Video Tools API
FreemiumGet video info, grab thumbnails, make storyboard contact sheets, extract audio (MP3/WAV/M4A) and convert clips to GIF.
Documentation
Get video info, grab thumbnails, make storyboard contact sheets, extract audio (MP3/WAV/M4A) and convert clips to GIF.
What you get
- Video info — duration, resolution, codecs, frame rate, bitrate
- Thumbnails at any time
- Contact sheets — a grid of frames across the video
- Extract audio as MP3, WAV or M4A
- GIF from any clip
- Send a file upload or a video URL (up to 50 MB)
Great for video platforms, CMS uploads, social media tools, course platforms and moderation.
Quick start
Subscribe to a plan (the Basic plan is free), then call the API at https://video-tools.p.apihiver.com with your key in the X-API-Key header:
curl -X POST "https://video-tools.p.apihiver.com/v1/info" \
-H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
-F file=@video.mp4Endpoints
| Method | Path | What it does |
|---|---|---|
POST | /v1/info | Video metadata: duration, resolution, codecs, bitrate, audio |
POST | /v1/thumbnail | Grab a frame from the video as a JPEG/PNG/WebP image |
POST | /v1/contact-sheet | A grid of evenly spaced frames in one image (storyboard / preview) |
POST | /v1/extract-audio | Extract the audio track as MP3 (or WAV / M4A) |
POST | /v1/to-gif | Turn a short clip of the video into an animated GIF |
Open the Endpoints tab to see every parameter, example request and example response, and to try the API live.
Sending a file
Endpoints that take a video accept any of:
- multipart/form-data with the video in the
filefield, plus options as form fields - JSON
{"url": "https://…"}pointing at a public video (private/internal addresses are refused) - JSON
{"base64": "…"}(adata:URL prefix is fine)
Max size: 50 MB. Files are processed in memory and never stored.
Errors
Every error is JSON with the same shape:
{"error": {"code": "INVALID_INPUT", "message": "Provide a file upload, 'url', or 'base64'."}}| HTTP | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | INVALID_INPUT | A parameter is missing or has the wrong format — the message says which |
| 401 | UNAUTHORIZED | Missing or invalid X-API-Key |
| 413 | TOO_LARGE | The file is over the size limit |
| 429 | — | Plan quota or rate limit reached (see the X-RateLimit-* headers) |
| 502 / 503 / 504 | — | A data source or the API server is temporarily unavailable — retry after a few seconds |
Data & privacy
Data comes from FFmpeg, running on our servers. Videos are not stored.
Video Tools API FAQ
- Is the Video Tools API free?
- Yes. The Basic plan is free and includes 50 requests per month — no card needed. Paid plans start at ₹499 per month for 2,000 requests.
- How much does the Video Tools API cost?
- Basic: free for 50 requests; Pro: ₹499/month for 2,000 requests; Ultra: ₹1,999/month for 10,000 requests; Mega: ₹4,999/month for 30,000 requests. Billing is monthly and you can cancel any time.
- How do I use the Video Tools API?
- Subscribe to a plan on APIHiver, create an API key in the Console, then send requests to https://video-tools.p.apihiver.com with your key in the X-API-Key header. You can also try every endpoint in the browser playground first.
- What endpoints does the Video Tools API have?
- It has 5 endpoints: Video metadata: duration, resolution, codecs, bitrate, audio (POST /v1/info); Grab a frame from the video as a JPEG/PNG/WebP image (POST /v1/thumbnail); A grid of evenly spaced frames in one image (storyboard / preview) (POST /v1/contact-sheet); Extract the audio track as MP3 (or WAV / M4A) (POST /v1/extract-audio); Turn a short clip of the video into an animated GIF (POST /v1/to-gif).
- What are the Video Tools API rate limits?
- Basic: 1 request per second; Pro: 2 requests per second; Ultra: 4 requests per second; Mega: 8 requests per second. Monthly quotas depend on the plan; every response includes X-RateLimit headers showing what's left.
- Can I use one API key for the Video Tools API and other APIs?
- Yes. One APIHiver key works for every API you subscribe to, so you don't need a separate account or key per provider.
Related APIs
Create QR codes for links, text, UPI payments, Wi-Fi logins and contact cards (PNG/SVG, custom colours) and read QR codes from images.
Extract text from images and scans in English, Hindi and Marathi, and pull out emails, phone numbers, URLs, PAN and GSTIN.
Generate EAN-13, UPC, Code 128, ISBN and other barcodes as PNG or SVG, read barcodes from images, and validate check digits.
Resize, crop, convert, rotate and compress images, add text watermarks, extract colour palettes and make placeholder images.
Remove image backgrounds in one call — transparent PNG/WebP cut-outs or a solid-colour background, from a file, URL or base64.
Endpoints
5 endpoints — full list is in the sidebar on larger screens.