Invert Video Luma Channel with FFmpeg lut Filter

This article explains how to invert only the luma (brightness) channel of a video using FFmpeg’s lut filter. You will learn the exact command-line syntax to achieve this effect, which reverses the light and dark areas of your footage while keeping the color (chroma) channels completely intact.

To invert only the luma channel of a YUV video, you should use the lutyuv filter (the YUV-specific variant of the lut filter). This allows you to manipulate the Y (luma) channel independently of the U and V (chroma) channels.

The FFmpeg Command

Run the following command in your terminal:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "lutyuv=y=255-val" -c:a copy output.mp4

How the Filter Works

• -vf "lutyuv=y=255-val": This calls the YUV Lookup Table filter.
• y=255-val: This is the core expression. val represents the original pixel value of the luma channel (which ranges from 0 to 255). By subtracting val from 255, FFmpeg inverts the brightness. A black pixel (0) becomes white (255), and a white pixel (255) becomes black (0).
• Chroma Channels (U and V): Because the u and v parameters are omitted from the filter expression, they default to their original values (u=val and v=val). This ensures the colors of the video are preserved while only the luminance is inverted.
• -c:a copy: This stream-copies the audio without re-encoding it, saving processing time and preserving audio quality.