Make animations for YouTube for free.

Turn your voice into a standout animated character for your YouTube channel. Get started quickly and easily using Adobe Express.

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How to make an animation for YouTube.

1. Character & audio.

Pick a character. Upload an audio file or record your dialogue.

2. Customize.

Preview your audio and animation. Change the character or background as desired.

3. Continue editing.

Download your new YouTube animation to save or share, or keep editing in Adobe Express.

Pick your favorite character.

Browse our selection of handcrafted characters, including a unicorn, fox, robot, and more. Choose your favorite character that best fits your YouTube content. Preview how your audio fits with your chosen character and swap it out for a new one if need be.

Add your audio or recording.

Record your own voice to use in your animation. Start speaking into your mic after the countdown, and pause at any time and resume when you’re ready. You can also easily upload an audio file right from your device. Audio files can be up to two minutes long. When you’re ready, select Done to preview your results.

Customize it.

Preview your animation to see how you like it. Swap out the character or background to give it a whole new feel. Use the trim handles to adjust the length of your clip.

Use the Size option to set your video to the right parameters. Select YouTube from the dropdown menu to crop your video into a landscape format for your regular video content. Use the Custom output option to enter in a vertical portrait of 1080px by 1920px to use for YouTube Shorts. Download your finished character animation right to your device and share it right to your YouTube page or edit it into bigger video projects. You can even grab a screenshot of your character animation to use as your video thumbnail. Excite your friends and subscribers with your custom animated content.

Make videos on the go.

Quickly and easily make videos on the go using Adobe Express. Trim, resize, change speed, and merge videos in seconds. Available on mobile and web.

Discover even more.

Frequently asked questions.

What makes Adobe Express the best animation tool for YouTube videos?

Our Animate Characters tool empowers everyone to animate a character. All you have to do is pick a character and start recording your voice, then watch your animated character come to life in seconds. No experience required.

Can I change the background of the animation?

Yes. Pick from a variety of backgrounds. Change your background at any time in the process.

What type of audio files can I upload?

You can upload WAV or MP3 audio files. It’s also possible to upload MP4 files as audio-only. If you’re using Safari as your browser, you can upload AIF files, as well.

How do I create different sizes of my animation video?

Pick from various output sizes including profile, square, or landscape. Choose the preset size that works best for your YouTube content.

Can I use Adobe Express for free? If so, what’s included?

Yes, we have a free plan available for anyone. Enjoy everything you need to stand out, including dozens of quick action tools, thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, and much more. Explore our plans and pricing for details.

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