How to Make AI Videos from Text: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

From Text to Video: The AI Revolution in Content Creation

What if you could describe a scene in plain English and watch it come to life as a video? That's no longer science fiction—it's what text-to-video AI delivers today.

Whether you're a content creator, marketer, or just someone with a great idea, this guide will show you exactly how to turn your text into professional-quality videos—step by step.

Quick Start: Text-to-Video in 5 Minutes

Don't have time for the full guide? Here's the fastest path to your first AI video:

1. Go to Canva or VEED.IO
2. Find the AI Video Generator / Text-to-Video feature
3. Type your idea: "A golden retriever running through autumn leaves in slow motion"
4. Click Generate
5. Download your video

That's it. You just made your first AI video from text.

Now let's dive deeper into how to get professional-quality results.

Best Text-to-Video AI Tools in 2026

Step 1: Choose the Right Tool for Your Needs

My Recommendations by Use Case

Step 2: Write Prompts That Actually Work

Here's the secret most tutorials won't tell you: your prompt is 80% of the result.

Bad vs Good Prompts

❌ Bad Prompt:

✅ Good Prompt:

Prompt Templates You Can Copy

For Product Videos:

A [product] rotating slowly on a [surface color] surface, soft
studio lighting, clean white background, macro lens detail
shots, professional product photography style, 4K quality

For Cinematic Scenes:

[Subject description] in [location], [time of day], [weather],
[camera movement] shot, [lighting style], [film style] aesthetic,
dramatic composition

For Social Media:

[Subject] doing [action], vibrant colors, dynamic movement,
vertical format, TikTok style, fast-paced cuts, trendy
aesthetic, eye-catching

Step 3: Generate Your Video (Kling AI Tutorial)

Let's create a video together using Kling AI since it offers the most generous free tier.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Sign Up — Go to klingai.com, create free account, get 66 daily credits
2. Write Prompt — Enter your description using the formula above
3. Configure — Select duration (5-10s), choose aspect ratio, adjust creativity level
4. Generate — Click "Generate", wait 2-5 minutes, download result

Example Prompt for Kling AI

Common Settings Explained

Step 4: Refine and Perfect Your Video

First generation rarely perfect? That's normal. Here's how to iterate:

Problem → Solution

Advanced Technique: Image-to-Video

Want even more control? Start with an image:

1. Create or find a starting image
2. Upload to tools like Kling, Runway, or Luma
3. Describe the motion you want
4. Generate — AI animates your exact starting point

Real-World Workflows

Social Media Content Creator

1. Brainstorm 5 video ideas
2. Write prompts for each using templates
3. Generate on Kling AI (free daily credits)
4. Pick best 2 results
5. Edit in CapCut (add music, text)
6. Export and post

Time: 30 minutes for 2 videos

Marketing Team

1. Brief: Define message and target
2. Script: Write key scenes
3. Generate: Use Canva AI or VEED
4. Review: Team feedback
5. Iterate: Refine prompts
6. Final: Export watermark-free

Time: 2-3 hours for polished ad

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Free vs Paid: What's Worth Paying For?

Free Tier is Enough If...

• Personal projects / learning
• Social media (watermarks okay)
• Low volume (few videos/week)

Upgrade When...

• Commercial use / client work
• Need watermark-free exports
• High volume / fast turnaround

For Sora 2 quality without $200/mo ChatGPT Pro: sorasy.com offers pay-per-use access.

Latest 2025/2026 Updates

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to generate an AI video from text?

Most tools generate 5-second clips in 2-5 minutes. Longer or higher-quality videos can take 10-15 minutes. Luma Dream Machine is fastest at under 60 seconds.

Can I use AI-generated videos commercially?

Yes, but check each tool's terms. Most paid tiers allow commercial use. Free tiers often have restrictions or require attribution.

What's the best free text-to-video AI?

Kling AI offers the most generous free tier (66 credits daily). For no-watermark exports, Canva and CapCut are best.

Which AI video generator is closest to Sora 2?

Kling 2.1 and Veo 3 produce similar quality. For actual Sora 2 access at lower cost, platforms like sorasy.com provide pay-per-use options.

Your Action Plan

Related Resources

Last updated: December 2025. AI video tools evolve quickly—I test and update this guide regularly.

Want professional-quality AI videos without restrictions? Try sorasy.com for Sora 2 access at accessible prices.