CapCut Text to Speech: How to Add a Voiceover From Text
Quick answer: Add a text layer, select it, choose Text to speech, pick a voice and generate. CapCut lists more than 200 AI voices, lets you set the speed and volume, and says the audio may be used commercially under its terms. It needs an internet connection, because the voice is generated in the cloud.
How this page earns: this site is an independent affiliate of CapCut, and we earn a commission if you buy CapCut Pro through our CapCut link, at no extra cost to you (disclosure). The steps and figures come from CapCut's text to speech page and help centre, linked at the end. We make no claim about how natural the voices sound, because we ran no listening test.
How do I use text to speech in CapCut?
The feature works on text layers, so the text has to be in the project first. The steps differ a little by version.
Desktop app (from CapCut's text to speech page):
- Create a project and import your video.
- Go to Text, then Add text, and type or paste your script.
- Open the Text to speech panel and choose a voice.
- Click Generate speech.
- Export when the video is finished.
Web editor:
- Open CapCut on the web and choose AI tools, then Text to speech.
- Type or paste the text.
- Select a voice style, tone and language.
- Preview the voice for 5 seconds, then click Generate.
- Download the audio or use it in your project.
Phone app (from the help centre): tap Text and add your text, tap the text layer on the timeline, select Text to speech from the bottom menu, choose a voice and tap Generate.
Write the script for the ear. Short sentences, one idea each, and spell out anything a voice could misread: prices, street numbers, abbreviations and unusual names.
Which voices and languages does it have?
CapCut says its library has more than 200 AI voices, sorted by gender, age, style and language. The languages it names include Chinese, Malay, Vietnamese, Thai, English, Spanish and Japanese, with more on the list.
After generating, you can change the speech rate and the volume, add a fade in or fade out, and reduce background noise. Generating the same script in two or three voices and keeping the best is a normal way to work.
| Setting | What CapCut lists |
|---|---|
| Voices | More than 200 |
| Controls | Speed, pitch, volume, fades |
| Voice preview on web | 5 seconds |
| Audio download formats | AAC, FLAC, MP3, WAV |
Can I use the voiceover in an ad or a monetised video?
CapCut says yes. The FAQ on its text to speech page states that generated audio can be used for commercial purposes such as ads, YouTube videos and brand promotions, provided you comply with CapCut's terms of use and the platform's guidelines.
That covers the voice. It does not cover anything else in the edit. Library music, stickers, fonts and templates each have their own licence mark, explained in our guide to CapCut commercial use rules.
Can I make it sound like me?
CapCut describes a custom voice option: you record a few sentences of your own voice, and it builds a voice you can then use for narration from text. For a business owner or an artist, that keeps one consistent voice across videos without a recording session each time.
Only do this with your own voice. Recording someone else, or imitating a known voice, raises consent and legal questions that no editing app settles for you.
Why is text to speech not working?
CapCut's troubleshooting page lists five causes:
- No connection or a slow one. The voice is generated in the cloud. Switch networks and try again.
- Unsupported language or voice. Choose a voice that matches the language of the text.
- No text layer selected. The feature only works on a text layer; select it first.
- An outdated version or a temporary bug. Update the app and try again.
- The audio is there but silent. It may be muted, or sitting outside the range of the timeline you are playing.
Is it free?
CapCut's page calls the tool free. CapCut also lists premium voiceovers among the things AI credits pay for, so some voices may cost credits. The export screen tells you: if the project uses something paid, it asks for a subscription before saving.
Pro includes 1,200 credits a month for AI features, and new subscribers in supported regions get a 7-day trial. If voiceover is a regular part of your videos, see what CapCut Pro includes, and read where the free plan stops.
When is a recorded voice the better choice?
When the voice is the point. A local business is often chosen because of the person behind it, and a customer who calls will hear that person. Thirty seconds recorded on a phone in a quiet room, with captions added, usually serves a shop better than a polished synthetic read.
Text to speech earns its place for the other cases: a quick explainer, a list of opening hours, narration in a language you do not speak well, or a video where nobody wants to be recorded. Add captions either way; our auto captions guide has the steps.
Primary sources
- CapCut: Text to speech
- CapCut help: Text to speech not working
- CapCut help: How can I use the credits?
- CapCut help: Why am I prompted to join Pro?
- CapCut pricing page
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Frequently asked questions
How do I do text to speech on CapCut?
Add a text layer to your project and type or paste the script. Select the text, open Text to speech, choose a voice and generate. On the web you can also open AI tools, choose Text to speech, preview a voice for 5 seconds and download the audio. An internet connection is required.
How many voices does CapCut text to speech have?
CapCut says its text to speech library has more than 200 AI voices, sorted by gender, age, style and language. Named languages include English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Malay. You can adjust the speed and the volume after generating, and try the same script in several voices.
Can I use CapCut text to speech for commercial videos?
CapCut's text to speech page says generated audio can be used for commercial purposes such as ads, YouTube videos and brand promotions, as long as you follow CapCut's terms of use and platform guidelines. Other library items in the same video, such as music and stickers, have their own licence marks.
Why is CapCut text to speech not working?
CapCut lists five causes: no or slow internet, an unsupported language or voice, no text layer selected, an app or browser glitch, and audio that was generated but is muted or outside the timeline range. Check the connection first, select the text layer, then update the app.
Can I export only the audio from CapCut text to speech?
Yes. CapCut says its text to speech tool lets you download the generated audio, and lists four formats: AAC, FLAC, MP3 and WAV. That makes it usable outside the editor, for example as narration in another project, subject to the same terms of use.