Table of contents:
Key takeaways:
- You can edit a TikTok video using trimming, filters, effects, captions and overlays.
- You can edit a post after publishing, but you won’t be able to re-edit a video once it’s live.
- If you’re looking for more editing features, then consider using an external TikTok video editor like Riverside or Capcut.
Making TikTok videos can be super fun, but editing them? Time- and effort-consuming—you need to balance creativity and technique to make your content pop.
This includes trimming your clips, adding transitions, and using filters or effects. You'll also need music or sound effects to set the vibe and add text or captions to provide context.
There's lots to be done. Read on for the complete rundown on how to edit TikTok videos for boosted engagement.
Table of contents
- How to edit TikTok videos
- Trimming and cutting clips
- Adding transitions
- Applying filters and effects
- Making speed adjustments
- Adding audio and sound effects
- Using text overlays and captions
- How to edit TikTok videos after posting
- Should you edit videos directly on TikTok?
- Final thoughts
- FAQs on How to Edit TikTok Videos
How to edit TikTok videos
Let's review some popular TikTok editing techniques to produce professional-looking videos.
Trimming and cutting clips
Trimming is the first step in refining your TikTok video. Here, you eliminate all the unnecessary parts of your video, making your content concise and focused.
To trim or cut TikTok videos:
Step 1: In the home page, tap the “+" button to start recording or uploading a video on TikTok.
Step 2: Record or upload a video. Tap the "Edits" button on the right side of your screen.
Step 3: You'll see a timeline of your video at the bottom. Drag the edges of the timeline to trim the beginning or end of the clip. For multi-scene videos, select each clip individually and trim them as needed.
You can also use the Split button to cut a clip in half. To cut sections in the middle of a clip, use the split tool to mark the beginning and end points of what to cut. Then delete that clip.
Step 4: After trimming, tap “Next” and you’ll get directed to filling in your post details.
Adding transitions
Transitions help to create a smooth flow between different scenes in your video. Use it to remove any abrupt cuts that might confuse viewers.
To add transitions on TikTok videos:
Step 1: Head to the editing screen and click on the “square,” right between the clips you want to smoothen.
Step 2: Tap on any transition to see it in action. You can move your cursor back and replay it as much as you need. TikTok offers options like—Fade, Slide, and Zoom, among others. Select the transition that best fits the flow of your video.
Step 3: Once you’ve found the perfect transition, you can either apply it to just the selected clips or keep it consistent across your whole video by tapping “Apply to all.”
Applying filters and effects
Filters and effects can dramatically change your video's look and feel, whether you're adding a stylistic touch or correcting colors.
Filters
Filters can be your first or last step in editing—it’s up to you.
To apply a filter to your TikTok:
Step 1: Select “+” to add a new video. Once you record or upload a video click next and tap “Filters” on the side panel.
Step 2: Pick a filter that enhances your video.
Note: You can ensure quick access to your favorite filters. Simply tap “Management” in the filters panel and choose which filters show up in your app.
Effects
Effects let you add fun elements to your video but keep in mind that some effects only work at certain stages.
To add an effect to your TikTok before recording:
Tap “+” to add a post. Then click "Effects" at the bottom of the camera screen.
Preview and pick an effect to apply automatically.
Once you’ve chosen an effect, tap the screen to return to camera mode and start recording with your selected effect.
To add effects post-recording:
After you finish recording, tap “Effects” to boost your video with cool options like blurs, glitches, or slow-motion.
You can apply these effects to the whole video or just specific clips by selecting them on the timeline.
Top Tip: Many filters and effects come with adjustable settings. Tap the filter or effect again after applying it, and tweak things like intensity and color balance to nail your desired look.
Making speed adjustments
Speed adjustments can add emphasis or create dramatic effects, such as slow motion or time-lapse, which can enhance the storytelling in your video.
To change the speed of your TikTok:
Step 1: Upload or record anew video and go into the Editor by clicking on the "Edits" button.
Step 2: Click on the video clip. From the displayed toolbar, tap “Speed.”
Step 3: You can choose to speed up or slow down your video. The higher on the scale, the faster your video will be and visa versa.
You can also go to the curve tab, where there are preset speed changes.
When adjusting speed, ensure your video remains in sync with any background music or sound effects. You may need to adjust the music or sound effects accordingly after changing the video speed.
Step 5: Tap “Save” to finalize changes.
Adding audio and sound effects
Music and sound effects help set the tone of your TikTok video.
To add TikTok audio when recording:
Step 1: Tap “+” to add a new post. Then click “Add sound” at the top of the recording screen.
Step 2: Browse through Recommended, Favorites, or Recent options, or use the search bar to find the perfect track. Preview your options and select a track.
When you press back, the last track selected gets added to the recording screen.
Note: You can also add your own audio. Go to “Add sound” then click on the search bar. Click on “Discover more sounds” and go to “Your sounds”. Here you can upload your own local audio files.
To add TikTok audio after recording:
The process is similar if you already recorded or uploaded a video.
You’ll still see the “Add sound” button at the top of your video preview. Follow the same steps to choose a track.
If you want to edit further, click on the "Edit" button from the right toolbar. In the Editor, click on your audio track. You can now trim your audio, or adjust where it sits in your video.
In the Editor you can also click on “Sound” to add a different track or your own voiceover.
To add a sound effect:
Step 1: In the editing screen, tap “Sound” at the bottom, then choose “Sound effect.”
Step 2: Preview different effects, and tap “Use” to add one to your video. Whether it's ambient noise, a burst of laughter, or a dramatic sound, these effects can add that extra layer of depth to your content.
Using text overlays and captions
Text overlays and captions aren’t just for decoration—they’re essential for making your content accessible and engaging. Especially with 75% of people watching mobile videos on mute.
To add text overlays to TikTok videos:
Step 1: Finish recording or uploading your video then click on the "Text" from the right toolbar.
Step 2: Type out your message and customize the font, color, and size to make sure it’s readable. Drag it around to position it perfectly on the screen.
You can also click on it to edit it's duration or to turn it into speech.
Note: You can also access the text tool by going to the editor. (Click the "Edits" button to do this, then tap “Text” and then “Add text.”
To add captions:
Step 1: Finish recording or uploading your video then click on the "Captions" from the end of the right toolbar.
You can also get here from the editor by clicking on "Text" then "Captions".
Step 2: Review the auto-captions for accuracy. You can click on the pencil to edit the text. And to changhe the style and formatting click on the "A".
Read more in our full guide on how to add captions on TikTok.
How to edit TikTok videos after posting
Editing a TikTok video after posting is limited since TikTok does not allow direct edits to a video once it's live. But you can work around this by following these steps:
Step 1: Tap on the posted video and select the “three-dot menu.”
Step 2: At the bottom, scroll and select “Edit post.” You can edit your caption, hashtags, and TikTok cover image.
For more elaborate edits—such as changing the audio or trimming video length—you'll need to save the original video and then make the edits.
Here's how:
Step 1: Click the three dotted menu again. Choose “Save video” to download it to your device.
Step 2: Open the TikTok app, tap the “+” button to create a new post, and upload the saved video from your gallery. Alternatively, you can use a third-party software platform like Riverside to make your desired changes.
Step 3: Make the necessary edits, such as trimming, adding new effects, or updating captions. You can also adjust the privacy settings before posting.
Step 4: Once your edits are complete, re-upload the video to TikTok as a new post. Add captions, hashtags, and other details as needed.
Should you edit videos directly on TikTok?
Editing directly on TikTok is super convenient, especially when you're all about quick content creation.
TikTok’s built-in editor is perfect if you’re looking to create and share content fast, without needing pro video editing chops. The user-friendly tools are designed to help hop on trends, use popular audio, and add eye-catching filters and effects. Plus, you can engage with TikTok's community features, such as duets and stitches, all within the app.
But here’s the catch: TikTok’s editor, while great for basics, has its limits.
If you’re aiming for professional-level content, you might find yourself wanting more control over effects, transitions, and audio adjustments. That’s where an external editor steps in to save the day.
What is the best video editor for TikTok?
You'll find several high-performing video editors on the market. You should choose one based on your unique needs. For instance, Riverside is an excellent video editor for anyone looking to turn one long recording into multiple TikToks.
Unlike TikTok’s built-in editor, Riverside is packed with advanced features that TikTok’s editor simply can’t match. Take Magic Clips, for instance—it automatically creates clips from long recordings, cutting down on editing time. Riverside also offers AI-powered tools like noise reduction and audio enhancement, giving your videos that extra polish. Think of it as a faster, more versatile option if you’re serious about producing top-notch TikTok content.
If you're looking to edit videos on mobile, you can try CapCut. It’s integrated closely with TikTok and offers powerful features like multi-layer editing, advanced filters, and effects. AI-powered background removal and video stabilization are other great features to produce professional-looking content.
Final thoughts
Editing TikTok videos can be as easy or intricate as you want, depending on what you’re after.
If you’re looking for quick, on-the-fly edits, TikTok’s built-in editor has you covered—jump on trends and join challenges with zero fuss.
But if you’re craving more control and creativity, tools like Riverside and CapCut are better. These powerful tools offer advanced features like AI enhancements and precise control over effects and transitions, giving your videos that extra polish to shine in the crowd.
FAQs on How to Edit TikTok Videos
How do I adjust clips on TikTok?
To adjust clips on TikTok, simply record or upload your video, then tap “Adjust clips” on the editing screen. From there, you can trim, reorder, or delete specific clips by dragging the edges of the timeline or selecting individual clips. Once everything looks good, tap the checkmark to save your changes.
How to make good TikTok videos?
Start with a catchy hook, use trending sounds, and play around with TikTok’s editing tools like filters, transitions, and effects. Good lighting and sound quality go a long way, too. Plan your content with a simple, engaging story, and add captions or text overlays to make your message clear and accessible to everyone.
How to trim a video in TikTok?
After recording or uploading your video, tap on “Adjust clips.” Just drag the sliders on the timeline to cut off any unwanted parts at the beginning or end. If you have multiple clips, you can trim each one individually. Once you’re happy with the trim, tap the checkmark to lock in your edits.
Why can't I trim a TikTok video?
If you’re having trouble trimming a TikTok video, it might be because TikTok only lets you trim the beginning or end of clips. You also can't trim videos after posting it—or when the video has special effects. For more control, you might need to use a third-party editing tool like Riverside.
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