CapCut for PC has rapidly become a popular video-editing tool due to its intuitive interface and powerful features. Whether you’re creating content for social media, YouTube, or professional marketing purposes, it’s essential to know how to manipulate your videos to fit different formats and screens—this involves learning how to stretch, resize, or adjust videos to achieve the perfect fit. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to stretch video in CapCut PC step-by-step, so you can make your content look flawless on any platform.
What Does “Stretching” a Video Mean?
In video editing, “stretching” refers to changing the dimensions of a video clip. This could mean:
- Filling black bars caused by aspect ratio differences
- Adapting to vertical or horizontal orientations (like for TikTok or YouTube)
- Zooming into footage while sacrificing a bit of quality
Stretching isn’t just about visuals—it can significantly affect your video’s composition and how your audience perceives it.
Step-by-Step Guide to Stretch Video in CapCut PC
1. Open CapCut and Start a New Project
Once CapCut is launched:
- Click on “New Project”
- Import your video by selecting it from your files
- Drag the video into the timeline
2. Adjust the Output Ratio
CapCut offers various aspect ratios suited for different platforms such as 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, and more. To change it:
- Click on the “Ratio” icon on the top menu
- Select the desired format (for example, 9:16 for TikTok or 16:9 for YouTube)
Based on the ratio adjustment, black bars might appear. Here’s where stretching comes in.
3. Manually Stretch the Video
To fill those black bars or adjust the video:
- Click on the video clip in the timeline to select it
- Navigating to the preview window, click on the video display box
- A frame will appear around your video. Drag the corners outward to stretch it
You can also drag from the sides to stretch horizontally or vertically only. Be mindful: overstretching can cause distortion.
4. Use the “Edit” Panel for Precision
For more accurate control, use the built-in values within CapCut’s Edit panel:
- Click on the video clip
- Select the “Edit” tab on the right panel
- Adjust Scale and Position to stretch or reposition the video
Playing around with the Scale X and Scale Y values will let you stretch along either axis independently.
5. Preview and Export
Once you’re satisfied:
- Click on the Play button to preview your stretched video
- If everything looks good, click Export in the top-right corner
- Choose your format, resolution, and framerate
- Click Export again to save your video
Tips for Better Video Stretching
To enhance your stretching process and minimize quality loss, consider these tips:
- Use high-resolution source footage — This gives you more flexibility to zoom or stretch with less degradation.
- Try background blur — Sometimes, instead of stretching, a blurred duplicate in the background looks more professional while retaining focus.
- Avoid over-stretching faces or objects — Distorted proportions can look unappealing or unintentional.
When Should You Stretch?
Not every video needs to be stretched. However, here are scenarios when it’s beneficial:
- Converting landscape videos for vertical platforms like Instagram Reels or TikTok
- Filling screen gaps on widescreen displays
- Creating UI mockups or commercials where full-screen display matters
Balance is key—too much stretching affects visual clarity, while too little may break immersion for your viewers.
Conclusion
Stretching a video in CapCut PC is straightforward once you understand the key tools and features. Whether you’re producing casual content or professional-grade media, mastering stretching techniques ensures your videos stand out across all digital platforms.
With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to manipulate dimensions, scales, and compositions without breaking a sweat. CapCut makes these processes accessible—even if you’re new to video editing.
