This guide walks you through exactly how to stabilise video in Kapwing using its AI-powered stabiliser, from upload to export, so you can fix shaky footage fast without reinstalling software or losing quality.
Fix shaky video fast with Kapwing's AI video stabiliser
Shaky video is one of the most common issues action camera riders run into. Kapwing’s online video stabiliser smooths out visible wobble in seconds, helping you stabilise shaky video whilst keeping your original resolution and framing as intact as possible.
Why shaky video happens and when a stabiliser helps
Most video shakiness comes from hand movement, slower shutter speeds in low light, or digital zoom pushing your footage too far. Once built-in camera correction runs out of headroom, a video stabiliser becomes the practical fix.
That matters most when the clip is already shot. Knowing how to stabilise video in Kapwing gives you a clean fix for footage that's already in the can, and Drift Innovation’s video tutorial guide also covers frame rate and exposure choices that reduce shake before you even start stabilising video.
Step-by-step guide to stabilise video in Kapwing
Kapwing works as a browser-based video stabiliser app, so there’s nothing to install. Open the Kapwing video editor in any browser and run through the steps below to stabilise footage on almost any device.
- Upload your footage Open video from a local folder or paste in a URL to bring your clip into the editor.
- Select the video layer Click the clip on the canvas, then find the AI Tools panel in the right-hand sidebar.
- Apply stabilisation Choose the stabilise option and automatic video stabilisation starts straight away, analysing each frame to reduce unwanted jitter.
- Export your file Once the footage is stabilised, export it as an MP4 from 480p up to 4K, then download or share it directly.
From there, you can edit video further with subtitles, text overlays, or music, which makes this online video stabilisation workflow worth considering when you want one pass for both fixing and finishing.
| Supported upload formats | Export format | Export resolution | Processing speed |
| MP4, MOV, AVI, WEBM | MP4 | 480p to 4K | Under 1 minute (most clips) |
| MPEG, FLV, WMV, MKV | MP4 | GPU-accelerated 4K | CUDA / OpenCL support |
Adjusting stabiliser intensity to get the best results
Once the clip is in place, the video stabilisation feature gives you a 0–100% control for stabiliser strength. The real difference comes down to crop versus smoothness: a higher stabilisation level can deliver steadier footage, but it also trims more from the edges of the frame.
Preview before export. If the result still looks uneven, raise the stabilisation level gradually until the motion feels natural rather than over-corrected.
Because the footage stays non-destructive inside the editor, you can test online video stabilisation settings, compare versions, and stabilise video without throwing away source quality.
Reduce shaky video at the source before editing
Post-production can rescue a shaky video, but capture technique still does the heavy lifting. A secure mount is usually the single biggest upgrade, because solid camera mount stability cuts the kind of movement no video stabilisation tool can fully rebuild later.
- Use a mount A helmet or handlebar setup keeps the camera rigid and reduces the amount of correction needed when you stabilise shaky video later.
- Set the right frame rate Higher frame rates give the stabiliser more visual data, which helps when stabilising video shot in rough terrain or fast-changing conditions.
- Optimise exposure Slow shutter speeds add blur on top of motion, and that makes shaky video harder for any online video stabiliser to clean up.
- Check OIS settings If your camera offers optical image stabilisation, enable it so the video stabiliser has less work to do in post.
Once that's sorted, Kapwing handles the residual wobble without requiring any local software. Whether you use a video stabiliser app on the move or the full Kapwing video editor at your desk, the aim is the same: stabilise cleanly, without heavy artefacts, and without spending time on shake that was preventable at capture.