Satisfying and Mesmerizing Looping Videos

A looping video is a short video clip that seamlessly repeats itself over and over again. The first frame of the video and the last frame are identical, making it easy to have a loop play for however long you need it to. The best loops will play with a very distinct yet subtle movement, often only moving in one direction the entire time. The movement not only keeps viewers captivated, it helps hide that the clip continuously replays itself.

Looping backgrounds are video clips designed to be used behind text, graphics, or other video clips like green screen footage. You often see looping backgrounds used for sales and advertisements, news and informational disclaimers, concerts, sporting events, and award shows. Looping video backgrounds are also becoming more commonly used on websites, where they can help break up blocks of text or draw attention to the titles and imagery used on the site.

For a successful video loop, the very first frame of the clip and the very last frame must be identical. The best video loops are short and move in a single direction, which allows the loop to play and repeat seamlessly. Using a stock video loop, you can easily have a clip play over and over again for however long you need. Just keep adding the same clip to your timeline over and over again until you reach the desired length you need. For loops on social media, follow the same rule and make sure your first and last frame are identical. Apps like Instagram will then just keep playing the video on repeat, with the video picking back up right where it left off. If your first and last frames match, you shouldn’t even notice that the clip stops playing. Most often, looping videos are made digitally by motion designers and 3D artists. While there are live-action loops, it’s much harder to capture a perfect loop unless you have total control over every minor movement that could break the illusion.

Shutterstock has a vast video library with millions of stock clips for you to download and use. Search for terms such as “space loops,” “nature loops,” “animated loops,” “abstract loops,” “looping technology,” and more. You’ll find hundreds of looping videos you can use on your next project. Use the search bar above to begin your journey, and on the results page you can fine tune your results with the advanced filters on the side of the screen.

Need high quality stock footage for your next video project? Shutterstock has one of the largest stock video libraries in the world. Our incredible contributors provide some of the best stock video footage available, used in countless advertisements, commercials, in-store displays, television shows, and feature films. Whether you need footage for a YouTube video or major motion picture, you will find the quality footage you need. Find stunning looping videos made by filmmaker and 3D artists all over the world in 4K, HD, and standard definition.