Where to Find Overlay in CapCut PC

The Overlay button in CapCut PC sits in the left sidebar under the editing canvas. Open your project, and on the left side of the screen you will see a vertical menu with icons. Click the icon that looks like two overlapping squares — this opens the overlay panel where you can add images, text, stickers, and effects on top of your video.

If you do not see the sidebar, make sure your project is open in the editor. The overlay menu only appears when you have a video timeline loaded. You should see icons for Video, Audio, Text, Stickers, Effects, and Overlay arranged vertically. Overlay is typically the sixth or seventh option down, depending on your CapCut version.

Key Takeaways

  • The Overlay button is located in the left sidebar of the CapCut PC editor, represented by an icon of two overlapping squares.
  • You must have a project open with a video on the timeline before the overlay menu will appear.
  • Clicking Overlay opens a panel where you can browse and add images, graphics, and visual elements on top of your video.
  • Overlays are placed on a separate layer above your video, so they do not replace or edit the original footage.

What Happens When You Click Overlay

Clicking the Overlay button opens a panel on the right side of the screen showing categories of overlays you can add. You will see options like "Popular," "Trending," "Blur," "Vignette," and others depending on what CapCut has available. Each category contains different visual overlays — some are transparent effects like light leaks or film grain, others are solid graphics or frames.

To add an overlay to your video, click on the one you want. It will appear on the timeline as a new layer above your video clip. You can then resize it, reposition it, adjust its duration, and change its opacity using the editing tools that appear when the overlay is selected on the timeline.

Overlay vs. Other Editing Tools in the Left Sidebar

CapCut PC has several editing tools in the left sidebar, and it is straightforward to confuse them. Text adds words to your video. Stickers adds animated or static graphics. Effects applies filters and transitions to your video clip itself. Overlay specifically adds visual layers — usually images, textures, or semi-transparent effects — that sit on top of your video without changing the video underneath.

The key difference is that overlays are separate layers. If you want to add a frame border, a light leak effect, or a watermark image, you use Overlay. If you want to add a text caption, use Text. If you want to add a bouncing emoji or animated graphic, use Stickers.

Common Reasons the Overlay Button Does Not Appear

If you cannot find the Overlay button in your left sidebar, check these things first. Make sure you have a video project open — the sidebar only shows editing tools when a project is loaded. If you see a blank canvas with no timeline, open or create a project first by importing a video file.

If your sidebar is hidden or collapsed, look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left of the editor and click it to expand the toolbar. On some screen sizes or window layouts, the sidebar may be minimized. You can also try resizing your CapCut window to make sure the sidebar has room to display all the buttons.

How to Use an Overlay Once You Find It

After you click Overlay and select the overlay you want, it appears on your timeline as a new layer. The overlay will be the same length as your video by default. To adjust it, click on the overlay clip in the timeline and drag the edges to make it shorter or longer. You can also drag the overlay layer to a different position on the timeline if you want it to appear only during a certain part of your video.

To move or resize the overlay on the canvas itself, click it in the preview window and drag it to reposition it. You will see handles around the overlay that let you resize it. Right-click on the overlay in the timeline to access options like adjusting opacity, changing the blend mode, or deleting it.

Overlay Categories and What They Do

CapCut organizes overlays into categories to help you find what you need. Blur overlays add a soft or pixelated effect over parts of your video. Vignette overlays darken the edges of your frame. Light Leak overlays add bright, colorful streaks that look like light entering the camera. Film overlays add grain or color shifts to make your video look like old film stock.

Other categories include frames, borders, and custom graphics. The available categories change depending on what CapCut has in its library and whether you have downloaded additional overlay packs. You can scroll through the categories to see what is available, and you can add multiple overlays to the same video if you want to layer effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upload my own image as an overlay?

CapCut PC does not have a direct "upload custom overlay" feature in the Overlay menu. Instead, use the Import or Media option to bring in your own image file, then drag it onto the timeline above your video clip to use it as an overlay layer. You can then resize and position it the same way you would a built-in overlay.

Why does my overlay cover the entire video when I only want it on part of it?

By default, overlays span the full length of your video. To shorten it, click the overlay on the timeline and drag the right edge inward to the point where you want it to end. The overlay will then only appear during that portion of your video.

How do I make an overlay semi-transparent?

Click the overlay on the timeline to select it, then look for an opacity or transparency slider in the editing panel on the right. Drag the slider left to make the overlay more transparent so you can see the video underneath. This is useful for subtle effects like light leaks or film grain.

Is there a difference between Overlay and Effects in CapCut PC?

Yes. Effects are filters or adjustments applied directly to your video clip — they change how the video itself looks. Overlays are separate layers placed on top of your video. Effects are permanent changes to the clip; overlays are independent layers you can move, resize, or delete without affecting the original video.

Can I delete an overlay after I add it?

Yes. Right-click on the overlay in the timeline and select Delete, or click it and press the Delete key on your keyboard. This removes the overlay without affecting your video clip underneath.