Runway can bring a still image to life: a product photo that slowly rotates, a landscape with drifting clouds, or an illustration that turns into an animated scene. This is called image to video, and it is one of the easiest ways to create eye-catching footage without filming.
In this guide you will generate your first clip in Runway, learn how to write prompts that describe motion, and turn the result into usable B-roll for ads, YouTube or social media.
Last updated: October 14, 2026. Menus and button names can change, so if something looks different, look for the closest matching option.
Best for: Creative shots, ads, B-roll and social visuals
Starting price: Free 125 credits; Standard $15/month ($12 yearly)
Before you start
- A Runway account (the Free plan includes 125 one-time credits)
- A high-quality image you own: product photo, illustration, landscape or AI-generated image
- An idea of the motion you want: camera move, subject movement or atmosphere
- Google Chrome for the best experience (mobile apps are also available)
The process at a glance
- Open
- Model
- Upload
- Prompt
- Generate
- Iterate
- Export
Step-by-step: animate an image in Runway
Step 1: Open Runway and choose Tools
Go to app.runwayml.com and choose Tools for the classic interface with full control over inputs and settings. Runway automatically creates a session to keep your outputs organised.
Step 2: Select a video model
Use the model switcher in the bottom-left corner. Gen-4.5 is Runway’s most advanced model and supports image to video and text to video. Older models such as Gen-4 Turbo are faster and use fewer credits, which is useful for quick tests.
Test your idea with a faster, cheaper model first, then render the final version with the best model.
Step 3: Upload your image
Add your image as the input. Use a sharp, well-lit image with the main subject clearly visible; the output can only be as good as the source.
Only use images you own or have the rights to, and avoid images of real people without their consent.
Step 4: Write a motion-only prompt
For image to video, describe only the motion, not what is already in the picture. Runway already sees the image.
- Good: “Slow dolly-in toward the bottle, soft light flickers, water droplets slide down.”
- Weak: “A green glass bottle on a wooden table in a kitchen.”
Step 5: Generate
Click the violet Generate button. Your clip appears in the session list when it is ready.
Step 6: Review and iterate
Watch the clip several times. If the motion is too fast, objects warp or the camera drifts, adjust the prompt and generate again. Click Use under a finished clip for more options, such as using it as a starting point for the next generation.
Each generation uses credits. Changing one thing at a time (camera, speed or subject) helps you learn what works.
Step 7: Download and edit
Download your favourite clips and combine them in your video editor with music, text and voiceover. Several short animated shots make a strong intro, ad or B-roll sequence.
Motion prompt cheat sheet
| Effect | Prompt wording |
|---|---|
| Push in | “Slow dolly-in toward the subject” |
| Orbit | “Camera orbits slowly around the product” |
| Drone feel | “Aerial camera rises and reveals the landscape” |
| Subtle life | “Hair and clothes move gently in the wind, soft breathing” |
| Atmosphere | “Fog drifts across the scene, light rays shift slowly” |
| Product shot | “Product rotates 90 degrees on a turntable, studio lighting” |
Keep prompts short and concrete. Words like “slow”, “gentle” and “steady” reduce warping.
Text to video vs image to video
Image to video gives you more control because the composition, colours and subject are fixed by your image; you only describe motion. Text to video creates everything from your words, so you describe both the scene and the motion. For brand work and products, image to video is usually more reliable.More step-by-step guides
- How to make an AI avatar video with Synthesia
- How to translate a video with HeyGen
- How to make a YouTube video with invideo AI
- How to turn a blog post into a video with Pictory
- How to clone your voice with ElevenLabs
- How to edit video by editing text in Descript
- How to turn a long video into Shorts with Munch
- How to create an interactive training video with Colossyan
- How to make a faceless YouTube video with Fliki
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Runway for free?
Yes. The Free plan includes 125 one-time credits, enough for a few test generations. Standard costs $15 per month or $12 billed yearly.
How long are Runway clips?
Runway generates short clips of a few seconds each. Longer videos are made by combining several clips in an editor.
Why does my video look distorted?
Fast motion and complex scenes cause warping. Ask for slower, simpler motion, use a sharper source image, or try a different model.
What should I write in an image-to-video prompt?
Describe only the motion: camera movement, subject movement and atmosphere. Do not re-describe what is already visible in the image.
Can I use Runway clips commercially?
Paid plans generally allow commercial use, but check Runway’s current terms and make sure you own the rights to your input image.
Wrap-up
Turning an image into a video with Runway takes seven steps: open Tools, pick a model, upload a strong image, describe the motion, generate, iterate and export. Start with simple camera moves on a product or landscape, then build a library of clips for your intros and ads. Read our Runway review for plans and features.
This guide is independent and is not sponsored by Runway. Some links may be affiliate links, which never change our recommendations. See our Affiliate Disclosure.