How to Generate AI Videos with Runway

Runway's Gen-2 model transforms text descriptions into high-quality video clips up to 18 seconds long. The platform offers both free and paid tiers, making AI video generation accessible for creators and professionals.

1. Create your Runway account. Navigate to runwayml.com and click Sign Up. Enter your email address and create a password. Verify your email through the confirmation link sent to your inbox. Free accounts include 125 credits to start generating videos immediately.
2. Access the Gen-2 video generator. Log into your Runway dashboard and click the Gen-2 tile under AI Magic Tools. The interface displays a text prompt field, generation settings, and your credit balance in the top right corner.
3. Write your video prompt. Enter a detailed description in the text field. Include specific visual elements, camera movements, and style preferences. Effective prompts specify subjects, actions, lighting, and cinematography. For example: 'A red sports car driving through a neon-lit cyberpunk city at night, low angle shot, cinematic lighting.'
4. Configure generation settings. Select your aspect ratio from the dropdown menu: 16:9 for landscape, 9:16 for portrait, or 1:1 for square. Choose video duration between 4 and 18 seconds using the slider. Longer videos consume more credits but provide more content.
5. Generate your video. Click the Generate button to start processing. Generation typically takes 1-3 minutes depending on duration and server load. The progress bar shows completion status. Your video appears in the preview window when finished.
6. Download and refine your video. Click the download arrow icon to save your video as an MP4 file. Videos download at 1280x768 resolution for 16:9 aspect ratio. Use the upscale feature for higher resolution output, though this consumes additional credits.
7. Manage your credits and usage. Monitor your credit balance in the top right corner of the interface. Free accounts receive 125 credits monthly. Each 4-second video costs 5 credits, while 18-second videos cost 45 credits. Purchase additional credits through the billing section for continued usage.