A Beginner's Guide to Editing Reels and Shorts With CapCut Desktop

Let's Dive In

To enhance your content further, consider adding voiceovers using a text to speech tool—it’s a great way to bring clarity and accessibility to your short videos.

This is a step-by-step tutorial that will guide you to start editing videos without feeling overwhelmed. Once you go through this step-by-step tutorial, you can edit your very first short video or reel on your laptop with CapCut with no prior experience.

What is CapCut Desktop Video Editor?

CapCut originated as a smartphone editing tool by the developers of TikTok (ByteDance), but has since rolled out a complete desktop version for Windows and macOS. It's completely free, and unexpectedly powerful. While some free editors constrain features or watermark your video, CapCut Desktop offers access to transitions, effects, text templates, audio tools, auto captions, and more, without locking all that behind a paywall. That works for budget creators or those who just like simplicity.

Steps To Editing Reels And Shorts With CapCut Desktop Video Editor

Step 1: Download CapCut and Create Your Project

First, visit the CapCut website and download the desktop software. Once you have installed it, launch it and choose "Create Project." Now, before you start adding clips, there's one setting that's crucial a lot: your aspect ratio. Since Reels and Shorts are vertical, switch the aspect ratio to 9:16. To do this, go to the aspect ratio option (usually in the top toolbar) and choose "Vertical."

This is a crucial step. If you don't set your video to widescreen, it will be incorrect on apps like Instagram or TikTok.

Step 2: Import Your Footage

After your project has been established on the correct aspect ratio, it's time to import your media. You are able to just drag and drop your video clips from your directories into CapCut, or go to the Import button under Media. You will want to have everything that you plan to use in the video: raw footage, music, voiceovers, images, and even logos if you have them. If you're using stock clips or AI-generated footage, pairing them with an AI video generator can give your visuals a cohesive and branded look.

Step 3: Trim and Cut Like a Pro

Now that you have your clips on the timeline, it is time to trim the fat.

Cut your clips using the split tool (Ctrl + B or click on the scissors icon) as required.

Drag the edges of both clips to cut the starting or ending.

Eliminate any stammered pauses, mistakes, or dead air.

Short content has to be interesting and engaging. Attempt to grab attention in the first two seconds, and do not waste a second. Every second should be worth it.

If your video has speaking or narrating, cut out filler words such as "um," "uh," and long pauses to maintain the energy.

Step 4: Add Text, Captions, and Subtitles

You should include on-screen captions for Reels and Shorts, particularly because most viewers of videos have their volume off.

CapCut makes it extremely easy to add clean, on-trend text. Choose the Text tab and select one of the presets available.

Write your text and place it on the timeline.

Resize, reposition, recolor, and adjust font as required.

Want to upgrade your game? Auto-captions. CapCut can recognize your video's audio and automatically generate subtitles for you. Simply click "Text" > "Auto Captions", choose your language, and CapCut will take care of the rest.

Subtitles not only make things more accessible, but also make people watch for longer.

Step 5: Add Transitions and Effects

To make your reel go viral, you could include transitions within the clips as well as cool visual effects.

Visit the Transitions tab to move through options such as quick cuts, zooms, and fades.

Adjust the length of each transition to optimal flow.

Under Effects, we have a lot of filters and animations. So, you want to use a glitch effect when you want some drama, or a vintage effect when you want some nostalgia.

Don't overdo it—less is more. A couple of well-placed subtle effects can work wonders to make your video look clean and professional.

Step 6: Add Background Music and Sound Effects

Music brings life to your video. Whether you want soothing lo-fi sounds or lively fun beats, the right background music sets the mood.

You can:

• Add your own music (make sure it is royalty-free if you are posting on YouTube).
• Use CapCut's built-in library of royalty-free soundtracks.
• Drag audio files onto the audio track in the timeline.
• Set the level so that your voice will not be overpowered, and make use of fade-in/out to provide smooth movement.

Need a little pizzazz? Add some sound effects—like a "ding" to indicate pop-up text or a swoosh for a transition. SFX has something on hand under the audio tab in CapCut. If you're modifying your vocal audio, a voice changer tool can also help you match your video’s tone or add playful effects.

Step 7: Color Grading and Filters

Even amateur shots can be cinematographic with some color grading.

Select your clip and go to the "Adjust" tab.

Play with brightness, contrast, saturation, and temperature.

Or, select from filters to instantly imbue your video with a mood—moody, pastel, bright, retro, etc.

If you're filming a string of reels, using the same filter or color grade on all your videos can help you achieve a unified look (ideal for branding).

Step 8: Add Motion with Keyframes

Bring your photos or text to life. With keyframes, you can make anything move in CapCut—great for adding some movement to your text, zooming into a clip, or panning across an image.

Here's how:

Select the clip or text that you wish to animate.

Press the diamond symbol (keyframe).

Move the playhead, then your element.

CapCut will generate a smooth transition between the two points.

This is such a great trick to make your video more lively, even if it's a talking-head shot.

Step 9: Export Your Reel or Short

Once you have finished editing, go to Export in the top right-hand corner.

Set resolution to 1080x1920 (vertical).

Choose a high frame rate (30 fps) to ensure smooth playback.

Name your file something self-explanatory, like My_IG_Reel_April2025.mp4.

Ensure you review the last video thoroughly before uploading it. View the video both silently and with music to identify the last mistakes.