A working map of what goes in and what comes out. Exact availability varies by licence tier and platform - the import and export panels only offer what your plan includes, and the definitive current list is on the Lightworks website.
Video containers (import)
Common wrappers are supported for import, including MP4, MOV, MXF, and AVI, along with transport streams and other consumer formats. Files that can't be played natively are converted automatically on import (see Importing media).
Video codecs
- Delivery codecs - H.264, H.265, AV1.
- Intermediate codecs - Apple ProRes, Avid DNxHD/DNxHR (DNxHD requires a separate licence), Cineform, uncompressed.
- Camera raw - RED R3D, Blackmagic RAW - with configurable decode settings on Pro (see Media formats and technical settings).
Still images and sequences
Standard image formats import as stills, and numbered image sequences import as clips. SVG files can be imported for mask shapes (see Masks and selective effects).
Audio
Common audio files (WAV and other standard formats) import directly; audio can also arrive inside any supported video wrapper. Export of audio-only deliverables uses WAV (stereo or mono tracks from the LR mix).
Export formats
- Media files - MP4 (default), MOV, MXF, AVI, WAV, and image sequences.
- Web and social - YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, TikTok, X, Instagram, Snapchat (see Web and social delivery).
- Interchange - AAF, OMF, EDL, XML, Reaper, Cut List, Subtitles (see Interchange with other applications).
- Archive - the Lightworks archive format (see Archiving and restoring work).
Licence-dependent capabilities
| Capability | Notes |
|---|---|
| Export codecs | Base: AV1, H.264. Higher tiers add H.265, ProRes, Cineform, Uncompressed, and others |
| 10-bit | Decode standard; 10-bit encode is tier-dependent |
| Colour spaces | Rec. 601/709 standard; 2020, PQ, HLG, P3, ACES2065-1 on higher tiers |
| 8K export | Available with ProRes, Cineform, DNxHR, AV1, H.265, and image sequences |
| Video plugins | OpenFX (tier-dependent) |
| Audio plugins | VST, AU, LADSPA (tier-dependent) |
Note: For the authoritative, current format list for your platform and plan, check the product pages at lwks.com - codecs and tiers evolve between releases.