How to Edit Videos on CapCut: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Guide

Quick Answer:

Step 1. Download and install CapCut:

Step 2. Start a new project

Step 3. Import your videos

Step 4. Trim and split clips:

Step 5. Adjust video speed

Step 6. Add music and sound effects

Step 7. Insert text and titles

Step 8. Apply effects and filters

Step 9. Add transitions between clips

Step 10. Export your video

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CapCut is a popular and easy-to-use video editing app that helps you create amazing videos from your phone or desktop. I have used it and I can say it’s worth the hype, no cap 🧢.

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What I love about CapCut is that both beginner and pro editors can use it to create stunning edits.

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In this guide, I will walk you through the various tools available in CapCut and show the steps of how to edit your video clips with the app. Without further ado, let’s dive in 💪.

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Getting Started with CapCut

Before you can use CapCut, first you need to download the app either on your mobile device or laptop. Since working with a computer gives better flexibility, I will be guiding you through how to download and install this software on your computer and get started with your editing. The process is mostly the same for both Windows.

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How to Download and Install CapCut

Search for “CapCut” on your browser and click on “Download for free” or “Download” from the homepage button.

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After downloading the app, install it on your computer, and you are ready to start editing videos with it.

How to Start a New Project in CapCut

After installing the software on your device, you can create a new project to start editing your videos. To start, click the New project button.

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This will take you to the editing interface, where you can familiarize yourself with all the available tools.

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How to Import Videos Into CapCut for Editing

To import videos into CapCut, you have to decide the source of the video.

Click on “Local” under the “Media” option
Then click on “Import”

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This will take you to files and folders on your device where you can select the clip(s) you want to import.

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After importing your videos they will appear at the upper left corner of your screen. Drag and drop the videos to the timeline located at the bottom.

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Note: the right side is for previewing your progress in real-time.

Basic Video Editing Techniques in CapCut

As a beginner, CapCut provides basic editing tools that are sufficient to help you edit your videos with ease. These tools include:

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Media: For importing and editing video files. You can import videos into CapCut from your device, gallery, presets, or CapCut library.
Audio: For importing and editing music. You can get these sounds from your device, CapCut library, TikTok, or extract them from a video. You can also add sound effects using this tool.
Text: This tool allows you to add and edit text. You can customize the appearance of the text to make it more catchy. It also helps to auto-generate captions, making this task less tedious.
Stickers: If you want to add a bit more context to your content without doing too much, a sticker is what you need. This tool provides a collection of stickers that convey different messages.

Effects: This tool allows you to make simple changes to your video to give it more depth such as blurring the background, zooming in, etc. CapCut provides multiple effect options you can choose from.
Transitions: This tool allows you to smoothly merge several clips into one lengthy video. This makes the ending and starting point of the previous clip to the next clip less obvious.
Captions: This tool allows you to add captions in CapCut and edit them to your preference. It can also auto-generate captions from sounds in different languages. In addition, it provides some templates for customizing the look and placement of the caption.
Filters: This tool is for adding texture and feel to your video.

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How to Trim and Split Video Clips in CapCut

Trimming a video means shortening its length by cutting off a part of it either from the beginning or at the end. To trim a video:

Place your cursor at the start or end of the video
Then right-click to drag in until you cut out all the parts you don’t want

For example, in the image below, the line in between stands as a divide between the part that has been trimmed off.

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How to Split a Video

In video editing, splitting a video means breaking one video clip into two or more pieces. To split a video:

Place your cursor on top of the divider to move it about.
Move the divider and place it on the section you want to split

Then click on the Split icon or press CTRL + B

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How to Adjust Video Speed and Add Slow-motion Effect

Video speed is another thing you can edit in Capcut. To do so, click on “Speed” at the top right corner of your screen. Then right-click on the speed adjustment line to increase or reduce the video speed.

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To add the slow-mo effect, reduce the speed to less than 1x. Then check the “Smooth slow-mo” box.

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CapCut provides two speed editing options; normal and curved. Normal sees to it that any change you make applies to the entire video while “Curve” allows you to edit the specific sections in the video clip. For basic video editing, use “Normal”.

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Adding Music and Sound Effects in CapCut

Another common practice in video editing is adding music and sound effects.

How to Add Music to a Video in CapCut

You can easily do this within the CapCut app by following the steps below.

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Step1: Click on Audio

You will see a list of sound sources to choose from.

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Step 2: Select the audio you like. This could be Music, Extra audio, TikTok, etc.

Note that the audio you added will appear right below the video clip and you can split or trim it to match the length of the video.

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After choosing your sound source and selecting the sound you want to use, you can proceed to add sound effects to make them sound even better.

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Exploring Sound Effects in CapCut

CapCut provides multiple sound effects options. These include trending, transitions, horrors, mood, fight, magic, and variety.

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Using Text and Titles in CapCut

Once you’ve added audio to your edit, the next step is text and captions. You can add text in CapCut such as titles, subtitles, captions, and descriptions. The text editing tool provides several options you can play around with to get what you want.

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To add and customize text in your clip;

Go to “Text” on the toolbar
Click on “Add text” on the side menu and select “Default text”
Then type whatever you want to appear on your video
Edit the text at the right corner of your screen

You can edit the default text under Basic, Bubble, and Effect in the right corner of your screen. These options allow you to customize the title or text you have written.

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You can also use available text templates and effects to write titles and captions in your video quickly.

How to Add Animation to Your Text

Besides the regular editing, you can animate your text to make it more engaging. CapCut has a load of animation options you can select from.

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Exploring CapCut Templates and Effects

CapCut has a variety of templates that make your editing a lot easier. These templates allow you to create different types of videos while skipping a few steps. videos You can find the template categories under Media >> Library. They include Trending, Christmas and New Year, green screen, Intro and End, Background, etc.

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How to Apply Video Effects and Filters

Applying effects and filters to your videos is simple. To apply an effect, click on the Effects toolbar. You will see two options: video and body effect.

Select “Video effects” if you want the effect to be applied to the entire video
Choose “Body effects” if you want to only add effects to the people in the video.

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Finally, scroll through the list of options to pick the most suitable effect, download, and add to the clip.

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The process for adding filters is pretty much the same. First, you click the Filter toolbar and then select the filter you want to add to your clip.

Available Transitions in CapCut and How to Use Them

If you have two or more clips you would like to join in a fun way, transitions are what you need. CapCut offers multiple categories of transitions which include Overlay, Light effects, Blur, Glitch, Basic, Distortion, etc.

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How to use Transitions:

Step 1: Add the clips you want to merge into the editing box to the timeline

Step 2: Click on the Transition toolbar, scroll through the available list of transitions

Step 3: Drag and drop the transition where the two clips meet.

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You can use different transitions to introduce the next clip. To do so, click on the point where the next clip begins and tap the + button on the transition to add it.

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Exporting Your Video in CapCut

If you’ve successfully edited your video to your satisfaction, you can now go ahead and export it. When exporting a video in CapCut, it's important to optimize it for the platform you're targeting. Each platform has different requirements for video resolution, frame rate, bit rate, and file size to ensure the best viewing experience.

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Consider doing the following before tapping the final export button

Choose the Correct Aspect Ratio

Different platforms prefer different aspect ratios:

TikTok: Use 9:16 (vertical) as TikTok videos are usually watched on mobile phones.
YouTube: Use 16:9 (horizontal) for landscape videos.
Instagram (Feed, Stories, Reels): Use 1:1 (square) for feed posts or 9:16 (vertical) for Stories and Reels.
Twitter: Use 1:1 or 16:9 for optimal display.
Facebook: You can use 1:1 (square) for feed posts or 16:9 for landscape videos.

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Set Video Resolution

Set the resolution based on platform standards:

1080p (Full HD): This is a common resolution for high-quality videos on most platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
720p: If you need a smaller file size but still good quality, this is acceptable for platforms like Twitter or TikTok.
4K: For the highest quality, especially for YouTube, but make sure the platform supports it.

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Set the Bitrate

There are different options such as Higher, recommended, lower, and customized. It is best to leave it at the recommended.

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Set the Frame Rate

30 fps (frames per second): This is the standard for most platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
60 fps: If your video contains fast action or gaming content, use 60 fps for smoother playback, especially on YouTube.

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Set Format

Use the MP4 format for exporting your videos

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Optimize Video File Size

Some platforms, like Instagram and Twitter, have limits on video file size. To avoid issues:

Compress the video during export by reducing the bitrate slightly without losing much quality.
CapCut allows you to adjust bitrate manually in the export settings to control file size.

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Check Audio Settings

Ensure the audio is clear and balanced. After configuring the necessary settings, you can then tap on “Export” to export the edited video to your device.

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Common issues faced During Video Export in CapCut and their Solution.

1. The export process stops or gets stuck at a certain percentage

Solution: Exit the app, restart it, and try exporting again. You can also check to be sure your device has enough free space to store the exported video. If storage is full, free up some space.

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2. The audio doesn’t match the video timing after export

Solution: Preview the video within CapCut before exporting to ensure the audio syncs with the video. If the issue persists, export just the video and audio separately, then combine them again in a new project.

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3. The exported video quality is much lower than expected

Solution: Before exporting, ensure the video resolution is set to 1080p or higher for better quality. The frame rate should also match the desired quality (usually 30fps or 60fps). Also, consider increasing the bitrate as a low bitrate can result in pixelated or blurry videos.

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Conclusion

Editing videos on CapCut is easy 🤟. All you have to do is follow the steps in the guide and practice consistently and you will eventually become a pro at doing advanced video editing. However, if you do not want to go through the rigorous process of manually editing videos, our AI video editor can help you get the job done in no time.

Get started with Submagic’s AI video editor today!

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Chris

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