How To Blur Background On CapCut: A Step-by-Step Guide

Video editing has become something most of us do, whether it’s for social media, YouTube, or even small business promotions.

One effect that instantly makes a video look more professional is a blurred background.

It draws attention to the subject, hides distractions, and gives your video that polished, cinematic vibe.

The good news? You don’t need expensive software to do it. With CapCut, you can blur backgrounds in just a few taps.

I’ve tested different ways of doing this inside CapCut, and in this guide, I’ll walk you through everything step by step.

Why Blur the Background in CapCut?

Before we get into the “how,” it helps to know why blurring a background is so useful.

Highlight your subject: A blurred background makes sure the focus stays on you or your main subject.
Cover distractions: If your video was shot in a messy room, a blur instantly fixes that problem.
Look more professional: Background blur mimics the look of DSLR cameras and makes content look high-quality.
Create consistency: If you’re making branded content, a blur helps keep your background simple and less distracting.

How do I Blur the Background on CapCut?

There are a few different ways to achieve a blurred background in CapCut. Which one you use depends on the type of video you’re editing and the look you want.

Method 1: Blur the Background of Your Entire Clip

This is the easiest option if you want to keep your subject sharp and blur everything behind them.

Open CapCut and create a new project.
Import your video that you want to edit.
Duplicate your video layer: Tap on the video in the timeline, then select Copy. You’ll now have two layers of the same video.
Move the copied video below the original layer so that one is stacked on top of the other.
Apply blur to the bottom layer: Select the bottom video, go to Effects > Blur > Gaussian Blur (or Basic Blur).
Resize the blurred layer: Expand the blurred layer so it covers the entire screen.
Keep the top layer unblurred: That’s your clear subject, while the bottom creates the blurred background.

This method gives you a clean blurred backdrop while keeping the subject in focus.

Method 2: Use Background Remover + Blur

CapCut has a built-in Background Remover tool that works surprisingly well.

Import your video into CapCut.
Select the video clip in the timeline.
Go to Cutout > Remove Background. CapCut will automatically separate your subject from the background.
Now, create a new background layer: Add a solid color, image, or video.
Apply a blur effect to that background.
Adjust the intensity of the blur until it looks natural.

This method is great if you want complete control—like replacing your background entirely with a blurred photo or custom backdrop.

Method 3: Blur Just a Part of the Screen

Sometimes you don’t need the whole background blurred—maybe just a face, brand logo, or a corner of your video.

Import your video.
Go to Effects > Video Effects > Blur.
Tap on the effect and choose Mask.
Use the shape (circle, rectangle, etc.) to apply blur only to a certain part of the frame.
Adjust the feathering so the blur blends smoothly.

This is perfect for hiding personal details in your video (like license plates or street signs) while keeping everything else clear.

Pro Tips for Better Background Blur in CapCut

Don’t overdo it: Too much blur can look fake. A subtle blur often looks more natural.
Check lighting: If your subject and background blend together, the blur may not stand out. Good lighting makes a huge difference.
Use masking creatively: For more control, layer multiple blur effects with different masks.
Preview before exporting: Sometimes blur effects look fine in editing but too heavy once exported. Always check playback before finishing.

FAQs

Is background blur free in CapCut?

Yes. All the blur effects and tools mentioned here are included in the free version of CapCut.

Does background remover work on all videos?

It works best when your subject is clearly visible and not blending into the background. If the video is too busy, the cutout may look messy.

Can I blur the background in CapCut on PC?

Yes. The PC version of CapCut has the same blur tools as the mobile app, and sometimes it’s even easier with a bigger screen.

Will blurring reduce video quality?

No. Blurring doesn’t reduce the resolution of your export—it just adds an effect. But if you overuse it, the video might look less natural.

Can I adjust how strong the blur is?

Absolutely. In most blur effects, you can slide the intensity bar to increase or decrease how blurry the background looks.

Wrapping It Up

Blurring the background on CapCut is a quick way to give your videos a professional upgrade. Whether you use the simple duplicate-and-blur method, the background remover, or selective masking, each option lets you control how polished your video looks.

If you haven’t tried it yet, start with the duplicate method—it’s the easiest—and then experiment with the other techniques as you get comfortable.

Now I’m curious: how do you plan to use background blur in your next video—will it be for storytelling, creating focus, or just hiding distractions?