How to match colour across a batch of videos
- Step 1Pick a representative clip and dial in the look — Drop one clip that is typical of the set and tune brightness, contrast, saturation, and gamma using the live WebGPU preview. This is your master grade — the four numbers you will apply to every clip. Get it right here so the batch run is one-and-done.
- Step 2Add the rest of the clips — Drop the remaining files in. When more than one file is present, the tool switches to batch mode automatically. Batch size is limited by tier: Free 1, Pro 5, Pro+Media 50, Developer unlimited. Each file must also be within the per-file size cap (Free 1 GB, Pro 10 GB, Pro+Media / Developer 100 GB).
- Step 3Confirm the settings apply to all clips — The same four slider values are used for every clip in the queue — there is no per-clip override in batch mode. If one clip needs a different grade, leave it out and process it separately afterward.
- Step 4Start the batch — The grader processes clips sequentially, running
eqover each and re-encoding with libx264 CRF 20, audio copied. Progress is shown per job. Because each clip is a full re-encode, a large set or long clips take time — keep the tab focused. - Step 5Download each graded clip — Each finished job produces its own graded
.mp4. Download them individually as they complete. The original filenames map to the outputs so you can keep your timeline order straight. - Step 6Re-grade any outliers separately — A shot taken under very different light may not match on the shared settings. Grade those one at a time with adjusted numbers, then drop them back into the edit. For the single-clip workflow see Color-grade a video online.
Batch size by tier
Maximum number of clips per batch, plus the per-file size cap each clip must satisfy. Clips are processed sequentially.
| Tier | Clips per batch | Per-file size cap | Preview quota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 1 (no batch) | 1 GB | 1/day at 720p |
| Pro | 5 | 10 GB | 5/day at 1080p |
| Pro+Media | 50 | 100 GB | Unlimited, up to 4K |
| Developer | Unlimited | 100 GB | Unlimited, up to 4K |
What a batch does vs does not do
Identical-settings matching is powerful but is not a shot-matching algorithm. Know the difference before you batch.
| Behaviour | Supported? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Same 4 settings applied to every clip | Yes | brightness/contrast/saturation/gamma identical across the queue |
| One output MP4 per input clip | Yes | Each clip is its own job; audio copied per clip |
| Per-clip different settings in one run | No | Batch uses one shared setting; grade outliers separately |
| Automatic shot-to-shot colour matching | No | It applies fixed numbers, not an algorithm that reads each clip |
| Merging clips into one file | No | Use video-merger after grading |
The four settings being matched
These are the values applied uniformly to every clip in the batch.
| Setting | Range | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | -1 to 1 | 0 |
| Contrast | 0 to 2 | 1 |
| Saturation | 0 to 3 | 1 |
| Gamma | 0.1 to 10 | 1 |
Cookbook
Workflows for getting a consistent look across a multi-clip project. The core move is always: dial in once, then batch with those exact numbers.
Unify five clips from one shoot
A Pro batch (max 5). Clips were all shot in the same room, so a single grade matches them cleanly.
Master grade (set on a representative clip): brightness = 0.03 contrast = 1.10 saturation = 1.15 gamma = 1.02 Add all 5 clips -> batch mode Run -> clip1_graded.mp4 ... clip5_graded.mp4 (each re-encoded H.264 CRF 20, own audio copied)
Match two cameras (A-cam + B-cam)
Two cameras under the same light usually differ slightly. Find settings that bring them close, then batch. Large camera mismatches may still need per-clip tweaks.
Goal: get A-cam and B-cam closer Tune on the B-cam clip until it matches A-cam by eye: contrast=1.08 saturation=1.12 gamma=0.98 Batch both -> Acam_graded.mp4, Bcam_graded.mp4 If one still drifts, re-grade it alone with tweaked numbers.
Batch then merge into one video
The grader exports separate files. To assemble the project, grade as a batch, then concatenate. Same-codec clips merge by stream copy.
Step 1 — color-grader (batch): one grade applied to all clips -> clipN_graded.mp4 Step 2 — assemble: drop all graded clips into /video-tools/video-merger -> project.mp4 (same H.264 codec => fast concat)
Outlier handling
One sunset clip will not match the daytime set on shared numbers. Exclude it from the batch and grade it on its own.
Batch (daytime clips): saturation=1.2 contrast=1.08 -> consistent daytime look Sunset clip (separate single-file grade): saturation=1.25 gamma=0.95 contrast=1.10 -> matched by eye, then dropped into the edit.
Reuse a look on a later batch
Because the grade is just four numbers, you can apply the same look to a second batch from the same shoot weeks later for a consistent series.
Recorded look for the series: brightness=0.02 contrast=1.10 saturation=1.18 gamma=1.0 New batch of clips -> type the same four numbers -> run. Series stays visually consistent episode to episode.
Edge cases and what actually happens
Batch applies one shared setting to all clips
By designThere is no per-clip override inside a batch — the same brightness/contrast/saturation/gamma is applied to every file in the queue. This is exactly what makes the look consistent, but it means an oddball clip should be left out and graded separately.
Free tier cannot batch
Tier limitFree tier is limited to 1 file, so batch mode requires Pro (5 clips) or higher (Pro+Media 50, Developer unlimited). On Free, grade clips one at a time using the same noted settings to approximate a batch.
Clips process sequentially — large sets are slow
ExpectedEach clip is a full FFmpeg.wasm re-encode (eq + libx264 CRF 20) run one after another on your CPU, so a 50-clip or long-form set can take a while. Keep the browser tab focused and let it run; progress is shown per job.
One clip exceeds the per-file size cap
RejectedEach clip in the batch must be within the per-file limit (Free 1 GB, Pro 10 GB, Pro+Media / Developer 100 GB). An oversized clip is rejected before processing — trim it with lossless-trimmer or split with video-splitter first.
It is not automatic shot-matching
Not supportedThe batch does not analyse each clip and auto-correct it to a reference — it applies fixed numbers. For clips shot under similar light this matches them well; for very different shots it will not. Grade outliers individually.
Output is separate files, not one video
By designBatch grading produces one .mp4 per clip; it does not merge them. To assemble the project into a single file, run the graded clips through video-merger — same-codec clips concat quickly via stream copy.
Each clip keeps its own audio
PreservedEvery clip's audio is stream-copied with -c:a copy during its job, so each output keeps its original soundtrack bit-identical. The batch never mixes or alters audio across clips.
Cancelling mid-batch
CancelledIf you cancel during a run, clips already completed keep their output; remaining queued clips are marked cancelled and are not processed. Re-run with the rest if needed.
Mixed input formats in one batch
SupportedYou can mix MP4, MOV, MKV, etc. in the same batch — each is decoded by FFmpeg and all outputs are normalised to H.264 .mp4 at CRF 20. The shared grade applies regardless of source container.
One clip in the batch fails
ErrorIf a single clip fails to process (e.g. a corrupt file), that job is marked with an error and the batch continues with the rest. Only the failed clip is missing an output — re-add and retry it on its own.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply the same colour grade to several videos at once?
Drop in multiple clips. When more than one file is present the tool switches to batch mode, applying the same brightness/contrast/saturation/gamma to each clip and exporting one graded MP4 per file. Dial the look in on one clip first, then add the rest.
Does it automatically match the colour between my clips?
No. It applies identical fixed settings to every clip, which matches them well when they were shot under similar light. It is not an algorithm that reads each clip and auto-corrects it to a reference — that is why visibly different shots should be graded separately.
How many clips can I batch?
Free tier is 1 file (no batch). Pro allows 5 clips per batch, Pro+Media 50, and Developer unlimited. Each clip must also fit the per-file size cap for your tier.
Can I use different settings for different clips in one run?
No — a batch uses one shared set of four values for the whole queue. If one clip needs a different grade, leave it out and process it separately with the single-clip grader.
Do I get one combined video or separate files?
Separate files — one graded MP4 per input clip. To assemble them into a single video, run the graded clips through video-merger afterward.
Are my clips uploaded for batch processing?
No. Every clip is read and re-encoded in your browser via FFmpeg.wasm. Even a 50-file Pro+Media batch never leaves your machine.
Why is a large batch slow?
Clips are processed sequentially, and each is a full eq + libx264 CRF 20 re-encode running on your CPU. A big set or long clips therefore take time. Keep the tab focused; progress shows per job.
Does each clip keep its own audio?
Yes. Each clip's audio is stream-copied with -c:a copy during its job, so every output keeps its original soundtrack unchanged. Audio is never mixed across clips.
Can I mix MP4, MOV, and MKV in one batch?
Yes. You can mix containers; each is decoded by FFmpeg and all outputs are normalised to H.264 .mp4 at CRF 20 with the shared grade applied.
What happens if one clip fails?
That job is marked with an error and the batch continues with the remaining clips. Only the failed clip lacks an output — re-add and retry it individually.
Can I cancel a batch partway through?
Yes. Already-completed clips keep their outputs; remaining queued clips are marked cancelled. Re-run with the rest when you are ready.
How do I reuse the same look on a later set of clips?
The grade is just four numbers, so note them and type the same values for a future batch from the same shoot. This keeps a series visually consistent across episodes.
Privacy first
Every JAD Video tool runs entirely in your browser via WebCodecs and FFmpeg (WebAssembly). Your video files never leave your device — verified by zero outbound network requests during processing.