How to Make a TikTok Lyric Video

Want to turn a powerful song into a captivating TikTok? Creating a lyric video is one of the most effective ways to stop the scroll, drive engagement, and connect with viewers on a deeper level. This guide breaks down exactly how to make a compelling TikTok lyric video, from using the platform's basic tools to leveraging third-party apps for a more professional finish.

Why Lyric Videos Are So Effective on TikTok

Lyric videos are more than just text on a screen, they’re a powerful content format that taps directly into how people use the platform. They consistently perform well for a few simple reasons:

• They Boost Watch Time: Reading actively involves the viewer, keeping their attention focused on the screen for longer. As lyrics appear and disappear in sync with the song, users are more likely to watch until the end to see the full message. On TikTok, higher watch time signals to the algorithm that your content is engaging, which can increase its reach.
• They're Accessible: A huge percentage of social media videos are watched without sound. Lyric videos grab attention even when a user's phone is on mute, ensuring your message lands regardless of their viewing environment. This also makes your content more inclusive for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• They Amplify Emotional Impact: Music is already emotional, but seeing powerful lyrics highlighted on screen can make them hit even harder. It's a way to tell a story and draw your audience into the song’s narrative, fostering a stronger connection.
• They’re Perfect for Trends: Whether you're jumping on trending audio or trying to make your own original sound go viral, a lyric video is an easy entry point. It focuses attention on the audio itself, encouraging other users to engage with it and use it in their own videos.

Before You Edit: Prepping Your Lyric Video

A little preparation goes a long way. Before jumping into an editor, take a few minutes to gather your assets. This will make the entire creation process much smoother.

1. Choose Your Song and Clip

The song is the heart of your video. Choose one with clear, impactful lyrics that fit the brand voice or mood you're aiming for. It’s important to select the perfect 15- to 30-second snippet, that’s where the magic happens on TikTok. Look for a chorus, a powerful bridge, or a verse that tells a self-contained story.

A note on audio: If you’re just making content for fun, feel free to use any sound from TikTok’s extensive commercial library. If you're a business, you are restricted to the Commercial Music Library to avoid copyright issues. Using your own original audio or royalty-free music are also great options for brand content.

2. Get the Official Lyrics

Once you’ve got your sound, find the official lyrics. A quick Google search of "[Song Title] lyrics" will usually do the trick. Copy them into a notes app on your phone so they're easy to access while editing. It might sound obvious, but double-check them for accuracy. Nothing kills credibility faster than a spelling error or a misheard lyric.

3. Select Your Background Video or Imagery

The visual behind your text sets the tone. You need a background that complements the song without being so busy that it makes the lyrics hard to read.

Here are a few great options:

• Aesthetic Stock Footage: A moody shot of rain on a window, a scenic clip of a sunset, or an abstract, looping animation can all work perfectly. Websites like Pexels, Unsplash, and Mixkit offer tons of free, high-quality video clips.
• A Personal Video: A simple clip of you walking, working, or even just looking thoughtfully at the camera can add a personal, authentic touch. This helps viewers connect with you, the creator, and not just the song.
• A Simple, Branded Background: A static image or a subtle animated background featuring your brand's colors or logo can be effective for business accounts. Keep it clean and uncluttered.

The Simple Method: Making a Lyric Video Directly in TikTok

You don’t need any external tools to get started, TikTok's built-in text editor is surprisingly capable for creating a basic lyric video. This method is all manual, so it can be a bit tedious, but it's perfect for when you're on the go and have a simple idea.

Step 1: Upload Your Background and Add Sound

Open the TikTok app and tap the + button to start a new creation. Upload your background video or image from your camera roll. Once it's loaded, tap "Add sound" at the top of the screen. Search for your chosen song, select it, and use the trim tool to isolate the exact clip you need.

Step 2: Add Your First Line of Lyrics

Tap the "Text" (Aa) icon on the right-side menu. Type out the first phrase or line of lyrics that appears in your sound clip. After typing, you can customize its appearance:

• Choose a font that is bold and easy to read.
• Select a color that stands out against your background.
• Add a background highlight or outline to make the text pop even more.

Step 3: Set the Timing with "Set Duration"

Here’s the most important part. After styling your text, tap on the text box one time. An option will appear that says "Set duration." Tap it. You’ll now see a timeline at the bottom of the screen with your text clip highlighted in red. Drag the start and end handles of the red bar so the text appears exactly when the line is sung and disappears just before the next one starts. Listen to the audio multiple times to get the timing just right.

Step 4: Repeat for Every Line

Once your first line is perfectly timed, it's time to add the next. Tap the "Text" icon again, type out the second line, style it, and tap "Set duration" to time it. Repeat this process for every single line in your video clip. You'll see each text element appear as a separate layer in the duration editor, which lets you see how they all line up. When you're done, preview the full video to make sure the transitions are smooth.

Leveling Up: Using a Video Editing App for a Pro-Level Lyric Video

While the TikTok method works, it's time-consuming and offers limited creative control. For a truly professional look with dynamic animations and precise timing, using a third-party app is the way to go. CapCut, TikTok’s free sister app, is the best tool for the job thanks to its incredible "Auto Lyrics" feature.

Why Use CapCut? It’s Free and Built for This

CapCut simplifies the most tedious part of making a lyric video: transcribing and timing the text. Its AI-powered Auto Lyrics feature does almost all of the heavy lifting for you, saving you a huge amount of time and effort.

Step-by-Step Guide with CapCut:

Step 1: Import Your Media and Audio

Open CapCut and start a "New Project." Select and import the background video you chose earlier. Next, sync your audio. If the audio is part of your video file already, you can tap on the video layer, swipe through the bottom menu, and select "Extract audio." If not, tap "Audio" > "Sounds" and either link your TikTok account to access synced sounds or upload the audio file from your device.

Step 2: Generate Auto Lyrics in One Tap

This is where the magic happens. On the main bottom menu, tap "Text." You’ll see an option labeled "Auto Lyrics." Tap it, choose the sound source (from your video or from the added sound), select the language, and tap "Start."

CapCut’s AI will listen to the audio, automatically transcribe the lyrics, and place them on the timeline, perfectly synced to the music. What used to take 20 minutes of manual work is now done in about 20 seconds.

Step 3: Customize the Look & Feel

The AI gets the timing right, but you control the style. First, review the generated text for any errors and make quick corrections. Next:

• Batch Edit for Consistency: Tap on one of the lyric boxes, then tap "Batch Edit." This allows you to apply changes to all the lyric clips at once. From here, you can change the font, color, and size of every lyric for a uniform look.
• Add Animations: Go to the "Animation" tab. This is where you can make your lyric video truly dynamic. Add subtle "In" and "Out" animations like a fade or slide. For a classic lyric video feel, try the popular "Karaoke" style animation, which colors in the text as the word is sung.
• Position Everything Perfectly: Drag the text box on the preview screen to position it wherever you like - center, bottom, top, etc.

Step 4: Export and Share to TikTok

Once you’re happy with how it looks, export your video. Choose 1080p resolution and a 30fps frame rate for optimal quality on TikTok. CapCut has a button to share directly to TikTok, making the whole process seamless. Upload it, add your caption and hashtags, and you're ready to post.

Creative Tips to Make Your Lyric Video Unforgettable

Ready to stand out? Once you've mastered the technical steps, focus on these creative details to elevate your content.

• Choose Your Font Wisely: A font sets a mood. A clean, sans-serif font feels modern, while a script font can feel romantic or personal. Above all, prioritize legibility. If viewers can't read it easily, they'll scroll away.
• Emphasize Key Words: Make a powerful lyric truly pop. You can do this by making a single word a different color, giving it a unique animation (like a bounce), or making it slightly larger than the rest of the text. This visual punctuation draws attention to the most important part of your message.
• Use High-Contrast Colors: Ensure your text is always readable against its background. If your background is dark, use light text. If it's light, use dark text. Using outlines, shadows, or text backgrounds can help your lyrics stand out against visually "busy" videos.
• Pace Your Text to the Music: Don't just time your text, match its energy. For a rapid-fire verse, have lyrics appear and disappear quickly. For a slow, emotional chorus, let the words fade in and out gracefully, lingering just a bit longer on the screen.
• Don't Be Afraid of Space: Avoid the temptation to put too much text on the screen at once. Stick to one or two lines at a time. A cluttered screen is hard to read and looks unprofessional. Clean and simple is almost always better.

Final Thoughts

Creating a captivating TikTok lyric video is a skill any creator can learn. Whether you opt for the fast-and-easy in-app method or elevate your production with a tool like CapCut, the result is highly engaging content that resonates with audiences and keeps them watching. Focus on clear visuals, perfect timing, and a vibe that matches your chosen music.

Once you’ve crafted the perfect lyric video, getting it in front of your audience at the right time is the next step. Since we built Postbase with a video-first approach, we make scheduling short-form content like TikToks, Reels, and Shorts simple and reliable. You can plan your entire video content calendar, schedule your posts to go live at peak times, and trust that they’ll publish without a hitch, giving you more time to create. Take a closer look here: Postbase.