CapCut: How to Quickly Use Green Screen (Chroma Key)

In this quick tutorial, you’ll learn how to use green screens on CapCut. We’ll walk through each step in the process. With these skills, you can merge together studio footage with stunning real world scenes. Let’s get started!

Why Use a Green Screen in CapCut?

Why is green screen video useful? It’s a popular editing technique in video production, and with good reason. In short, green screens let you place the subject of a video in front of a different background. 

Want to film yourself talking while standing on the beach? Of course, you could actually go to the beach. Or, you could film a green screen video from anywhere.

Then, you can edit out the green backdrop and replace it with a new custom background. It really enhances the flexibility that you have in video production. You can create stunning visuals without having to record video “on location.”

This is especially popular for social media and online content creators. And after all: CapCut is mobile-focused! It stands out for the ability to seamlessly work with green screen footage, right from your phone. 

Now, let’s learn how to use a green screen on CapCut!

How to Use Green Screens on CapCut: Step by Step

Learning how to use green screen on CapCut features is very easy. We’ll walk through the steps below. As you work, you’ll see two stock video clips in use. Both are sourced from Envato Elements. Want to follow along with them using CapCut? Download the videos here and here. 

1. Choose Background Footage to Edit

When you have your videos chosen, begin by opening the CapCut mobile app on your device. At the bottom of your screen, you’ll see a series of four buttons. Make sure to press the one on the left: Edit. You’ll see it labeled with a small scissor icon.

When you select the Edit tab, find the blue New project box in the upper half of your screen. Go ahead and choose New project by tapping it with your finger.

CapCut will launch your video library. You’ll want to start by choosing the background video. This is not the video you recorded with a green screen. It’s the video that you’ll use for the background of your CapCut green screen edit.

Select the background video that you want to use, then press Add. CapCut now will add it to your project. 

2. Select Your Green Screen Video Footage

When you’ve chosen the background video, you’ll see it launched in your project. Below the preview and filmstrip sections, notice the series of buttons across the bottom of your screen. The next task is to add the CapCut green screen video itself. 

To do that, find the Overlay button and select it. Then, at the bottom, press Add overlay. Browse to your CapCut green screen video clip, and repeat the earlier step of selecting Add. 

Now, look at the previewed videos in the center of your screen. You’ll see that your green screen clip is now added to the project Timeline. It will sit directly below the background video that you imported first. But notice that the green screen backdrop is obscuring the video behind it. 

Not to worry. You’ll see how to use a green screen on CapCut in the next step. 

3. Apply the Chroma Key Effect to Remove the Green Screen

Now, you’ll see how to use green screens on CapCut. To remove the green screen and replace it with the background video, you will use a tool called Chroma key. It’s a smart feature that identifies and removes a solid background that you select. 

To find Chroma key, make sure to tap on the CapCut green screen video to select it. Then, scroll to the right on the toolbar menu at the bottom of your screen. Find the button labeled Remove BG and select it. Then, click Chroma key in the lower right corner.

The Chroma key menu will appear. On the video preview, you’ll see a circle with a checkerboard pattern. This circle tells CapCut the color background to identify and remove. Drag it to the left or right so that it fully encircles only a green area.

Finally, locate the Intensity slider at the bottom of your screen. By default, the intensity is 0. Boosting it is how to use green screen on CapCut footage. Drag the intensity slider to the right, and watch as the green screen vanishes! It’s that easy. Press the Checkmark icon on the right to lock in your effect. 

4. Reposition Your Overlay Footage in the Frame

Last but not least, you may need to move your original green screen footage on the video canvas. Notice here that the woman appears to be hovering over the background. 

On the Timeline, select the footage of the woman speaking by tapping once on it. You’ll see a blue outline appear on the video preview. With your finger, you can drag this overlay footage downward for a more natural look.

That’s all it takes. In moments, you’ve learned how to use green screens on CapCut. As you can see, it lets you transform green screen videos to feature the beautiful backdrop of your choice. And it only takes a few fast steps. 

Now Practice CapCut Green Screen Features

Today, you learned how to use a green screen on CapCut. As you saw, it’s remarkably easy and efficient. Thanks to the Chroma key feature, you can remove green screen backdrops with the touch of a button. Then, you can effortlessly move footage into place, relative to your background footage.

Using green screens unlocks a new world of possibilities for your video edits. Merge together real world and cinematic footage seamlessly. Now, it’s your turn to practice!