How to Make a Slideshow on CapCut With Photos and Music

A photo slideshow is the easiest video a small business can make: a product range, a finished client project, an event, or a set of testimonials as images. You don't need any footage at all. CapCut lets you line up photos, set the timing, add transitions and music, and export a video that's ready for Reels, TikTok or a YouTube Short. The steps below are for CapCut on desktop, with notes for the online and phone versions.

Build a photo slideshow in CapCut

1. Open CapCut and start a new project.
2. Click Import and add your photos, plus any video clips or audio. CapCut lets you import from your device or CapCut Space.
3. Drag the photos from the media panel onto the timeline in the order you want them to play.
4. Set each photo's duration by dragging the edge of its clip on the timeline.
5. Open the Transitions tab, pick an effect and drag it between two clips.
6. Click Audio to add background music or sound effects, and adjust the volume, pitch and speed.
7. Add text, stickers or filters if you want captions or a title slide.
8. Click Export, choose the format, resolution and frame rate, and export.

Once it's rendered, CapCut gives you the option of sharing straight to TikTok or YouTube.

Slideshow timing that feels right

Slideshow type	Time on each photo	Transitions
Fast social reel	Short, cut to the beat	Simple cuts or quick slides
Product showcase	Long enough to read any text	One style throughout
Event or celebration	Varied, slower for key moments	Soft dissolves
Testimonial images	Long enough to read the quote twice	Minimal, so the words stay put

CapCut's own tip for matching photos to music is to drag clips on the timeline to change their length, or use the trim tool to fine-tune individual clips. Play it back, watch where the beat lands, and nudge each photo so the change happens on the beat. It's fiddly the first time and makes a huge difference.

Adding music without copyright trouble

CapCut says it has a library of royalty-free music tracks, sound effects and voiceovers. For business content, I'd stick to that library or music you've got the rights to use. A slideshow with a chart hit in the background might get muted or blocked on some platforms, and that's a problem you only discover after posting. Once the track's on the timeline, use the volume control so it doesn't drown out any voiceover.

Making a slideshow in CapCut Online

If you'd rather not install anything, CapCut's online photo video maker does the same job in a browser. Log into CapCut, drop your pictures in, choose music and sound effects from the left sidebar and drag the song onto the timeline. Then add text and filters, put transitions between photos and adjust how fast they run, and set the resolution before you export. You can also bring photos in from Dropbox or Google Drive, which saves downloading them first.

Start from a slideshow template

CapCut offers pre-designed slideshow templates if you'd like the timing and transitions done for you. Pick one with the same number of photos you have, swap your images in, and change any text. Templates are quick, but they're also recognisable. If your competitors use the same trending one, yours won't stand out, so I'd use a template for speed and then change the music and text to make it yours.

The resolution catch with photo slideshows

Here's what catches people out on export. CapCut's help page says you can't export 4K if all your clips are 1080p or lower, and on the phone app the options you see depend on your device and the media in your project. Photos from a phone are usually high resolution, but images saved from WhatsApp, social media or a website often aren't. Mix a few low-quality images into your slideshow and they'll look soft, whatever export setting you choose. Use the original files wherever you can.

Sizing the slideshow for each platform

Decide where the slideshow is going before you start. A vertical format suits Reels, TikTok and Shorts; a wide one suits YouTube and websites. Photos that don't match the frame will either be cropped or show bars at the sides, so check each image after changing the format. On the phone app, tap the resolution label next to Export and pick 1080P for social media.

Adding a title and an ending

A slideshow with no context is just pretty pictures. I'd add a short title over the first photo saying what it's about, such as the project name or the event, and finish on a final slide with your logo and one clear next step, like your website or a booking link. Keep both on screen long enough to read, and use the same font as your other branded content so people recognise it's you before they've even read the words.

My take

Keep slideshows short, keep transitions consistent, and match the photo changes to the beat. Use CapCut's royalty-free music and your best original photos. For more polish, see my guide to adding transitions in CapCut, and if you're sorting the soundtrack, here's how adding music in CapCut works in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make a slideshow on CapCut?

Yes. Import your photos, drag them onto the timeline, set their durations, add transitions and music, then export.

How do I change how long each photo shows in CapCut?

Drag the edge of the photo's clip on the timeline, or use the trim tool to fine-tune its length.

Does CapCut have music for slideshows?

CapCut says it has a library of royalty-free music tracks, sound effects and voiceovers you can add from Audio.

Can I make a CapCut slideshow online?

Yes. CapCut's online photo video maker lets you add photos, music, text and transitions in a browser.

What resolution should I export a CapCut slideshow at?

1080P suits most social media. CapCut won't offer 4K if all your media is 1080p or lower.