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Step 1: Check that your background is transparent
Before you export, make sure the empty parts of your sequence really are transparent. Click the wrench icon in the Program Monitor to open the settings menu and turn on Transparency Grid. Empty areas now show as a checkerboard pattern instead of black. If you still see black, there is a solid layer or a black video clip underneath your graphic, and you need to remove it.
Step 2: Open the Export settings
Select your sequence and press Ctrl + M (Cmd + M on a Mac), or go to File > Export > Media. This opens the Export screen, where you choose your file name and location.
Step 3: Choose QuickTime as the format
Open the Format dropdown and pick QuickTime. The default H.264 format cannot store transparency, so it will always fill the empty areas with black. QuickTime creates a .mov file that can hold an alpha channel.
Step 4: Pick a codec that supports alpha
Expand the Video section and open the Video Codec dropdown. Choose Apple ProRes 4444, which keeps the alpha channel. If you use an older version of Premiere Pro, the video also points to GoPro CineForm, which offers 12-bit with alpha.
Step 5: Set the depth to include alpha
If you use GoPro CineForm, scroll down in the video settings and click More so the extra options appear. Under Depth, change YUV 10-bpc to RGBA 12-bpc + alpha. Leave Render Alpha Channel Only unticked, because that option exports only a black and white matte instead of your picture. Then click Export.
Tips
- Expect big files. Codecs with an alpha channel are much heavier than H.264, so export only the section you need.
- Test the file. Import the exported clip into a new sequence over another video to check the background really is see-through.
- Not all apps read alpha. Editors and motion tools generally do, but some social platforms and video players will show black behind your clip.
FAQ
Which format exports transparent video from Premiere Pro?
Use QuickTime with a codec that supports alpha, such as Apple ProRes 4444. H.264 and MP4 do not support transparency.
Why is my exported video black instead of transparent?
Either your format does not support alpha, such as H.264, or there is a solid layer under your graphic. Turn on the Transparency Grid in the Program Monitor to check that the background really is transparent before exporting.
Can I export a transparent video as MP4?
No. MP4 and H.264 cannot store an alpha channel. Export a QuickTime .mov file instead and import that into your next project.
Looking for ready-made transparent assets to practise with? Browse our free assets and drop them straight over your footage.
