What is the best way to create an auto-playing video loop on a web page using Webflow, without using third-party tools or integrations like YouTube?
TL;DR
- Use the Background Video element for muted, looping autoplay without controls; upload MP4/WebM/OGG files under 30MB.
- Use the Video element with custom attributes (autoplay, loop, muted, playsinline) for direct MP4 links if you need more control or basic playback settings.
To create an auto-playing, looping video directly in Webflow without using third-party platforms like YouTube, you’ll need to use Webflow’s native Video or Background Video elements with the correct settings.
1. Use the Background Video Element (if no controls are needed)
- Drag the Background Video component from the Add panel into your design.
- Upload your video file (must be in .webm, .ogg, or .mp4 format).
- Webflow automatically loops and auto-plays background videos with muted audio, which is required for autoplay to work in most browsers.
- This element is ideal for decorative or section background videos without controls.
Limitations:
- Maximum file size: 30MB
- No controls or sound
2. Use the Video Element With Custom Attributes (if controls are needed)
- Drag the Video element into your layout.
- Use a direct MP4 file URL hosted via Webflow CMS (or uploaded to Webflow’s assets).
- Paste the file URL in the Video Link field (must be a direct file link—not YouTube or Vimeo).
Then set it up to autoplay and loop:
- Select the video element.
- In the Element Settings, click the gear icon.
- Check these boxes:
- Autoplay
- Loop
- Muted (required for autoplay to work on most browsers)
If the checkboxes aren’t available, or for more control:
- Add the following custom attributes in the Settings panel:
- autoplay =
true - loop =
true - muted =
true - playsinline =
true(for mobile autoplay)
3. Optimize the Video File Before Upload
- Use an MP4 format encoded with H.264 for best compatibility.
- Compress the video using tools like HandBrake or VEED.IO to reduce file size without losing much quality.
- Keep the resolution to 720p or lower for background videos to improve load time.
Summary
Use Background Video for silent looping visuals, and use the Video Element with attributes for user-facing control or audio-free autoplay. Both methods are fully supported natively in Webflow and don’t require third-party integrations.