * 67 = 3350 pixels
duration = 3350 / 59 = 56.8 seconds

Sources

Enhanced with research from:

• FFmpeg Drawtext Animation Exploration
• ASS Karaoke Tags Documentation
• Advanced Aegisub Karaoke
• Spring Physics for Animations
• Easing Functions Mathematical Reference
• FFmpeg Expression Evaluation

Apply Karaoke ASS to Video

# Burn karaoke subtitles into video
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "ass=karaoke.ass" \
  -c:v libx264 -crf 18 -c:a copy \
  output_karaoke.mp4

# With specific fonts directory
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "ass=karaoke.ass:fontsdir=/path/to/fonts" \
  output.mp4

Advanced ASS Karaoke Styles

[V4+ Styles]
; Gradient karaoke (yellow to red)
Style: KaraokeGradient,Impact,80,&H0000FFFF,&H000000FF,&H00000000,&H80000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,1,4,2,2,10,10,60,1

; Glow effect karaoke
Style: KaraokeGlow,Arial Black,72,&H00FFFFFF,&H00FF00FF,&H00FF00FF,&H00000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,4,0,20,2,10,10,50,1

; Outline only (neon style)
Style: KaraokeNeon,Arial,80,&H00000000,&H0000FF00,&H0000FF00,&H00000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,3,4,0,2,10,10,50,1

[Events]
; Word-by-word with effects
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.00,0:00:05.00,KaraokeGradient,,0,0,0,,{\k50\fad(200,0)}Never {\k50}gonna {\k50}give {\k50}you {\k50}up
; With positioning
Dialogue: 0,0:00:05.00,0:00:09.00,KaraokeGlow,,0,0,0,,{\pos(960,900)\k50}Never {\k50}gonna {\k50}let {\k50}you {\k50}down

ASS Color Format

ASS uses

&HAABBGGRR

• &H00FFFFFF

  = White (fully opaque)

• &H000000FF

  = Red

• &H0000FF00

  = Green

• &H00FF0000

  = Blue

• &H80000000

  = 50% transparent black

Karaoke with Animation Effects

[Events]
; Bounce effect per word
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.00,0:00:05.00,Karaoke,,0,0,0,,{\k50\t(0,500,\fry360)}Word1 {\k50\t(0,500,\fry360)}Word2

; Scale pop on highlight
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.00,0:00:05.00,Karaoke,,0,0,0,,{\k50\t(0,100,\fscx120\fscy120)\t(100,200,\fscx100\fscy100)}Pop

; Color transition
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.00,0:00:05.00,Karaoke,,0,0,0,,{\k100\t(0,1000,\c&H0000FF&)}Red {\k100\t(0,1000,\c&H00FF00&)}Green

ASS Animation Tags Reference

\t(t1,t2,tags)

\move(x1,y1,x2,y2)

\fad(fadein,fadeout)

\fscx

\fscy

\frx

\fry

\frz

\pos(x,y)

\an1-9

Scrolling Credits

Vertical Scroll (Bottom to Top)

# Basic scrolling credits
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=textfile=credits.txt:\
       fontfile=/path/to/font.ttf:\
       fontsize=48:\
       fontcolor=white:\
       x=(w-tw)/2:\
       y=h-80*t" \
  -c:v libx264 -crf 18 output.mp4

# y=h-80*t: Start at bottom (h), move up at 80 pixels/second

credits.txt Format

DIRECTED BY
John Smith

PRODUCED BY
Jane Doe

STARRING
Actor One
Actor Two
Actor Three

MUSIC BY
Composer Name

SPECIAL THANKS
Everyone

Scrolling Credits with Sections

# Multi-speed credits (slower for names)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=textfile=credits.txt:\
       fontsize=48:\
       fontcolor=white:\
       x=(w-tw)/2:\
       y='h-60*t':\
       line_spacing=20" \
  output.mp4

Horizontal Scrolling (News Ticker)

# Right to left scroll
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='BREAKING NEWS... This is a scrolling ticker message':\
       fontsize=36:\
       fontcolor=white:\
       y=h-50:\
       x='w-mod(t*150,w+tw)'" \
  ticker.mp4

# x='w-mod(t*150,w+tw)': Continuous scroll at 150 pixels/second

Looping Horizontal Scroll

# Seamless looping ticker
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='   LIVE NEWS     BREAKING STORY     UPDATES   ':\
       fontsize=40:\
       fontcolor=yellow:\
       y=h-60:\
       x='w-mod(t*200\\,w+tw)':\
       box=1:boxcolor=red@0.8:boxborderw=10" \
  news_ticker.mp4

Typewriter Effect

Character-by-Character Reveal

# Typewriter effect using enable
ffmpeg -f lavfi -i "color=c=black:s=1920x1080:d=10" \
  -vf "\
    drawtext=text='H':x=100:y=500:fontsize=72:fontcolor=white:enable='gte(t,0.0)',\
    drawtext=text='e':x=150:y=500:fontsize=72:fontcolor=white:enable='gte(t,0.1)',\
    drawtext=text='l':x=200:y=500:fontsize=72:fontcolor=white:enable='gte(t,0.2)',\
    drawtext=text='l':x=250:y=500:fontsize=72:fontcolor=white:enable='gte(t,0.3)',\
    drawtext=text='o':x=300:y=500:fontsize=72:fontcolor=white:enable='gte(t,0.4)'" \
  typewriter.mp4

Typewriter with Cursor

# Blinking cursor during typing
ffmpeg -f lavfi -i "color=c=black:s=1920x1080:d=5" \
  -vf "\
    drawtext=text='Hello':fontsize=72:fontcolor=white:x=100:y=500:\
             enable='gte(t,0)':alpha='min(1,(t-0)/0.5)',\
    drawtext=text='|':fontsize=72:fontcolor=white:\
             x='100+72*min(5,floor(t/0.1))':y=500:\
             alpha='lt(mod(t,0.5),0.25)'" \
  typewriter_cursor.mp4

Text Fade Effects

Fade In

# Simple fade in
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='Title':fontsize=100:fontcolor=white:\
       x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2:\
       alpha='if(lt(t,2),t/2,1)'" \
  fade_in.mp4

# Explanation: alpha goes from 0 to 1 over 2 seconds

Fade Out

# Fade out (assuming 10 second video)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='Goodbye':fontsize=100:fontcolor=white:\
       x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2:\
       alpha='if(gt(t,8),1-(t-8)/2,1)'" \
  fade_out.mp4

Fade In and Out

# Title card with fade in/out
ffmpeg -f lavfi -i "color=c=black:s=1920x1080:d=6" \
  -vf "drawtext=text='Chapter One':fontsize=120:fontcolor=white:\
       x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2:\
       alpha='if(lt(t,1),t,if(gt(t,5),1-(t-5),1))'" \
  title_card.mp4

Moving Text

Bouncing Text

# Vertical bounce
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='BOUNCE':fontsize=80:fontcolor=yellow:\
       x=(w-tw)/2:\
       y='(h-th)/2+50*sin(t*5)'" \
  bounce.mp4

# Horizontal bounce
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='PING PONG':fontsize=60:fontcolor=cyan:\
       x='(w-tw)/2+200*sin(t*3)':\
       y=(h-th)/2" \
  horizontal_bounce.mp4

Circular Motion

# Text moving in circle
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='ORBIT':fontsize=60:fontcolor=white:\
       x='(w/2)+200*cos(t*2)-tw/2':\
       y='(h/2)+200*sin(t*2)-th/2'" \
  orbit.mp4

Enter from Side

# Slide in from right
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='SLIDE IN':fontsize=80:fontcolor=white:\
       x='if(lt(t,1),w-tw*(t),w-tw)':\
       y=(h-th)/2" \
  slide_in.mp4

# Slide in from left
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='FROM LEFT':fontsize=80:fontcolor=white:\
       x='if(lt(t,1),-tw+tw*t,0)':\
       y=(h-th)/2" \
  slide_left.mp4

Kinetic Typography

Word Pop Effect

# Words appearing with scale
ffmpeg -f lavfi -i "color=c=black:s=1920x1080:d=8" \
  -vf "\
    drawtext=text='THIS':fontsize='72*(1+0.3*exp(-3*(t-1)))':fontcolor=white:\
             x=(w-tw)/2:y=h/2-100:enable='gte(t,1)',\
    drawtext=text='IS':fontsize='72*(1+0.3*exp(-3*(t-2)))':fontcolor=white:\
             x=(w-tw)/2:y=h/2:enable='gte(t,2)',\
    drawtext=text='KINETIC':fontsize='72*(1+0.3*exp(-3*(t-3)))':fontcolor=red:\
             x=(w-tw)/2:y=h/2+100:enable='gte(t,3)'" \
  kinetic_pop.mp4

Shake Effect

# Shaking text (impact effect)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='IMPACT':fontsize=120:fontcolor=white:\
       x='(w-tw)/2+10*sin(t*50)*exp(-t*2)':\
       y='(h-th)/2+10*cos(t*50)*exp(-t*2)'" \
  shake.mp4

Rotation Animation

# Spinning text (requires recent FFmpeg)
# Note: drawtext doesn't support rotation natively
# Use ASS subtitles for rotation:

# Create spinning.ass
cat << 'EOF' > spinning.ass
[Script Info]
ScriptType: v4.00+
PlayResX: 1920
PlayResY: 1080

[V4+ Styles]
Style: Spin,Arial,72,&H00FFFFFF,&H00FFFFFF,&H00000000,&H00000000,0,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,1,2,0,5,0,0,0,1

[Events]
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:05.00,Spin,,0,0,0,,{\an5\pos(960,540)\t(0,5000,\frz1080)}SPINNING
EOF

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "ass=spinning.ass" output.mp4

Lower Thirds

Basic Lower Third

# Name and title lower third
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "\
    drawbox=x=50:y=h-150:w=500:h=100:c=blue@0.7:t=fill,\
    drawtext=text='John Smith':fontsize=36:fontcolor=white:\
             x=70:y=h-140,\
    drawtext=text='CEO, Company Inc.':fontsize=24:fontcolor=white@0.8:\
             x=70:y=h-100" \
  lower_third.mp4

Animated Lower Third

# Slide-in lower third
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "\
    drawbox=x='if(lt(t,0.5),-500+1000*t,50)':\
            y=h-150:w=500:h=100:c=blue@0.7:t=fill:\
            enable='between(t,0,8)',\
    drawtext=text='John Smith':fontsize=36:fontcolor=white:\
             x='if(lt(t,0.5),-430+1000*t,70)':y=h-140:\
             alpha='min(1,(t-0.3)/0.3)':\
             enable='between(t,0.3,8)',\
    drawtext=text='CEO, Company Inc.':fontsize=24:fontcolor=white:\
             x='if(lt(t,0.5),-430+1000*t,70)':y=h-100:\
             alpha='min(1,(t-0.5)/0.3)':\
             enable='between(t,0.5,8)'" \
  animated_lower_third.mp4

Countdown Timer

Simple Countdown

# 10 second countdown
ffmpeg -f lavfi -i "color=c=black:s=1920x1080:d=10" \
  -vf "drawtext=text='%{eif\\:10-t\\:d}':fontsize=200:fontcolor=white:\
       x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2" \
  countdown.mp4

Countdown with Animation

# Pulsing countdown
ffmpeg -f lavfi -i "color=c=black:s=1920x1080:d=10" \
  -vf "drawtext=text='%{eif\\:10-t\\:d}':\
       fontsize='200+30*sin(t*10)*exp(-mod(t,1)*3)':\
       fontcolor=white:\
       x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2" \
  pulsing_countdown.mp4

Stopwatch/Timer

# Count up timer (MM:SS)
ffmpeg -f lavfi -i "color=c=black:s=1920x1080:d=120" \
  -vf "drawtext=text='%{eif\\:floor(t/60)\\:d\\:2}\\:%{eif\\:mod(t,60)\\:d\\:2}':\
       fontsize=100:fontcolor=green:\
       x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2" \
  stopwatch.mp4

Dynamic Text from Variables

Frame Number Display

# Show frame number
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='Frame\\: %{frame_num}':\
       fontsize=24:fontcolor=white:\
       x=10:y=10" \
  frame_numbers.mp4

Timecode Display

# Show timecode
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='%{pts\\:hms}':\
       fontsize=24:fontcolor=white:\
       x=10:y=10" \
  timecode.mp4

# With milliseconds
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='%{pts}':\
       fontsize=24:fontcolor=white:\
       x=10:y=10" \
  timecode_ms.mp4

File Metadata Display

# Show filename
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='%{metadata\\:title}':\
       fontsize=24:fontcolor=white:\
       x=10:y=h-40" \
  metadata.mp4

Multi-Line Text

Centered Multi-Line

# Multi-line centered text
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='Line One\nLine Two\nLine Three':\
       fontsize=48:fontcolor=white:\
       x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2:\
       line_spacing=20" \
  multiline.mp4

Text File Input

# Use text file for long text
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=textfile=message.txt:\
       fontsize=36:fontcolor=white:\
       x=50:y=50:\
       line_spacing=10" \
  from_file.mp4

Expression Reference

Useful Time Expressions

t

t*100

mod(t,5)

sin(t*3)

exp(-t)

if(lt(t,2),expr1,expr2)

min(a,b)

max(a,b)

floor(t)

ceil(t)

Useful Variables

w

h

tw

th

n

frame_num

Common Patterns

# Appear after 2 seconds
enable='gte(t,2)'

# Visible between 2-5 seconds
enable='between(t,2,5)'

# Fade in over 1 second
alpha='min(1,t)'

# Center horizontally
x='(w-tw)/2'

# Center vertically
y='(h-th)/2'

# Loop position
x='mod(t*100,w)'

# Smooth oscillation
y='h/2+50*sin(t*3)'

# Decay animation
fontsize='100+50*exp(-t*2)'

This guide covers FFmpeg karaoke and animated text. For basic subtitles see

ffmpeg-captions-subtitles

ffmpeg-shapes-graphics