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Instagram Reels: you see them all the time. But you’re not sure how to create your own. How are content creators and influencers producing these amazing short videos so quickly? The answer: CapCut, commonly used for TikTok videos, is also a fantastic tool to create Reels.
In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to create an Instagram Reel with CapCut. CapCut, a mobile video editing app, makes it incredibly easy. Let’s learn how!
Why use CapCut to create Instagram Reels?
CapCut is made by ByteDance. If they sound familiar, that’s because they’re more notable for being the owners of TikTok. Thus, CapCut is optimized for mobile sharing – first and foremost, to TikTok.
But it also directly links to an array of other social media channels. Instagram Reels are included! You can directly post directly to your Reels from CapCut.
CapCut is the best tool to create Instagram Reels of your own. Advantages include:
- Mobile editing lets you edit and share in seconds. CapCut is a mobile app (with desktop versions available). That means you can record video on your phone, and edit it into an Instagram Reel with CapCut instantly. You don’t have to wait to be in front of a computer.
- CapCut’s interface is intuitive and easy to use. CapCut is one of the most flexible and simple editing apps on the market. There’s no steep learning curve to edit and share.
- Professional-grade editing tools are included. Although it’s a free app, don’t think that CapCut shorts you on advanced tools. Studio-quality edits are possible, thanks to an enormous advanced feature-set that comes standard.
- You can add music and audio effects right to your Reels. CapCut comes with a large library of music and sound effects. If you’re used to sharing on social media, you know that finding licensed sounds can be a challenge. With CapCut, it’s easy to find and add to your projects.
As you can see, CapCut is a great tool to edit and share Instagram Reels. Now, let’s learn how to do it, step by step.
How to create Instagram Reels in CapCut, step by step
We’ll demonstrate Instagram Reels in CapCut with a stock video clip from Envato Elements. Want to download it to follow along? Click here to add the video clip to your own library.
1. Keep the rules of Reels in mind
With CapCut, you can edit and produce videos of all lengths. But to edit Reels, you’ll be working under certain conditions. Reels are primarily short-form videos. They’ll generally feature text overlays and music to make them more interesting. While they can be longer, it’s advisable to keep Reels no longer than 90 seconds long. Go beyond that, and Instagram’s algorithms will often hide them from audiences.
If Reels sound like TikTok videos, you’re exactly right. Reels were created as a response to TikTok’s explosive launch on the social media landscape. When you edit a video with the intent of posting it as a Reel, treat it as you would a TikTok video.
As you can see in the example above, editing a Reel in CapCut is easy. There aren’t hard-and-fast rules. But the trick is brevity – edit a short video featuring text and music.
Any video that you edit in CapCut can be made into a reel with ease. The true advantage lies in the direct sharing that CapCut allows. We’ll dive into that next.
2. Export your video
Once you’ve edited your Reel in CapCut, you’re ready to export and share it with the world. On the main Edit view, look in the upper right corner. There, you’ll see the Share button. It’s a vertical Up arrow with a line beneath.
To share your CapCut video as an Instagram Reel, tap on the Share button. CapCut will begin exporting your video. When this processes, you’ll have a saved copy of your video in your Camera Roll.
With that, you can share and save it anywhere you want. But to share your clip as an Instagram Reel, CapCut makes it even easier. In the final step below, you’ll learn how.
3. Post to Instagram as a Reel from the CapCut mobile app
When you click Share, CapCut will spend a few moments exporting your video. As mentioned, you’ll have a saved video in your library. Instagram Reels are easy to share, and you don’t have to rely on your saved video.
Once CapCut has finished saving your video, you’ll see the Ready to share screen. Here is where you can directly share your CapCut project to your favorite social channels. Among these options is the ability to share directly to Instagram Reels.
On the left, you’ll see the Instagram button. To make your CapCut video into a Reel, tap Instagram. If you’re logged into your Instagram account, you can share directly to your profile. Your video will appear with a thumbnail preview.
Want to post it to your Instagram Reels? Tap the Reels button in the lower center. You’re now in Instagram’s main Reels editor! Select your audience, make sharing selections, and tap Share. In seconds, your video will be shared to your Instagram Reels.
Learn more about CapCut
Instagram Reels are one of many cool projects you can make in CapCut. As a robust video editor, you can create and share videos on any platform that you want. With this comes a tremendous number of options and features to help you edit.
Ready to level up your CapCut game quickly? Here at Tuts+, we have tutorials to help. Check these out to learn more about CapCut, how it works, and what it can do:
Share Instagram Reels from CapCut today
In this tutorial, you learned how to create Instagram Reels with CapCut. Any CapCut video can be shared as a Reel! For best results, keep them short and sweet. Adding text and music makes them even more interesting.
When you’re ready to share a Reel, tap Share, choose Instagram, and select Reels. In moments, you can directly post your CapCut video to your Instagram profile. It can’t get any easier. Try it now.