# Free timelapse videos: cities, skies and nature > Free timelapse stock video: city lights, traffic trails, clouds, stars and nature compressed into seconds, with frame rate, resolution and licence. 28 clips from 2 sources (Internet Archive 14, NASA Image and Video Library 14), updated 2026-10-28. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://video.shep.bot/search?q=timelapse&style=timelapse - Same search over the API: `curl "https://video.shep.bot/v1/search?q=timelapse&style=timelapse"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://video.shep.bot/v1/clips/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for commercial videos; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. "(editorial)" means people, insignia or brands appear without releases: not for ads. See https://video.shep.bot/docs/licences.md - Video is never re-hosted: posters, previews and downloads come straight from the source sites. ## Time, compressed Timelapses turn slow change into motion: traffic becomes streams of light, a day passes over a skyline, stars wheel overhead, a flower opens. They are the classic opener and transition, and a good background under titles. ## Sources and quality Public archives hold timelapses from photographers and scientists alike. Wikimedia Commons has many city and sky timelapses under free licences; NASA has Earth seen from the International Space Station as timelapse sequences, credited to NASA. Check for flicker and a steady frame, and the frame rate if you mix them with live footage. Every card shows resolution, length and the licence verdict, and plays its preview on hover straight from the source. ## Clips | Clip | id | What | Source | Licence | Commercial use | Direct download | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Artemis I Stacking Timelapse Compiled](https://images.nasa.gov/details/Artemis%20I%20Stacking%20Timelapse%20Compiled) | `nasa:Artemis I Stacking Timelapse Compiled` | Launches & missions, Timelapse, 2021 | NASA Image and Video Library | NASA media (public domain in the US) | Commercial use OK with credit (editorial) | yes | | [Calgary, Vancouver Timelapse](https://archive.org/details/TimeLapse) | `internetarchive:TimeLapse` | Streets & traffic, Timelapse, 2:00, 2000 | Internet Archive | CC BY-SA 2.0 | Restricted: read the conditions (editorial) | yes | | [Artemis 1 Rollout - 360 Timelapse](https://images.nasa.gov/details/KSC-20220808-MH-FMX02-Artemis1_Rollout_VAB_360-TIMELAPSE-WON_3311944) | `nasa:KSC-20220808-MH-FMX02-Artemis1_Rollout_VAB_360-TIMELAPSE-WON_3311944` | Launches & missions, Timelapse, 2022 | NASA Image and Video Library | NASA media (public domain in the US) | Commercial use OK with credit (editorial) | yes | | [Booster Stacking Practice on Mobile Launcher Timelapse](https://images.nasa.gov/details/KSC-20200915-MH-KLS01_0001-Booster_Stacking_Practice_on_Mobile_Launcher_Timelapse-3245880) | `nasa:KSC-20200915-MH-KLS01_0001-Booster_Stacking_Practice_on_Mobile_Launcher_Timelapse-3245880` | Launches & missions, Timelapse, 2020 | NASA Image and Video Library | NASA media (public domain in the US) | Commercial use OK with credit (editorial) | yes | | [Stock-Timelapse-London-Tube-200607](https://archive.org/details/Stock-Timelapse-London-Tube-200607) | `internetarchive:Stock-Timelapse-London-Tube-200607` | Transport, Timelapse, 2006 | Internet Archive | CC BY-SA 2.5 | Restricted: read the conditions (editorial) | yes | | [Stock Footage - Timelapse Lunar Eclipse](https://archive.org/details/IMB_SF_C1) | `internetarchive:IMB_SF_C1` | Sun, moon & planets, Timelapse, 2006 | Internet Archive | CC BY 2.5 | Unclear: check the terms (editorial) | yes | | [Artemis II SRB Rollover and Lift Timelapse](https://images.nasa.gov/details/KSC-20250127-MH-FMX01-0001-Artemis_II_SRB_Rollover_and_Lift_Timelapse-M10348) | `nasa:KSC-20250127-MH-FMX01-0001-Artemis_II_SRB_Rollover_and_Lift_Timelapse-M10348` | Launches & missions, Timelapse, 2025 | NASA Image and Video Library | NASA media (public domain in the US) | Commercial use OK with credit (editorial) | yes | | [Artemis II Stacking - Booster Segment Transport from RPSF to VAB - Timelapse](https://images.nasa.gov/details/KSC-20241121-MH-FMX01-0001-Artemis-II-Stacking_2nd_Booster_Rollover_to_VAB-M10348_) | `nasa:KSC-20241121-MH-FMX01-0001-Artemis-II-Stacking_2nd_Booster_Rollover_to_VAB-M10348_` | Launches & missions, Timelapse, 2024 | NASA Image and Video Library | NASA media (public domain in the US) | Commercial use OK with credit (editorial) | yes | | [Stock - Walmart - Timelapse](https://archive.org/details/Stock-Walmart-Timelapse) | `internetarchive:Stock-Walmart-Timelapse` | Newsreels & documentary, Timelapse, 12:00, 2005 | Internet Archive | CC BY-SA 2.5 | Restricted: read the conditions (editorial) | yes | | [Artemis II Orion DD250 Pre-Set for Roll to MPPF Timelapse](https://images.nasa.gov/details/KSC-20250502-MH-FMX01-Artemis_II_Orion_DD250_Pre-Set_for_Roll_to_MPPF_Timelapse-WON_M13985) | `nasa:KSC-20250502-MH-FMX01-Artemis_II_Orion_DD250_Pre-Set_for_Roll_to_MPPF_Timelapse-WON_M13985` | Launches & missions, Timelapse, 2025 | NASA Image and Video Library | NASA media (public domain in the US) | Commercial use OK with credit (editorial) | yes | | [2007-10-13 Stock - House Demolition - Timelapse](https://archive.org/details/20071013-Stock-House-Demolition-Timelapse) | `internetarchive:20071013-Stock-House-Demolition-Timelapse` | Other, Timelapse, 2007 | Internet Archive | CC BY-SA 3.0 | Restricted: read the conditions (editorial) | yes | | [LVSA Arrival Timelapse](https://images.nasa.gov/details/KSC-20240907-MH-CMS01_0001-LVSA_Arrival_Timelapse-M8898) | `nasa:KSC-20240907-MH-CMS01_0001-LVSA_Arrival_Timelapse-M8898` | Launches & missions, Timelapse, 2024 | NASA Image and Video Library | NASA media (public domain in the US) | Commercial use OK with credit (editorial) | yes | | [Stock - Cambrian House - Don Tapscott Audience - Timelapse](https://archive.org/details/CambrianHouse-DonTapscott-Audience-Stock-Timelapse) | `internetarchive:CambrianHouse-DonTapscott-Audience-Stock-Timelapse` | Work & business, Timelapse, 2007 | Internet Archive | CC BY-SA 3.0 | Restricted: read the conditions (editorial) | yes | | [Orion Transport to MPPF - TIMELAPSE](https://images.nasa.gov/details/KSC-20210116-MH-CSH03_0001-Orion_Transport_to_MPPF-3266953) | `nasa:KSC-20210116-MH-CSH03_0001-Orion_Transport_to_MPPF-3266953` | Launches & missions, Timelapse, 2021 | NASA Image and Video Library | NASA media (public domain in the US) | Commercial use OK with credit (editorial) | yes | | [Milky Way Timelapse HD](https://archive.org/details/MilkyWayTimelapseHd) | `internetarchive:MilkyWayTimelapseHd` | Space, Timelapse, 0:04 | Internet Archive | CC BY 3.0 | Unclear: check the terms (editorial) | yes | | [Artemis I Rollout for Launch - TIMELAPSE](https://images.nasa.gov/details/KSC-20220816-MH-FMX01-0001-Artemis_1_Rollout_for_Launch_TIMELAPSE-3311906) | `nasa:KSC-20220816-MH-FMX01-0001-Artemis_1_Rollout_for_Launch_TIMELAPSE-3311906` | Launches & missions, Timelapse, 2022 | NASA Image and Video Library | NASA media (public domain in the US) | Commercial use OK with credit (editorial) | yes | | [Close Falls Timelapse (Royalty Free Stock Video)](https://archive.org/details/CloseFallsTimelapseroyaltyFreeStockVideo) | `internetarchive:CloseFallsTimelapseroyaltyFreeStockVideo` | Rivers & rain, Timelapse, 0:30 | Internet Archive | CC BY 3.0 | Unclear: check the terms (editorial) | yes | | [Old KSC Headquarter's Destruction Timelapse](https://images.nasa.gov/details/KSC-20210827-MH-KLS01-0001-KSC_HQs_Deconstruction-3274580) | `nasa:KSC-20210827-MH-KLS01-0001-KSC_HQs_Deconstruction-3274580` | Space, Timelapse, 2021 | NASA Image and Video Library | NASA media (public domain in the US) | Commercial use OK with credit (editorial) | yes | | [Timelapse_ocean](https://archive.org/details/Timelapse_ocean) | `internetarchive:Timelapse_ocean` | Ocean & beach, Timelapse, 0:15 | Internet Archive | CC BY 3.0 | Unclear: check the terms (editorial) | yes | | [Tahkenitch Lake Timelapse](https://archive.org/details/TahkenitchLakeTimelapse) | `internetarchive:TahkenitchLakeTimelapse` | Rivers & rain, Timelapse, 0:35 | Internet Archive | CC BY 3.0 | Unclear: check the terms (editorial) | yes | | [Artemis II Mission Patch On VAB Timelapse](https://images.nasa.gov/details/KSC-20250404-RV-FMX01-Artemis_II_Mission_Patch_Timelapse-WON_M13165) | `nasa:KSC-20250404-RV-FMX01-Artemis_II_Mission_Patch_Timelapse-WON_M13165` | Launches & missions, Timelapse, 2025 | NASA Image and Video Library | NASA media (public domain in the US) | Commercial use OK with credit (editorial) | yes | | [Electromagnetic Field 2018 Timelapse](https://archive.org/details/emfcamp_2018_timelapse) | `internetarchive:emfcamp_2018_timelapse` | Other, Timelapse, 2018 | Internet Archive | CC BY 4.0 | Unclear: check the terms (editorial) | yes | | [Artemis II Stacking - Booster Segment Lift - Timelapse](https://images.nasa.gov/details/KSC-20241120-MH-FMX01-0001-Artemis-II-Stacking-Booster_Lift_in_VAB-M10348) | `nasa:KSC-20241120-MH-FMX01-0001-Artemis-II-Stacking-Booster_Lift_in_VAB-M10348` | Launches & missions, Timelapse, 2024 | NASA Image and Video Library | NASA media (public domain in the US) | Commercial use OK with credit (editorial) | yes | | [Cloud To Cloud Lightning CGI & Timelapse (Wide Screen)](https://archive.org/details/CEP238) | `internetarchive:CEP238` | Sky & clouds, Timelapse, Animation / CG, 2007 | Internet Archive | Public domain | Unclear: check the terms (editorial) | yes | | [Artemis III crew training and SLS booster timelapse](https://images.nasa.gov/details/B%20roll%20crew%20training%20and%20booster%20stacking%20-%20updated) | `nasa:B roll crew training and booster stacking - updated` | Launches & missions, Timelapse, 2026 | NASA Image and Video Library | NASA media (public domain in the US) | Commercial use OK with credit (editorial) | yes | | [2000-02-06 Stock - House Demolition - Timelapse](https://archive.org/details/20000206-Stock-House-Demolition-Timelapse) | `internetarchive:20000206-Stock-House-Demolition-Timelapse` | Other, Timelapse, 2000 | Internet Archive | CC BY-SA 3.0 | Restricted: read the conditions (editorial) | yes | | [Artemis I - Orion Moves to the Launch Abort System Facility (LASF) - TIMELAPSE](https://images.nasa.gov/details/KSC-20210710-MH-CSH01-0001-Orion_Move_to_LASF_TIMELAPSE-3279376) | `nasa:KSC-20210710-MH-CSH01-0001-Orion_Move_to_LASF_TIMELAPSE-3279376` | Launches & missions, Timelapse, 2021 | NASA Image and Video Library | NASA media (public domain in the US) | Commercial use OK with credit (editorial) | yes | | [Sea Anemone Timelapse](https://archive.org/details/SeaAnemoneTimelapse) | `internetarchive:SeaAnemoneTimelapse` | Ocean & beach, Timelapse, 0:50 | Internet Archive | CC BY 3.0 | Unclear: check the terms (editorial) | yes | ## Questions **What is the difference between a timelapse and a hyperlapse?** A timelapse is shot from a fixed point at a low frame rate and played back at normal speed. A hyperlapse moves the camera between frames, so the viewpoint travels as time races. **Can timelapses be used commercially?** When the licence allows it and no identifiable people or brands are featured. Timelapses blur crowds into motion, which often makes them safer than real-time street footage. ## Related collections - [Free cloud timelapses: skies, storms and sunsets](https://video.shep.bot/footage/free-cloud-timelapses.md): Free cloud and sky timelapse videos: racing clouds, sunsets, storms and fog for intros, transitions and backgrounds, with resolution and licence. - [Free city footage: skylines, streets and traffic](https://video.shep.bot/footage/free-city-footage.md): Free city stock video: skylines, streets, traffic and night lights from open archives, with editorial flags where people and brands appear without releases. - [Free motion backgrounds and abstract loops](https://video.shep.bot/footage/free-motion-backgrounds.md): Free motion backgrounds: abstract animations, particles, gradients and data-driven loops for titles, slides, stage screens and websites. - [Free 4K nature footage: landscapes and skies](https://video.shep.bot/footage/free-4k-nature-footage.md): Free 4K nature stock video only: landscapes, skies, oceans, forests and Earth from orbit at 2160p or more, with direct downloads and licence verdicts. --- Source: https://video.shep.bot/footage/free-timelapse-videos