How can I autoplay and loop short videos on a Webflow page without compromising on quality or file size?
TL;DR
- Use Webflow’s Background Video element with compressed .mp4 files under 30MB for built-in autoplay and loop.
- For larger or higher-quality videos, host externally and embed with a video tag using autoplay, loop, muted, and playsinline attributes.
To autoplay and loop short videos in Webflow while keeping quality high and file size low, follow these steps using background videos or custom embeds optimized correctly.
1. Use Background Video for Small, Looping Clips
- Go to Add panel, drag a Background Video element into the web page.
- Upload an optimized video file in .mp4 format only, with a max size of 30MB (Webflow’s limit).
- The video will autoplay, loop, and be muted by default—this satisfies most browser autoplay policies.
2. Optimize Video Format and Compression
- Ensure your video is in .mp4 with H.264 codec for wide browser compatibility.
- Use tools like HandBrake, Shutter Encoder, or online compressors to:
- Trim duration.
- Set resolution no higher than 1920x1080 (for HD) or lower if embedded smaller.
- Use variable bitrate to reduce file size while maintaining visual clarity.
3. Alternative: Custom Embed for More Control
If you need to host higher-quality videos or avoid the 30MB limit:
- Upload your video to third-party hosting (like Bunny.net, Vimeo Pro, or Cloudflare Stream).
- Embed with a custom video tag via an Embed element:
- Include attributes: autoplay, loop, muted, and playsinline.
- Example inline:
<video autoplay loop muted playsinline loading="lazy" src="https://yourcdn.com/video.mp4"></video>
4. Avoid YouTube for Looping Autoplay
- YouTube embeds are difficult to loop cleanly and don’t support autoplay unless muted and hidden controls.
- If needed, use
?autoplay=1&loop=1&playlist=VIDEO_ID&mute=1&controls=0in the YouTube URL inside an embed, but this offers less control and higher overhead.
5. Use Lazy Loading or Delay
- Apply lazy loading using
loading="lazy"or trigger playback via interaction if needed. - This prevents large videos from impacting initial page load speed.
Summary
Use Webflow’s Background Video element for autoplaying, looping clips under 30MB. For longer or higher-quality videos, embed with compressed .mp4 files hosted externally, using the proper attributes for autoplay and loop. Always compress videos to balance quality and performance.