How to Add B-Roll in CapCut
Quick answer
In CapCut, B-roll is added as an overlay. On mobile, tap Overlay → Add overlay and pick your clip; on desktop, drag the clip onto a track above your main video. Resize it to fill the frame, then move and trim it on the timeline so it covers the right line.
Instagram, Facebook & TikTok · Only use clips you own or have permission to use.
Key takeaways
- B-roll is an overlay layer above your main clip.
- Mobile: Overlay → Add overlay. Desktop: drag onto an upper track.
- Scale the overlay to full frame for a cutaway.
- Mute or lower the overlay's own audio.
- Menu names can vary by app version.
On this page
Before you start
Gather your B-roll first: short clips you own or have permission to use, ideally in the same aspect ratio as your project. (See the aspect ratio guide.)
On mobile
- Open your project with the main (talking-head) clip on the timeline.
- Move the playhead to where the cutaway should start.
- Tap Overlay, then Add overlay, and choose your B-roll clip.
- Pinch to resize it until it fills the frame (for a full cutaway) or leave it smaller for picture-in-picture.
- Drag the overlay along the timeline and drag its edges to set when it starts and ends.
- Lower or mute the overlay's volume so your voice stays clear.
On desktop
- Import your main video and B-roll clips.
- Put the main video on the main track.
- Drag a B-roll clip onto a track above it.
- Select it and resize it in the preview to fill the frame.
- Move and trim it to the line it illustrates.
- Adjust its volume.
Button names and positions can change between versions and regions; if you can't find a control, follow the labels in your build.
Timing tips
- Start the cutaway on the word it illustrates.
- Use cutaways to cover jump cuts. (More here)
- Keep most cutaways around 3–5 seconds. (More here)
Common mistakes
- Leaving overlays smaller than the frame by accident, showing the base clip's edges.
- Forgetting the overlay's own audio.
- Mixing aspect ratios.
How VDOHBoost fits
VDOHBoost helps you get B-roll ready before you open your editor: pull a segment from your own Instagram, Facebook or TikTok post and crop it to match your CapCut project. VDOHBoost's 9:16, 1:1 and 16:9 crops are center crops; if you need to reframe around a person, choose Original and adjust the framing in your editor.
In VDOHBoost the flow is Paste → Trim → Done:
- Paste a link to your own clip
- Tick the rights checkbox
- Press "Get clip" and wait for loading
- Trim the clip on the "READY TO TRIM" screen
- Choose a crop: Original, 9:16, 1:1 or 16:9
- Export, then "Download MP4"
VDOHBoost exports up to 720p.
Get B-roll ready from your own clip →
FAQ
How do I add B-roll in CapCut mobile?
Open your project, place the playhead where the cutaway starts, tap Overlay then Add overlay, and pick your clip. Pinch to make it fill the frame, then drag and trim it on the timeline. Lower its volume so your voice stays clear.
How do I add an overlay in CapCut on PC?
Import your clips, place the main video on the main track, and drag the B-roll onto a track above it. Select it to resize in the preview, then move and trim it on the timeline.
Why does my B-roll look small in CapCut?
Overlays may be added smaller than the frame. Select the overlay and scale it up until it covers the whole canvas.
How do I stop B-roll audio playing over my voice?
Select the overlay clip and lower or mute its volume separately from the main clip.
What aspect ratio should my B-roll be?
The same as your project. Vertical projects need vertical B-roll to fill the frame without bars.
Summary
Add B-roll as an overlay above your main clip, scale it to full frame, time it to your words, and keep its audio low.
Ready to crop your own clip?
Paste a link to an Instagram, Facebook or TikTok clip you own or have permission to use.
Paste a link to your clip