How to Use Synthesia Step by Step: A Beginner’s Guide (2026)

Hey there! I’m Hana, and if you’ve been curious about AI video creation tools, you are in exactly the right place. I remember the first time I stumbled across Synthesia — I was completely blown away. Like, you mean to tell me I can create professional-looking videos with a realistic AI avatar, just by typing a script? No camera, no microphone, no awkward lighting setup in my apartment? Yes, please.

Whether you’re a small business owner, a content creator, an educator, or just someone who wants to make slick videos without spending thousands on production, Synthesia is genuinely one of the coolest tools available right now in 2026. In this guide, I’m going to walk you through exactly how to use Synthesia step by step so you can go from total beginner to publishing your first AI video today.

Let’s dive in!

What Is Synthesia and Why Should You Care?

Before we get into the step-by-step stuff, let me give you a quick rundown. Synthesia is an AI-powered video generation platform that lets you create videos using realistic AI avatars and text-to-speech technology. You basically write a script, pick an avatar, choose a background, and boom — Synthesia generates a fully rendered video for you in minutes.

In 2026, Synthesia has grown massively. They now offer over 230 AI avatars, support for 140+ languages, and a super intuitive drag-and-drop editor. It’s used by companies like Google, Reuters, and Zoom for training videos, marketing content, and internal communications. But honestly? It’s just as useful for solo creators like me.

If you’re interested in exploring more AI voice and speech tools alongside Synthesia, I also wrote a detailed breakdown over here: Best AI Text-to-Speech Tool in 2026 – ElevenLabs Review. It pairs really nicely with what we’re covering today.

Step 1: Create Your Synthesia Account

Okay, first things first — you need an account. Head over to Synthesia’s official website and sign up. They offer a free plan that lets you create a limited number of videos, which is perfect for testing things out before committing to a paid plan.

Here’s what to do:

• Go to the Synthesia website and click “Get Started Free”
• Sign up using your Google account or email address
• Verify your email if prompted
• You’ll land on your dashboard — this is your creative home base!

The signup process takes less than two minutes. I love how clean and welcoming the dashboard feels. It doesn’t overwhelm you with a million options right away, which is great if you’re just getting started.

Step 2: Start a New Video Project

Once you’re in your dashboard, it’s time to create your first video. Click the big “New Video” button. You’ll be given two main options:

• Start from a template: Synthesia offers tons of pre-built templates for things like training videos, product demos, explainer videos, and more. This is the fastest way to get something professional looking.
• Start from scratch: If you have a specific vision in mind or want full control from the very beginning, this is your go-to.

For absolute beginners, I always recommend starting with a template. It takes the guesswork out of layout and design so you can focus on your content. You can always customize everything later.

Step 3: Choose Your AI Avatar

This is honestly one of my favorite parts. Synthesia has an incredible library of AI avatars — diverse, professional, and incredibly realistic. You can filter avatars by gender, age, ethnicity, and style (casual, business, etc.).

Here’s how to choose one:

• In the video editor, click on the avatar panel on the left side
• Browse through the available avatars or use the search bar
• Click on any avatar to preview how they look and move
• Select the one that fits your brand or content style

Pro tip from me: if you’re making professional or educational content, go for a business-style avatar. If your content is more casual or social-media-friendly, a conversational avatar in casual clothes tends to feel more relatable to viewers.

In 2026, Synthesia also lets some higher-tier plan users create a custom AI avatar that looks like you. That feature is next-level for personal branding.

Step 4: Write or Paste Your Script

Now for the heart of your video — the script. This is where your AI avatar gets their words. In the text box on the editing screen, simply type or paste your script. The avatar will read exactly what you write, so make sure it sounds natural when spoken aloud.

A few tips I’ve learned from creating dozens of videos:

• Write in a conversational tone — avoid overly formal language unless your brand calls for it
• Keep sentences short and punchy for better pacing
• Use commas and periods to control the rhythm and natural pauses
• Preview the audio before finalizing — Synthesia lets you do this with a click
• Avoid using symbols or abbreviations the AI might mispronounce

Synthesia supports SSML (Speech Synthesis Markup Language) for advanced users who want even more control over pronunciation, emphasis, and speed. But honestly, for beginners, the default settings work beautifully.

Step 5: Select a Voice and Language

Once your script is ready, choose the voice for your avatar. Synthesia offers voices in over 140 languages, so whether you’re making content in English, Spanish, French, Japanese, or Arabic — they’ve got you covered.

To set the voice:

• Click on the voice settings option near the text editor
• Select your preferred language from the dropdown menu
• Browse the available voices within that language
• Hit the play button to preview each voice option
• Confirm your selection once you find the right fit

I personally love this feature because it means I can repurpose the same video for multiple markets just by switching the language — huge time saver!

Step 6: Customize Your Background and Layout

Now let’s make things look polished. Synthesia gives you plenty of background options including solid colors, branded templates, stock footage backgrounds, and even custom uploaded images or videos.

You can also add:

• Text overlays — great for highlighting key points
• Images and logos — upload your brand assets directly
• Screen recordings — perfect for tutorial-style videos
• Music — choose from their royalty-free library
• Transitions — smooth slides between scenes

The drag-and-drop interface is super intuitive. Even if design isn’t your strong suit (same, honestly), you can put together something that looks totally professional in under 30 minutes.

Step 7: Preview and Generate Your Video

Before you hit that generate button, always preview your video! Synthesia lets you do a quick preview so you can catch any awkward pauses, typos in your script, or design elements that don’t look quite right.

Once you’re happy with everything:

• Click the “Generate Video” button in the top right corner
• Wait a few minutes while Synthesia processes your video (usually 5–10 minutes depending on length)
• You’ll get an email notification when it’s done
• Download your video in MP4 format or share it directly via a link

That’s it — your AI-generated video is ready to go live on YouTube, LinkedIn, your website, or wherever your audience hangs out!

Tips to Get the Most Out of Synthesia

Now that you know the basics, here are a few extra tips I’ve picked up from using Synthesia regularly:

• Batch your videos: Create multiple scenes and string them together in one project instead of making separate videos
• Use it for onboarding: Training and onboarding videos are where Synthesia absolutely shines for businesses
• Repurpose content: Turn blog posts, newsletters, or slide decks into engaging video content with minimal effort
• A/B test your scripts: Make two versions of the same video with slightly different scripts to see which performs better
• Stay on brand: Upload your brand colors, fonts, and logo so every video feels consistent

Is Synthesia Worth It in 2026?

Honestly? Yes. If you’re creating any kind of digital content — whether for marketing, education, HR, or social media — Synthesia saves you an enormous amount of time and money. Traditional video production can cost thousands of dollars per video. With Synthesia, you can produce polished, professional content for a fraction of that cost.

The free plan is a great starting point, but if you’re serious about scaling your content, the paid plans unlock more avatars, more video minutes, custom avatars, and advanced features that are 100% worth it.

Ready to give it a shot? Start your free Synthesia account here and create your first AI video today. I promise once you try it, you won’t want to go back to traditional video production.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Synthesia free to use?

Yes! Synthesia offers a free plan that lets you create a limited number of videos to test the platform. It’s a great way to get familiar with the interface and features before upgrading to a paid plan. Paid plans start at a very reasonable monthly price and unlock more avatars, minutes, and customization options.

Do I need any video editing experience to use Synthesia?

Not at all! That’s genuinely one of the best things about Synthesia. The platform is designed to be beginner-friendly, with an intuitive drag-and-drop editor and ready-made templates. If you can type a script and click a few buttons, you can create a professional-quality video. No camera, no microphone, no prior video editing skills required.

Can Synthesia create videos in languages other than English?

Absolutely — and this is a massive advantage. As of 2026, Synthesia supports over 140 languages and accents, making it one of the most versatile AI video tools on the market. Whether you need content in Spanish, Mandarin, German, Hindi, or dozens of other languages, Synthesia can handle it. You can even create multiple language versions of the same video quickly by swapping out the script and voice settings.