CapCut Video Editor Cheat Sheet

Last Updated: November 21, 2025

Interface Overview

Panel Purpose Location
Media Library Import videos, photos, audio Top left - drag to timeline or tap + to add
Preview Window View your video Center top - playback and preview edits
Timeline Arrange clips, edit sequences Bottom - horizontal video/audio tracks
Toolbar Editing tools and features Bottom (mobile) / Left side (desktop)
Effects Panel Browse effects, transitions, text Right side or bottom tabs
Audio Panel Music, sounds, voiceover Separate tab with music library and recorder
Text Panel Add titles, captions, subtitles Text tab with templates and customization
Export Panel Export settings and resolution Top right - resolution, frame rate, quality settings

Keyboard Shortcuts (Desktop)

Shortcut Action
Space Play/Pause
I Set In Point
O Set Out Point
Ctrl + B Split clip
Delete / Backspace Delete selected clip
Ctrl + D Duplicate clip
Ctrl + C/V Copy/Paste clip
Ctrl + Z Undo
Ctrl + Y Redo
Ctrl + S Save project
Ctrl + E Export video
Ctrl + M Add marker
J / K / L Rewind / Pause / Forward
Left/Right Arrow Move forward/back one frame
Shift + Arrow Move 5 frames
Home / End Go to start/end of timeline
Ctrl + Plus/Minus Zoom timeline in/out
Shift + Z Fit timeline to window
Ctrl + K Razor tool (split at playhead)
V Selection tool
A Select all clips
Ctrl + A Select all
T Add text
Ctrl + Shift + E Export frame as image
Alt + Drag Duplicate while dragging
Ctrl + Shift + S Save as new project

Basic Editing Operations

Operation How To (Mobile) How To (Desktop)
Import Media Tap + or Album icon Drag files to media library or Import button
Add to Timeline Tap clip thumbnail Drag to timeline
Trim Clip Select clip → drag white handles Drag clip edges on timeline
Split/Cut Position playhead → Split Ctrl+B or Scissors icon
Delete Clip Select → Delete button Select → Delete key
Duplicate Select → Copy → Paste Ctrl+D or Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V
Reorder Clips Long press and drag Click and drag on timeline
Speed Adjustment Select → Speed → slider Right-click → Speed
Reverse Clip Select → Reverse Right-click → Reverse
Freeze Frame Select → Freeze Right-click → Freeze frame
Volume Adjust Select → Volume slider Select clip → Volume in properties
Fade In/Out Select → Animation → Fade Select → Fade handles on timeline

Transition Types

Category Popular Transitions Best For
Basic Dissolve, Fade, Cross Fade, Wipe General use, smooth scene changes
Zoom Zoom In, Zoom Out, Zoom Blur Travel vlogs, dynamic cuts, energy
Slide Slide Left/Right/Up/Down Photo slideshows, montages
3D Cube, Flip, Rotate, Fold Tech reviews, modern content
Blur Blur In/Out, Radial Blur Dreamy sequences, time passage
Glitch RGB Split, Digital Glitch, Shake Gaming, tech content, modern edits
Light Flash, Light Leak, Rays Upbeat content, transitions with energy
Mask Circle wipe, Heart, Star shapes Fun content, social media, TikTok
Distort Stretch, Squeeze, Whirl Creative transitions, experimental
Trending Trending TikTok transitions Viral content, staying current

Video Effects

Category Effects Purpose
Body Effects Slim, Smooth Skin, Big Eyes, Face Reshape Beauty enhancement, portrait videos
Video Effects Glitch, VHS, Chromatic, Film Grain, Old Film Aesthetic styles, vintage looks
Color Grading Warm, Cool, Cinematic, B&W, Vintage Color correction, mood setting
Blur Background blur, Gaussian, Motion blur Depth of field, focus subject
AI Effects Auto captions, Background removal, Object removal Professional edits with AI assistance
Overlay Light leaks, Bokeh, Dust, Rain, Snow Atmosphere, visual interest
Retro VHS, 80s, Pixel, Arcade Nostalgia, retro aesthetics
Trending Current viral effects Stay relevant on TikTok/Reels
Cartoon Sketch, Cartoon, Comic book Stylized content, creative looks

Text & Captions

Feature Description How To
Add Text Basic text overlay Text tab → Add text → Type and position
Text Templates Pre-designed text styles Text → Templates → Choose style
Auto Captions AI-generated subtitles Text → Auto captions → Select language → Generate
Text Animation Entrance, emphasis, exit Select text → Animation → Choose effect
Font Styles Hundreds of fonts Select text → Font → Browse or search
Text Effects Shadow, outline, background Text properties → Style → Customize
Color & Gradient Text color options Text → Color → Solid or Gradient
Text to Speech AI voice reads text Text → Text to Speech → Choose voice
Bubble Text Speech bubble style Text templates → Bubbles category
Typewriter Effect Text appears letter by letter Animation → Typing effect
Text Tracking Follow moving object Select text → Tracking → Track object

Audio Editing

Feature Description How To
Add Music Background music from library Audio → Sounds → Choose track or Import
Extract Audio Remove audio from video Select clip → Extract audio (separates to audio track)
Volume Adjustment Change audio level Select audio → Volume slider (0-200%)
Fade In/Out Smooth audio transitions Select audio → Fade → Adjust duration
Audio Separation Isolate vocals or music Select audio → Audio separation → Choose type
Beat Detection Auto-mark beats Audio → Beat → Auto detect (adds markers)
Voiceover Record narration Audio → Recording → Record button
Sound Effects Add SFX from library Audio → Effects → Browse categories
Noise Reduction Remove background noise Select audio → Noise reduction → Adjust strength
Audio Speed Change playback speed Select audio → Speed → Adjust (pitch can be maintained)
Audio Sync Sync audio to video Drag audio track to align or use waveform matching

Stickers & Elements

Category Elements Use Case
Animated Stickers Emojis, icons, characters Reactions, emphasis, fun elements
Shapes Circles, squares, arrows, lines Highlight, point, frame elements
Social Media Like, subscribe, follow buttons Call-to-action, engagement prompts
Trending Popular TikTok/Reels stickers Viral content, staying current
Countdowns Timer overlays Challenges, countdowns, suspense
Progress Bars Loading, charging animations Tech videos, tutorials, progress indication
Lower Thirds Name tags, location labels Interviews, professional content, credits
Frames & Borders Picture frames, borders Aesthetic enhancement, multiple clips

Advanced Features

Feature Description How To Use
Chroma Key Green screen removal Select clip → Cutout → Chroma key → Pick color
Keyframe Animation Custom motion paths Select element → Add keyframe → Move playhead → Change position/scale → Add keyframe
Masking Show/hide portions Effects → Mask → Draw shape or use presets
Stabilization Smooth shaky footage Select clip → Stabilization → Adjust strength
Speed Curves Variable speed changes Select clip → Speed → Curve → Draw custom speed graph
Auto Reframe Smart crop for different ratios Select clip → Auto reframe → Choose aspect ratio
Motion Tracking Track moving objects Add element → Tracking → Select object to track
Picture-in-Picture Multiple video layers Add clip above main → Overlay → Resize and position
Clone/Stamp Remove unwanted objects Effects → Remove → Clone or use AI object removal
Color Match Match colors between clips Select clip → Adjust → Color match → Select reference
Adjust Tab Features Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Temperature, Tint, Fade, Sharpen, Vignette Select clip → Adjust → Modify sliders

Export Settings

Setting Options Recommendations
Resolution 720p, 1080p, 2K, 4K 1080p for social media, 4K for YouTube/high quality
Frame Rate 24, 30, 60 fps 30fps standard, 60fps for smooth motion/gaming
Format MP4, MOV MP4 for compatibility, MOV for Apple ecosystem
Aspect Ratio 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:5, 21:9 16:9 YouTube, 9:16 TikTok/Reels/Stories, 1:1 Instagram feed
Quality 720p, 1080p, 2K, 4K, Smart HDR 1080p balanced, higher for professional use
Bitrate Standard, High High for best quality (larger file size)
Save to Camera roll, Files, Cloud Files for editing, Camera roll for quick sharing

Platform-Specific Export

Platform Resolution Aspect Ratio Duration
TikTok 1080x1920 (1080p) 9:16 (Vertical) Up to 10 min (3 min recommended)
Instagram Reels 1080x1920 (1080p) 9:16 (Vertical) Up to 90 seconds
Instagram Feed 1080x1080 (1080p) 1:1 (Square) Up to 60 seconds
Instagram Stories 1080x1920 (1080p) 9:16 (Vertical) 15 seconds per clip
YouTube 1920x1080 or 3840x2160 16:9 (Landscape) Unlimited (15 min default, verify for longer)
YouTube Shorts 1080x1920 (1080p) 9:16 (Vertical) Up to 60 seconds
Facebook 1920x1080 (1080p) 16:9 (Landscape) Up to 240 min
Twitter/X 1920x1080 (1080p) 16:9 (Landscape) Up to 2:20 min
LinkedIn 1920x1080 (1080p) 16:9 (Landscape) Up to 10 min

Mobile Gestures (Touch Interface)

Gesture Action
Tap clip Select clip
Tap + drag Move clip on timeline
Pinch on timeline Zoom in/out timeline
Pinch on preview Zoom preview (when clip selected)
Two-finger drag Pan timeline
Long press clip Pick up and move
Swipe left/right on clip Fine scrubbing through clip
Tap playhead + drag Scrub through timeline
Double tap clip Open edit menu
Drag edge of clip Trim/extend duration

Common Workflows

Project Type Workflow Steps
TikTok/Reels 1) Import clips 2) Add trending music 3) Cut to beat using beat markers 4) Add text/captions 5) Apply trending effects 6) Export 9:16, 1080p
YouTube Vlog 1) Arrange A-roll clips 2) Cut out pauses 3) Add B-roll cutaways 4) Color grade all clips 5) Add music & SFX 6) Intro/Outro 7) Export 16:9, 1080p/4K
Tutorial Video 1) Screen recording clips 2) Add voiceover 3) Add arrows/shapes to highlight 4) Zoom in on important parts 5) Add chapter text 6) Export 16:9, 1080p
Music Video 1) Import footage + audio 2) Beat detect on music 3) Cut clips to beat 4) Add effects/filters 5) Color grade 6) Add lyrics as text 7) Export high quality
Product Review 1) Main camera footage 2) Product close-ups (B-roll) 3) Add lower thirds with specs 4) Overlay comparison images 5) Background music 6) Export 16:9, 1080p

Pro Tips & Tricks

Tip Benefit
Use Auto Captions Accessibility + engagement (80% watch muted). Edit for accuracy after generation
Beat Sync Use beat markers on music track, then split clips on beats for professional feel
Keyframe Everything Animate position, scale, rotation, opacity for dynamic motion graphics
Color Grade Last Edit first, then apply consistent color grading across all clips
Use Templates Pre-made text/transition templates save time, maintain consistency
Layer Audio Background music + SFX + voiceover = professional sound. Adjust volumes appropriately
J-Cut & L-Cut Audio starts before/after video for smooth transitions (offset audio)
Save Drafts Auto-save enabled but manually save important projects
Export High Quality Export at highest quality, platform will compress. Better to start high
Use Overlay Track Add PIP, text, stickers on overlay track above main video
💡 Pro Tips:
  • Use Auto Captions feature - it's incredibly accurate and saves hours of manual work
  • Adjust caption timing by dragging caption clips on timeline for perfect sync
  • Cut to the beat: Use beat detection on music, then align your cuts to beat markers
  • Speed ramping: Use curve speed instead of constant speed for cinematic slow-motion
  • Duplicate and flip for transitions: Reverse a clip and overlap for smooth motion
  • Use masking to create custom shapes and reveals - great for creative transitions
  • Color match feature ensures consistent look across clips from different cameras
  • Freeze frame + zoom creates dramatic emphasis on important moments
  • Background removal (AI) works on video, not just images - no green screen needed
  • Export at higher resolution than needed - platforms compress, start with quality
  • Use templates for consistent branding across videos (save custom text/effects)
  • Desktop version syncs with mobile - start on phone, finish on computer
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