To split a clip in CapCut, select the clip on the timeline, move the playhead to where you want the cut, then click or tap Split (the scissors icon on mobile). The clip becomes two separate pieces you can trim, move or delete. On desktop, Delete left and Delete right sit next to Split.
Splitting is the edit I use more than any other in CapCut. One cut lets you chop out a fluffed line, drop in a B-roll shot or move the best bit of a talking-head video to the start. The tool sits in the same place on desktop and in the app, just above the timeline, and it only takes a couple of seconds once you know where the playhead goes.
Split a clip in the CapCut desktop editor
- Open CapCut, select Create project and click Import to add your video.
- Drag the video onto the timeline.
- Select the clip and move the playhead (the vertical line) to the exact point you want to cut.
- Click the Split icon in the toolbar above the timeline.
- Repeat for as many cuts as you need, then delete or rearrange the pieces.
CapCut's guide describes the editing tools in a row above the timeline: Split first on the left, then Delete left, which removes the section to the left of the playhead after a split, and Delete right, which does the opposite.
Split a clip in the CapCut phone app
- Open your project and tap the video clip on the timeline to select it.
- Drag the timeline so the playhead sits at the point you want to cut.
- Tap Split. CapCut's guide says it's usually shown as a pair of scissors.
- You now have two clips. Tap either one to trim it with the handles at its edges, or delete it.
This works the same on iPhone and Android, according to CapCut's own walkthrough.
Splitting tools in CapCut compared
| Tool | What it does | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Split | Cuts the selected clip at the playhead | Toolbar above the timeline, desktop and mobile |
| Delete left | Removes the part to the left of the playhead after splitting | Desktop toolbar |
| Delete right | Removes the part to the right | Desktop toolbar |
| Split scenes | Automatically divides a video into separate scenes | Right-click a clip on desktop |
| Split subtitle | Cuts a caption block in two | Ctrl+B or Cmd+B on desktop, or right-click |
Let CapCut find the scene changes
For long footage, CapCut's desktop editor can do the cutting for you. Right-click a clip on the timeline and choose Split scenes. CapCut's guide says it automatically divides the video into separate scenes within seconds. It's useful for screen recordings, event footage or anything with obvious changes of shot. You'll still want to check each cut, but it saves a lot of scrubbing.
Your audio splits too
This is what catches people. CapCut says splitting a video also divides its audio track at the same point. That's usually what you want, but if you've got background music on the same clip, deleting a piece removes that bit of music too. Keep music on its own track below the video so you can cut the footage freely without chopping up the soundtrack.
The good news: CapCut says splitting doesn't reduce quality, because it only divides the clip and doesn't re-render or compress it during the edit. Your footage stays at its original quality until you export.
Fixing a split you didn't mean
Cut in the wrong place? CapCut says you can undo any action with the Undo button or Ctrl + Z. Undo straight away rather than trying to stretch the clips back together, which is fiddly. CapCut's FAQ also mentions you can merge clips back together if needed, but a quick undo is far simpler when you've only just made the cut and haven't moved anything else around yet.
Split captions with a shortcut
If you use auto captions, you can split a caption block too. On desktop, CapCut's help says to place the playhead inside the subtitle block where you want the split and press Ctrl+B on Windows or Cmd+B on a Mac, or right-click the subtitle and choose Split. Make sure the subtitle block is selected first; CapCut lists clicking outside it as a common reason the split doesn't work.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Editing tips for short social videos
- Cut every pause longer than a breath. Short videos live or die on pace, and viewers notice dead air far more than you'd think.
- Split before and after a key line so you can add text or a zoom to just that moment.
- Use Delete left at the very start to remove the bit where you reach for the record button.
- Split at a beat in the music for cuts that feel deliberate.
Splitting pairs well with other effects. My guide to freeze frames in CapCut uses a split to isolate the moment you want to hold. And if you're cutting for YouTube Shorts, check how long a Short can be before you trim to length.
My verdict
Select, playhead, Split. That's the whole move on any device, with Delete left and right on desktop to tidy up fast. Keep music on its own track, use Split scenes for long footage, and lean on Ctrl + Z when a cut lands in the wrong place. It's the edit that makes a video feel professional, and once it's in your fingers you'll wonder how you ever edited without it.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Split button in CapCut?
In the toolbar just above the timeline. On mobile it's usually shown as a pair of scissors.
Does splitting a clip in CapCut lose quality?
No. CapCut says it only divides the clip and doesn't re-render or compress it during the edit.
Does splitting also cut the audio?
Yes. CapCut says the audio track is divided at the same point.
Can CapCut split clips automatically?
On desktop, right-click a clip and choose Split scenes to divide a video into separate scenes.
How do I undo a split in CapCut?
Use the Undo button or press Ctrl + Z.
