What is Runway Gen-4?

Runway Gen-4 is an image-to-video model. It uses a starting image and a text prompt to generate a moving scene. You can use Gen-4 inside VideoGen and edit its clips into a complete video.

What are the key features of Runway Gen-4?

Gen-4 generates 5- or 10-second clips from an image and motion prompt. It supports several aspect ratios at 24 fps. The image sets the opening composition while the prompt directs the movement.

Does Runway Gen-4 support start and end frames?

Gen-4 uses an input image as the starting frame. Its standard generation mode does not take a separate end-frame image. Plan around the opening frame and describe the motion you want.

Does Runway Gen-4 have Motion Brush?

Gen-4 uses a starting image and a text prompt rather than a Motion Brush control. Describe the subject action and camera movement to direct the clip.

How do I prompt Runway Gen-4?

Use the image to establish what the scene looks like. Keep the text focused on motion, such as a camera tracking the product or a subject turning toward it. Review the result before adding more actions.

Runway Gen-4 vs Gen-4.5: which should I use?

Use Gen-4 when you want to animate a prepared image. Consider Gen-4.5 when you want text-to-video or more detailed action and camera direction. Both are available in VideoGen.

Runway Gen-4 video generator

Turn a starting image into a moving scene with Runway Gen-4 in VideoGen. Direct the motion, arrange your shots, and finish a video around your product.

Runway Gen-4Generate

All Runway models Runway Gen-3 Runway Gen-4.5

By Runway · Image-led video generation for controlled starting frames

Trusted by over 5 million creators and teams

Explore Gen-4 video examples

World consistency

Motion and physics

Scene breakdown

How VideoGen integrates Runway Gen-4

Model specifications for Runway Gen-4
Specification	Details
Input types	Image and text prompt
Clip duration	5 or 10 seconds
Frame rate	24 fps
Aspect ratios	16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3, 3:4, 21:9
Elo Benchmark	Unknown

Quality tiers in VideoGen

Low: The fastest and most affordable tier, built for drafts and quick iteration.
Standard: The balanced default: good quality video clips at an everyday cost.
High: Premium quality video clips for the content you publish.
Max: Our highest quality tier for detailed, polished video clips.

Use Runway Gen-4 directly in VideoGen to create video clips. Choose a quality tier, generate your content, and add it to a finished video in the same project.

Get started

How to use Runway Gen-4 in VideoGen

Create a free account

Open a workflow

Start the storyboard to video or prompt to video workflow, or use the AI video tool inside any project.

Pick a quality tier or type a prompt

Choose the tier that fits your needs and describe what you want to create.

Generate and build your video

VideoGen builds the finished video with visuals, narration, and captions, ready to export.

Runway Gen-4 API

Developers can generate video clips through the VideoGen API with the same quality tier routing as the app, so requests reach models like Runway Gen-4 without managing provider keys.

curl -X POST "https://api.videogen.io/v1/tools/generate-video-clip" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $VIDEOGEN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"prompt": "A drone shot over a coastal town at sunrise", "durationSeconds": 8}'

Learn more about the VideoGen API Read the API docs

Start with the frame you want

Use an image to set the subject, light, and composition. Describe the movement you want Gen-4 to add to the scene.

Use Runway Gen-4

Bring a product image into motion: Start with a product shot that shows the details clearly. Add a restrained camera move or subject action, then check the result against the original image.
Plan each shot in your storyboard: Choose an opening image for each scene. Keep the product and visual direction clear as you build a sequence of related shots.
Make the clip part of a campaign: Combine Gen-4 shots with product footage in VideoGen. Add the voiceover, music, captions, and final message your video needs.

Find your ideal workflow

Storyboard to videoBuild it shot by shot

ChatGPTMake a video in the chat

Video to videoRestyle a video you already have

PremiereFinish the edit in Premiere

Script to videoStart from a written script

Video editorStart with a blank editor

APICreate custom integrations

Voiceover to videoStart from a voiceover

AutomationsRun it from Zapier

Slides to videoTurn a deck into a video

“VideoGen solves the biggest pain points of video production—complexity, cost, and time. In just a few clicks, anyone can create professional, copyright-free videos.”

Garry Tan

CEO of Y Combinator

“VideoGen is the most underrated tool for content creators who want to put out the highest quality content in the shortest amount of time.”

Andrew Yu

6M+ Followers

Frequently asked questions

Create your next video with Runway in VideoGen

Generate your shots, then finish the story with voiceover, music, and captions.