TikTok Slow Motion: How to Slow Down a Video

Slow motion turns an ordinary moment into something worth watching: hair flicks, pouring coffee, a goal, a dog leaping for a ball. TikTok gives you two ways to do it. You can slow the camera down while you record, or slow a clip down afterwards in the editor, including smooth speed ramps with the Curve option.

Option 1: slow motion while recording

1. Open TikTok and tap Add post +.
2. Tap Speed on the side panel.
3. Choose 0.5x for gentle slow motion or 0.3x for very slow.
4. Record as normal.

TikTok's recording speeds

Speed	Effect
0.3x	Slows the video right down
0.5x	Slows the video
1x	Standard shooting speed
2x	Speeds the video up
3x	Speeds it up further

The recording speed is a quick way to get slow motion, but it applies to everything you film in that take.

Option 2: slow down a clip after recording

1. Record or upload your video and open the editor.
2. Tap the clip you want to change, or tap Edit at the bottom.
3. Tap Speed.
4. Choose Normal for a steady speed or Curve for a speed that changes across the clip.
5. Pick your speed, then tap the exit button to save it.

Two rules from TikTok: speed only works on video clips, not photos, and you can only add one speed option to each clip.

Normal vs Curve: which to use

Option	Best for
Normal	A whole clip in steady slow motion, like a calm pour or a walk
Curve	Speed ramps, where the action slows at the key moment and speeds up again

Curve is what gives many trending videos their dramatic feel. The action plays at normal speed, slows right down for the peak moment, then picks up again.

The one-speed-per-clip workaround

Because each clip can only have one speed, split your video if you want different speeds in different parts. In the editor, place the line where you want the change and tap Split. Now you have two clips, and each can have its own speed. You can also drag clip edges to trim them and press and hold to reorder.

Tips for great slow motion

• Choose fast action. Slow motion shines on movement: splashes, jumps, spins and throws.
• Use bright light. Slowed footage shows every flicker and grain, so film in daylight or good light.
• Hold the phone steady. Camera shake is magnified in slow motion.
• Pick the right sound. TikTok lets you add one sound to a post, so choose one that suits the slower pace.
• Keep it short. A few seconds of slow motion is dramatic. A whole minute can drag.

Speeding things up instead

The same tools work in reverse. Choose 2x or 3x while recording, or a faster speed in the editor, for time-lapse style videos of cleaning, cooking or crafting. Mixing a sped-up section with a slow-motion finish is a classic TikTok structure.

Slow motion for business videos

Slow motion makes products look premium. A slow pour of a drink, fabric moving, or a close-up of a finished cake all feel more luxurious slowed down. Keep the slow section to the hero shot and let the rest play at normal speed. To add context, here's how to add captions on TikTok, and for creative backgrounds see how to use green screen on TikTok.

Slow motion problems and fixes

• Speed is greyed out on a clip. It's probably a photo. TikTok's speed setting only works on video clips.
• You can't add a second speed. That's the one-speed-per-clip rule. Split the clip and set the second speed on the new section.
• The slow motion looks choppy. Film in brighter light and keep the phone still, then try again.
• The music doesn't fit. Slowed clips change the feel of a video, so try a calmer sound.
• You can't find Speed while recording. It's on the side panel after you tap Add post. Update TikTok if it's missing.

A simple slow-motion recipe

1. Film the action at normal speed, with a little extra before and after.
2. In the editor, split the clip just before and just after the key moment.
3. Set the middle section to a slow speed with Normal, or use Curve on the whole clip for a ramp.
4. Trim any dull bits from the start and end.
5. Add a sound that suits the pace, and you're done.

It's a small amount of editing, but it's what makes a quick clip look like it took far longer than it did. Once you've done it a couple of times, you'll find it takes under a minute.

Before you post, watch the whole video once at full screen. Slow motion can make small flaws obvious, like a wobble or a blur, and it's easier to trim or re-film now than to delete a post later. A quick check also tells you whether the slow section lasts too long.

My verdict

For slow motion on TikTok, choose 0.5x or 0.3x under Speed before recording, or slow a clip down afterwards in the editor with Normal or Curve. Remember each clip only takes one speed, so split your video when you want the speed to change, and film fast action in good light.

Frequently asked questions

How do I do slow motion on TikTok?

Tap Add post, tap Speed on the side panel and choose 0.5x or 0.3x before recording, or change a clip's speed in the editor.

What is the slowest speed on TikTok?

When recording, TikTok offers 0.3x and 0.5x to slow the video, with 0.3x the slowest.

Can I slow down part of a TikTok video?

Yes. Split the clip in the editor, then set a slower speed on the part you want. Each clip can only have one speed option.

What does Curve mean in TikTok speed?

Curve changes the speed across the clip, for speed-ramp effects, while Normal keeps a steady speed.