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Make a video from numbered photos with ffmpeg

Combine a sequence of numbered images into an MP4 slideshow or timelapse using the built-in image2 demuxer.

WindowsvideoimagesffmpegLow risk
Run: ffmpeg -framerate 24 -i frame%04d.png -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p output.mp4

01Command

Command
$ ffmpeg -framerate 24 -i frame%04d.png -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p output.mp4

02What it does

Name your photos in a numbered sequence such as frame0001.png, frame0002.png; the %04d pattern matches four-digit numbering. -framerate 24 packs 24 images per second — raise it for a faster timelapse, lower it for a calmer slideshow. -pix_fmt yuv420p keeps the MP4 playable in most players and phones.

03Risk

RiskLow risk
Requirementsffmpeg installed (winget install Gyan.FFmpeg); images named in sequence like frame0001.png
!Warning: The numbering must start at 0001 and be gap-free, or ffmpeg will stop at the first missing image.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • FFmpeg Documentation
    FFmpeg · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Documents -framerate (input frames per second for the image demuxer), -i with image sequence patterns (frame%04d.png), and libx264 encoding via -c:v.
  • FFmpeg Formats Documentation
    FFmpeg · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Documents the image2 image file demuxer/muxer used for numbered image sequences, including its framerate option and %d-style filename patterns.

Last verified: 2026-09-19 · Category: Media