On any Thinkific plan, we'll host your video content for you. How to add a video to a lesson depends on which course builder you are using. In the New Course Builder, video is added as a content block within a lesson. In the Classic Course Builder, video is its own lesson type.
If your site was created on or after January 28, 2026, you have access to the new course builder, in addition to the classic course builder. Learn about new features, improvements, and how to try it out: Introducing Thinkific's New Course Builder
How to Add a Video in the New Course Builder
In the New Course Builder, lessons are a blank canvas — there are no separate lesson types. You can add video, text, images, and other content directly within a single lesson.
- In your lesson, select Video from the content menu on the right-hand side.
- Drag and drop your video file, or browse and select it from your device.
Supported file types: .mp4, .mov, .m4v (max file size 2GB).
To replace a video, hover over it, click Replace, then follow the steps above.
To view or edit the video's settings, click Video settings from the block's menu.
Videos you upload are added to your Video Library automatically. Video Library access is not yet available in the New Course Builder — videos must be uploaded directly in lessons. Pasting links to externally hosted videos is not yet supported.
How to Add a Video Lesson in the Classic Course Builder
In the Classic Course Builder, video content is added as a dedicated Video lesson type.
- From your Admin Dashboard, select Products.
- Select Courses.
- Select the course you want to edit by clicking on the course card image.
- On the left-hand side, click Add Lesson.
- Select Video.
- Enter a name under Lesson Title.
- Check off any desired Lesson settings.
- Under Choose a video, select a video from your Video Library, Drag & drop a video file, or Select file to choose a file from your computer.
- (Optional) Add text to appear beneath the video in the Course Player.
- (Optional) Add downloads to attach files for students.
- Click Save.
When you first upload a video, it will take some time to process. If you see an error when previewing your course, check your Video Library for the current processing status. All videos are added to your Video Library regardless of where they were originally uploaded.
How to Convert a Text Lesson Into a Video Lesson
You can convert an existing Text Lesson into a Video Lesson by uploading a video directly from the lesson editor. This option is only available in the Classic Course Builder.
- From your Admin Dashboard, select Products.
- Select Courses.
- Select the course you want to edit by clicking on the course card image.
- On the left-hand side, click on the Text Lesson you want to convert.
- Next to "Video" at the top of the lesson, click Upload file.
- Drag and drop your video, or click to locate it on your computer.
- Click Upload.
Once the video has finished uploading, the Text Lesson is automatically converted into a Video Lesson. Any text in the lesson editor will remain under the Add text section and can continue to be edited.
Important Considerations
- All Thinkific plans have a monthly bandwidth limit on videos. Learn more: Understanding Video Bandwidth Limits.
- There is a 2GB file size limit per video in both builders.
- Adding text and downloads to a video lesson is not available in the Legacy Course Player. See how to update your Course Player.
Related Articles
- Learn more: Recommended Specs for Exporting Videos
- Learn more: Understanding Video Bandwidth Limits
- Learn more: Video Library
- Learn more: Content Uploader
- Related: How to Add Text to Your Video Lesson
- Related: How to Add Downloads to Your Video Lesson
- Related: Video Lesson Autoplay
- Related: Video Completion Required
- Related: Add Closed Caption to Your Videos
- Related: Allow Students to Download Videos to Watch Offline
- Related: Enhance Video Security with the Private Setting
- Related: Change the Color of Your Video Player
- Related: Remove the Video Play-Bar
- Related: Video Troubleshooting Guide
- Related: Why does my video take so long to upload?
- Related: Why doesn't my video show all resolution options?
- Related: How do I reduce the size of my videos?