How to Edit a TikTok Video Tutorial

Creating a TikTok that stops the scroll often comes down to one thing: a great edit. But you don’t need complicated desktop software or years of experience to make it happen. This guide will walk you through every step of editing a fantastic video using only the powerful tools built right into the TikTok app, from basic clips to advanced effects. You'll learn how to trim footage, add trending sounds, time your text perfectly, and make your content look clean and professional.

Getting Started: Your Content Foundation

Before any edits can happen, you need videos to work with. TikTok gives you two primary paths for this: recording new footage directly inside the app or uploading clips you’ve already shot. Both have their advantages, and knowing when to use each can significantly improve your workflow.

Option 1: Recording Directly in the App

Shooting within TikTok is perfect for spontaneous creativity and leveraging the platform's real-time tools. When you hit the plus (+) button to start a new project, you can do more than just press record.

• Effects and Filters: Before you even start filming, swipe through the Effects icon to the left of the record button. You can access thousands of trending effects, from Green Screen backgrounds to interactive games. Applying an effect before you record saves you a step later and can even inspire the content you create. You can also tap the Filters icon on the right side of the screen to choose a color grade that fits your brand's aesthetic.
• The Timer Feature: This is a lifesaver for creators flying solo. Instead of trying to run back to your phone after hitting record, tap the Timer icon. You can set a 3-second or 10-second countdown, giving you plenty of time to get into position. Even better, you can drag the marker on the recording line to set exactly how long you want the clip to be, enabling you to shoot precise, hands-free video a few seconds at a time. This is how creators produce those seamless outfit-change or transformation videos.
• Shooting in Segments: You don’t have to record your whole video in one shot. Record a small clip, stop, change your angle or outfit, and then record the next segment. TikTok will automatically chain these clips together, making it easy to create dynamic scenes without having to do much cutting later.

Option 2: Uploading Clips From Your Camera Roll

For more planned or polished content - like vlogs, tutorials, or cinematic shots - uploading pre-recorded footage is the way to go. This allows you to use a higher-quality camera and take your time getting the perfect shot without the pressure of the TikTok interface.

To do this, hit the plus (+) button, then tap the Upload button on the bottom right. Here, you can select one or multiple video clips and photos from your phone's gallery. When pre-recording, keep these tips in mind:

• Shoot Vertically: Always film your content in a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. While you can upload horizontal video, it will appear with black bars and won’t fill the screen, leading to a much less immersive experience for viewers.
• Plan Your Edits: Think about your final video while you're shooting. If you know you want to use a trending sound with specific beats, you can shoot your clips with those beats in mind. For example, if a sound has four distinct beats, you might film four separate actions to sync up with each beat later in the editor.

The Core Editing Workflow: Putting It All Together

Once you’ve recorded or uploaded your content, tapping "Next" will take you to the main editing screen. This is where the real work begins. The interface might look busy at first, but each tool has a clear purpose. You can think of the editing process as happening in layers: first the video structure, then audio, then visual overlays.

Trimming and Arranging Your Clips

The first thing you’ll want to do is organize your raw footage. Tap the Adjust clips button (sometimes labeled as "Edit"). This will open a timeline view of all your video segments arranged in order.

Here you can:

• Trim Clips: Tap on any clip in the timeline. White handles will appear at the beginning and end. Drag these handles inward to trim unwanted footage from the start or finish of the clip. This is perfect for cutting out the moment you reached for the camera or any dead air at the end of a shot.
• Reorder Clips: Want to change the sequence of your story? Just tap, hold, and drag a clip to a new position in the timeline. This is incredibly useful for storytelling, like arranging "get ready with me" clips in the correct order or building a highlight reel.
• Split Clips: Position the white playhead line where you want to make a cut inside a clip and press the Split button. This divides one long clip into two, allowing you to delete a middle section or insert another clip or transition between them.

Adding Music and Sound

Audio is half the experience on TikTok. A trending sound can make your video more discoverable, while a good voiceover can clarify your message. At the top of the editing screen, you’ll see an Add sound button.

• Finding Sounds: Tap it to browse TikTok’s massive commercial music library. You can search for specific songs, explore trending charts, or check out recommended playlists. Once you've chosen a sound, tap the checkmark to add it to your video.
• Volume Control: After adding a sound, look for the Volume icon on the right-hand menu. This is important. You can adjust the volume of the "Added sound" and the "Original sound" (the audio from your video clips) independently. If you want the music to be the main audio, slide the Original sound to zero. If you're talking in your video and want music playing quietly in the background, lower the Added sound to around 5-15%.

Adding Text Overlays and Text-to-Speech

Text is a powerful tool for adding context, delivering a punchline, or simply making your video more accessible. Tap the Text (Aa) icon on the right menu.

• Customize Your Text: Type what you want to say. You can change the font, color, add a background or border, and align it. Get creative here to make it match your video’s vibe.
• Set the Duration: This changes everything. After creating a text box, tap on it. An option will appear called Set duration. This opens a timeline where you can drag the handles to control precisely when the text appears and disappears in your video. You can create a sequence where different lines of text appear one after another, perfect for listing steps in a DIY or a recipe or telling a story.
• Use Text-to-Speech: Once you’ve added your text, tap on it and select the Text-to-speech icon (it looks like a person's head with soundwaves). You can choose from a variety of voices to read your text aloud. This feature is wildly popular for adding personality and humor without needing to record your own voice.

Adding Transitions and Final Touches

A few small details can make your edits feel much sharper.

• Transitions: In the Adjust clips timeline, notice the small icons that appear between each clip. Tapping one of these opens the transitions menu. Here, you can add effects like a fade, slide, or zoom that smooth the cut between two different scenes. Use them sparingly to avoid a "video project" feel, but a well-placed transition can add a professional polish.
• Filters: If you didn’t add one before recording, tap the Filters menu on the right. You can scroll through different color palettes to find one that enhances your video or matches your personal brand. You can also adjust the intensity of the filter so it doesn’t look too overwhelming.
• Voiceover: Need to add some explanation after the fact? Tap the Voiceover icon on the right menu. Find the spot in your video where you want to speak, then press and hold the record button to narrate over your visuals. This is amazing for tutorials, commentary, or clarifying a visual story that isn’t obvious on its own.

Bonus Tips to Make Your TikToks Stand Out

You’ve got the basics down. Now, let’s look at two features that can elevate your content from good to great.

Green Screen and Stickers (Picture-in-Picture)

The Green Screen effect allows you to place yourself in front of any background, but it's not just for exotic locations. You can use it to react to another video or comment. The best way to do this is with Stickers. Look for the Stickers icon on the right menu, then tap the icon that looks like a photo with a plus sign. You can select a photo or video from your camera roll, and it will appear as an overlay on your main video. You can pinch to resize it and drag it anywhere on the screen. This is how you see creators reacting to screenshots of tweets or appearing as a small box in the corner while another video plays.

Creative Use of Speed Adjustments

Back in the Adjust Clips editor, when you select a clip, you’ll see a Speed button. You can slow a clip down (0.1x to 0.5x) or speed it up (2x to 10x). This can be used for dramatic or comedic effect. Slow motion can make a simple action look epic, while speeding up a long process (like setting up a room or doing a painting) is a great way to show the full scale of work in just a few seconds, creating a satisfying timelapse.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to edit directly in TikTok gives you the power to create timely, trendy, and polished videos without any extra tools. By mastering clip arrangement, sound design, text timing, and visual effects, you have everything you need to build compelling stories that connect with your audience and stop people scrolling.

After perfecting your videos, the last thing you want is for them to get lost in an unplanned content schedule. We built our tool, Postbase, specifically for this purpose. Since social media revolves around short-form video now, we focused on making it incredibly easy to upload your polished TikToks, Reels, and Shorts and plan them out on a visual calendar. Instead of scrambling to post at the right time, you can schedule everything in advance, ensuring your hard work gets seen without the last-minute stress.