How do I make my clip stand out on TikTok, Reels and Shorts?

Put your clip on the hook, pick a style that suits a tall screen, and turn the energy up.

1. Put your clip on the best moment

1. Open Your clip. On a computer it’s the bracket on the timeline under the preview, and its name opens the menu. On a phone, tap the Clip tab.
2. Tap Whole chorus, or pick a part under Jump to, such as 'Chorus 1'.
3. Or pick a length: 15 s suits a hook, 30 s a chorus. The longest is 60 s.
4. Drag the clip to fine-tune it. It snaps to the beat and the phrases, so it never starts or ends mid-word.

The first seconds matter most. Start the clip right on the line people will remember.

2. Pick a style that suits a tall screen

These look great in 9:16:

• Deck: one to three huge words at a time, right in the middle.
• Xerox: torn paper strips over a halftone portrait of your cover that fills the tall frame.
• Marker: big hand-lettered words, one to three to a row.

3. Turn it up

• Energy: open More and pick Hype ('Bigger, punchier movement on the beat').
• Big words: fewer hit harder. In More, open Big words and keep one on the lines that matter. With big words on most lines, you’ll see 'Fewer big words hit harder.'
• Colour: try Pop (dark, with one bright colour that stands out).

4. Check it in 9:16

• On a computer: See it as › 9:16 Shorts, and Play › Your clip.
• On a phone or tablet: Format › 9:16 Shorts. The preview loops your clip.
• Watch it with the sound on, a few times through, as your followers will.

Good to know

• The 9:16 download is your clip, 1080×1920, from 5 to 60 seconds.
• One clip comes free with the full video: HD £4.99$5.99€5.99CA$8.99A$8.99 (500 credits) or 4K £6.99$7.99€7.99CA$11.99A$11.99 (700). A clip on its own is £1.49$1.79€1.79CA$2.69A$2.69 (150 credits), and your first clip is free if your account got the welcome offer.
• Want a second clip from the same song, say a later chorus? Each extra clip is £0.99$1.19€1.19CA$1.79A$1.79 (100 credits). See Can I get more than one clip from a song?
• Styles keep your lyrics clear of the app’s buttons and captions. See Will TikTok, Reels or Shorts buttons cover my lyrics?
• Trying styles, colours, energy and clip windows is always free.
• Ready to post? See How do I post my clip on TikTok, Reels and Shorts?
• Promoting an AI-made song? Use our AI music promotion guide to plan the clips and posts around your release.

Hidden extras

• The style cards follow your clip: once you’ve moved it, each card shows its first sung line in that style.
• Press F on a computer to flip between 16:9 and 9:16 without losing your place.