What an overlay is and where to find it in CapCut

An overlay in CapCut is a layer of video, image, or text that sits on top of your main footage. It can be a watermark, a lower-third graphic with names or titles, a shape, a blur effect, or even another video clip playing simultaneously. Overlays let you add information or visual interest without replacing what's underneath.

CapCut for PC stores overlays in the Effects panel on the left side of the editor. You reach them by opening a project, then clicking the Effects button (it looks like a wand or sparkle icon) in the left toolbar. From there you can browse built-in overlays, upload your own image or video file, or create a shape overlay from scratch.

Key Takeaways

  • Overlays sit on top of your main video and can be images, videos, text, shapes, or effects that you layer into your timeline.
  • The Effects panel on the left side of CapCut PC is where you find, search, and add overlays to your project.
  • You can drag overlays directly onto your timeline, then resize and reposition them using the handles on the canvas.
  • Overlays can be made transparent, moved to specific frames, and adjusted in length so they appear only when you need them.
  • You can upload your own image or video file as an overlay instead of using CapCut's built-in library.

Opening the Effects panel and browsing overlays

Start with a project already open in CapCut PC. Look at the left side of the screen where you see buttons stacked vertically. Click the Effects button — it usually shows a wand or sparkle icon. The Effects panel will open and show you categories like Stickers, Filters, and Overlays.

Click on the Overlays category to see what's available. You'll see thumbnails of different overlay styles: light leaks, film grain, vignettes, geometric shapes, glitch effects, and more. Scroll through to find one that matches your video's mood. Each overlay shows a small preview when you hover over it.

Dragging an overlay onto your timeline

Once you've found an overlay you want to use, drag it directly onto your main video in the timeline at the bottom of the screen. You can drop it anywhere along the length of your video. CapCut will automatically create a new layer above your main footage and place the overlay there.

The overlay will appear on your canvas (the preview window in the center) when ready. If it covers the entire screen or looks too large, don't worry — you'll resize it in the next step. The overlay will play for the same length as your main video by default, but you can shorten it later if you only want it to appear for part of your video.

Resizing and repositioning your overlay

Click on the overlay in the timeline to select it. On the canvas, you'll see the overlay with small square handles at the corners and edges. Drag any corner handle to resize the overlay while keeping its proportions. Drag an edge handle to stretch it in one direction only.

To move the overlay to a different position on the screen, click and drag it directly on the canvas. You can place it in a corner, center it, or position it anywhere else you need. If you want to rotate it, look for a rotation handle (usually a curved arrow) and drag it to turn the overlay at an angle.

Adjusting transparency and duration

Select the overlay in the timeline and look for the Opacity slider in the right panel. Drag it left to make the overlay more transparent so your main video shows through more clearly. This is useful if you want a subtle watermark or a light effect that doesn't overpower your footage.

To change how long the overlay appears, click and drag the right edge of the overlay's timeline bar. Drag it left to make it shorter, so it disappears before your video ends. Drag it right to extend it. You can also click on the overlay in the timeline and use the trim handles to set exactly where it starts and stops.

Uploading your own image or video as an overlay

If you want to use a file from your computer instead of CapCut's built-in overlays, open the Effects panel and look for an upload or import button — this is usually a plus sign or folder icon near the top of the Overlays section. Click it and browse to the image or video file on your computer.

Select the file and click Open. CapCut will add it to your overlays panel, and you can then drag it onto your timeline just like any other overlay. This works with PNG images (which support transparency), JPG images, MP4 videos, and most common video formats. If your image has a transparent background, CapCut will preserve that transparency.

Stacking multiple overlays and adjusting layer order

You can add more than one overlay to the same video. Drag a second overlay onto your timeline and it will create another layer. If overlays are stacked on top of each other, you can control which one appears in front by changing the layer order in the timeline.

Click on an overlay in the timeline and look for layer ordering buttons in the right panel — usually arrows pointing up and down. Click the up arrow to move that overlay forward (so it appears on top), or the down arrow to move it backward. This lets you layer multiple effects, watermarks, or graphics in the exact order you want them to appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make an overlay appear only on part of my video?

Yes. Select the overlay in the timeline and drag the edges of its bar to shorten it. You can also drag the entire bar left or right to move when it starts and stops. This way the overlay appears only during the frames you want.

How do I remove an overlay I don't want?

Click on the overlay in the timeline to select it, then press the Delete key on your keyboard. The overlay will be removed from your video when ready. You can undo this with Ctrl+Z if you change your mind.

What file types work for custom overlays?

PNG, JPG, MP4, and MOV files all work. PNG is best if your overlay has a transparent background, because CapCut will preserve that transparency. Video files like MP4 let you use moving overlays instead of static images.

Why does my overlay look blurry or pixelated?

This usually happens when you stretch a small image to a much larger size. Use an overlay image that's already high resolution, or keep it closer to its original size. If you're uploading your own file, make sure it's at least 1080 pixels wide for best results.

Can I animate an overlay or make it fade in and out?

CapCut has animation and transition options for overlays. Select the overlay, then look for the Animations button in the right panel. You can add effects like fade-in, slide, or zoom. You can also add transitions at the start or end of the overlay to make it appear or disappear smoothly.