How do I generate my first video in Runway?

Sign in at app.runwayml.com, click Generate a video on the home screen, pick a model, type a description (or upload an image), and press Generate. Your clip usually arrives within a few minutes.

Text to Video

1. In the generation view, choose a model from the selector at the top left:

- Gen-4 Turbo — fast and cheap on credits; the everyday default. - Gen-4 — better visual quality and motion; costs more credits. - Gen-3 Alpha / Gen-3 Alpha Turbo — previous generation; still solid for some realistic looks.

1. Type what you want to see in the prompt box (English works best), e.g. A golden retriever running on the beach at sunset, slow motion.
2. Pick a duration (5 or 10 seconds) and an aspect ratio (16:9, 9:16, etc.).
3. Click Generate. The job enters the queue, and the finished video plays on the right when done.

Image to Video

1. Click the image icon next to the prompt box and upload a picture to use as the first frame.
2. You can leave the prompt empty and let the model animate the shot, or add a short motion note like the camera slowly zooms in.
3. Everything else works the same. Image-to-video keeps composition and characters much more consistent — it's the best starting point for beginners.

After it's generated

• Not happy? Click Re-run below the result to try again with the same settings (this costs credits again).
• Happy? Hit the download icon to save it as an MP4.
• Every generation is saved under Sessions, so nothing is lost if you close the tab.

If it doesn't work

• Generate button grayed out: check the credit balance in the bottom-left corner — it may be empty.
• Content policy warning: remove references to real celebrities, violence, or adult content from your prompt and try again.