> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.magichour.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Face Swap Video Tool - Magic Hour Docs

> Replace faces in videos with frame-by-frame precision and temporal consistency.

export const ToolSection = ({type = "image", outputs = [], title = "", productSlug = "", apiSlug = ""}) => <>
    {outputs && outputs.length > 0 && <Tabs>
        {outputs.map((output, idx) => <Tab key={idx} title={`Example Output ${idx + 1}`}>
            <Frame>
              {type === "video" ? <video controls preload="metadata" playsInline className="rounded-lg h-80" src={`${output.src}#t=0.001`} type={`${output.src?.endsWith("mp4") ? 'video/mp4' : "video/webm"}`}>
                </video> : type === "audio" ? <audio controls preload="metadata" className="w-full" src={output.src}>
                  Your browser does not support the audio element.
                </audio> : <img height="320" className="rounded-lg h-80" src={output.src} />}
            </Frame>
          </Tab>)}
      </Tabs>}

    <CardGroup cols={2}>
      <Card title="API Spec" icon="webhook" horizontal href={`/api-reference/${type}-projects/${apiSlug}`}>
        See API details
      </Card>
      <Card title="Product Page" icon="video" horizontal href={`https://magichour.ai/products/${productSlug}`}>
        Learn more about {title}
      </Card>
    </CardGroup>

  </>;

## Overview

Face Swap Video replaces faces in videos with frame-by-frame precision and temporal consistency. The API swaps faces throughout video sequences while maintaining natural expressions, head movements, and lighting for realistic results.

<ToolSection
  title="Face Swap Video"
  productSlug="face-swap?mode=video"
  apiSlug="face-swap-video"
  type="video"
  outputs={[
{
  src: "https://videos.magichour.ai/clttqdcuq000fqp36h8i8bapl/video.mp4",
},
{
  src: "https://videos.magichour.ai/cltw1ygmc0027rck4x1lrmrqs/video.mp4",
},
]}
/>

## How It Works

1. **Provide a source face** - Upload an image containing the face you want to use
2. **Provide a target video** - Upload the video where you want to swap the face
3. **Set start/end times** - Define which portion of the video to process
4. **API processes frame-by-frame** - AI swaps the face consistently across all frames
5. **Download the result** - Retrieve your face-swapped video

## Use Cases

* **Entertainment content** - Create viral videos and memes
* **Privacy protection** - Anonymize individuals in video content
* **Film and media** - Character replacement in post-production
* **Personalized experiences** - Custom video messages and greetings
* **Marketing** - Create personalized ad experiences

## Best Practices

### Source Face Image

<Tip>
  **Use a clear, high-quality face photo** - The better your source image, the better the swap
  quality.
</Tip>

* **Front-facing or slight angle** - Avoid extreme profile shots
* **Good lighting** - Even lighting with no harsh shadows
* **High resolution** - At least 512x512 pixels for the face area
* **Neutral expression** - Works best for most video expressions
* **No obstructions** - Avoid sunglasses, masks, or hair covering face

### Target Video Requirements

* **Clear face visibility** - Face should be clearly visible in the video
* **Stable lighting** - Consistent lighting throughout produces best results
* **One primary face** - Works best when targeting a single person
* **Moderate motion** - Extreme head movements may affect quality

### Video Segment Selection

| Factor     | Recommendation                              |
| :--------- | :------------------------------------------ |
| Duration   | Start with 5-10 seconds to test quality     |
| Face size  | Larger faces in frame = better results      |
| Motion     | Moderate movement works best                |
| Occlusions | Avoid frames where face is partially hidden |

## Code Examples

### Basic Face Swap

<CodeGroup>
  ```python Python theme={null}
  from magic_hour import Client
  import os

  client = Client(token=os.getenv("MAGIC_HOUR_API_KEY"))

  result = client.v1.face_swap.generate(
      assets={
          "image_file_path": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/runshouse/Sample_Assets/main/tomcruise.png",
          "video_file_path": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/runshouse/Sample_Assets/main/obamamicdrop.mov",
          "video_source": "file"
      },
      start_seconds=0,
      end_seconds=2,
      name="Tom Cruise Face Swap",
      wait_for_completion=True,
      download_outputs=True,
      download_directory="."
  )

  if result.status == "complete":
      print(f"✅ Face swap complete!")
      print(f"Downloaded to: {result.downloaded_paths}")
      print(f"Credits charged: {result.credits_charged}")
  else:
      print(f"❌ Job failed with status: {result.status}")
      if hasattr(result, 'error_message'):
          print(f"Error: {result.error_message}")
  ```

  ```javascript Node.js theme={null}
  import { Client } from "magic-hour";

  const client = new Client({ token: process.env.MAGIC_HOUR_API_KEY });

  const result = await client.v1.faceSwap.generate({
    assets: {
      imageFilePath: "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/runshouse/Sample_Assets/main/tomcruise.png",
      videoFilePath:
        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/runshouse/Sample_Assets/main/obamamicdrop.mov",
      videoSource: "file",
    },
    startSeconds: 0,
    endSeconds: 2,
    name: "Tom Cruise Face Swap",
    waitForCompletion: true,
    downloadOutputs: true,
    downloadDirectory: ".",
  });

  console.log(`✅ Face swap complete!`);
  console.log(`Status: ${result.status}`);
  console.log(`Downloaded to: ${result.downloadedPaths}`);
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Pricing

Face Swap Video uses credits based on video duration and frame rate:

| Factor     | Impact                      |
| :--------- | :-------------------------- |
| Duration   | More seconds = more credits |
| Frame rate | Higher FPS = more credits   |
| Resolution | Affects quality, not cost   |

**Example:** A 10-second video at 30 FPS ≈ 300 credits

## Error Handling

Common error codes:

| Error Code            | Description                      | Solution                           |
| :-------------------- | :------------------------------- | :--------------------------------- |
| `no_source_face`      | No face detected in source image | Use image with clear, visible face |
| `no_target_face`      | No face detected in target video | Ensure face is visible in video    |
| `invalid_file_format` | Unsupported file format          | Use MP4, MOV, or WEBM for video    |

<Tip>
  **Try this in our Google Colab Cookbook:** [Run this API with sample
  code](https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1NTHL_lr_s-qBJ-mSecSXPzRLi9_V5JiU?usp=sharing). Just
  add your API key.
</Tip>

## API Reference

<Card title="Face Swap Video API Reference" icon="webhook" href="/api-reference/video-projects/face-swap-video">
  View full API specification
</Card>

## Related Tools

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Face Swap Photo" icon="image" href="/tools/image/face-swap-photo">
    Swap faces in static images
  </Card>

  <Card title="Lip Sync" icon="lips" href="/tools/video/lip-sync">
    Sync audio with video lip movements
  </Card>
</CardGroup>