How to make a video quieter

Lower the volume in Clipchamp (Windows or web)

Clipchamp comes with Windows 11 and also runs in a browser. Its volume slider goes from mute up to 200%.

1. Open Clipchamp, create a new video and import your file.
2. Drag the video onto the timeline and click it to select it.
3. Open the Audio tab in the property panel on the right.
4. Drag the volume slider to the left. 100% is the original level.
5. Select Export and choose a resolution that matches your original. The new MP4 is saved to your Downloads folder.

To make only one part quieter, split the clip around that part on the timeline and lower the volume of that piece only.

If you plan to add music or a voice-over, you can also right-click the video and detach its audio. The sound then sits on its own track below the picture, which makes it easier to adjust separately from anything you add.

Lower the volume in iMovie on iPhone

The Photos app can mute a video but has no volume slider. iMovie, Apple’s free editor from the App Store, can turn the sound down. Next to the slider there is also a Mute button if you decide to remove the sound completely.

1. Open iMovie, start a new movie project and add your video.
2. Tap the clip in the timeline to open the inspector at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap the Audio button and move the volume slider to the left.
4. Tap Done, then the share button, and choose Save Video.

Lower the volume with FFmpeg

FFmpeg can change only the audio and copy the picture as it is, so the video keeps its exact quality. The first command halves the volume; the second lowers it by 10 decibels.

A value of 0.5 means half the original level, and negative decibel values make the sound quieter. Hearing is roughly logarithmic, so a drop of about 10 dB already sounds around half as loud to most people.

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -af "volume=0.5" -c:v copy output.mp4
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -af "volume=-10dB" -c:v copy output.mp4

Make a video quieter in your browser

Without installing an editor, you can use MuteVideo’s Lower video volume page. Choose the file, set Sound to Quieter, pick a percentage and tap Listen to check it, then save. It works with MP4, MOV and WebM files, up to 500 MB in total on a desktop or 150 MB on a phone, and the video is not uploaded.

How much to turn it down

• 50% is a clear drop, about 6 decibels quieter. It is a good first try for background noise or loud music.
• 25% or lower suits sound that should stay in the background under a voice-over or music you add later.
• 0% removes the sound completely. If that is what you need, mute the video instead, which keeps the picture untouched.
• Raising the volume above 100% can distort loud parts. Listen to the loudest moment before you save.