# How to cut a video to the beat

> Cut a video to the beat by hand with markers or automatically with beat sync. Steps, the beat maths for 90, 120 and 140 BPM, and which tools do it.
- **Author**: Marxx
- **Published**: 2026-11-09
- **Category**: Video editing
- **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-guides/how-to-cut-video-to-the-beat

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Find the beats in your track, then cut on them: every beat, or every second or fourth beat. Do it by hand with markers, or let a beat sync tool place the cuts.

## By hand

1. Import the music and play it.
2. Press the marker key on each beat you want to cut on. Every fourth beat is a good start.
3. Place each clip's cut on a marker.
4. Play it back and nudge any cut that feels early or late.

## With beat sync

Checked 3 Nov 2026.

| Tool | Where | Note |
|---|---|---|
| CapCut | Click AI in the top toolbar, or Edit > AI Tools > Auto Cut, then choose Beat Sync | Desktop and mobile. You can set sensitivity, minimum clip duration and transition style, then click Apply or Generate |
| Final Cut Pro | Beat Detection | Listed on Apple's India page, which gives no click path |
| Filmora | Auto Beat Sync | Named in its navigation, with no description |

CapCut is not officially available in India: it is not on the Indian App Store, and its pricing page shows no plans to visitors from India (checked 3 Nov 2026).

[Marxx's AI video editor](/features/ai-video-editor) detects beats and tempo so you can cut on the beat. Beat sync is on the Match plan, $29 a month at launch prices (checked 3 Nov 2026). We make Marxx.

## The formula

Seconds per beat = 60 / BPM

BPM means beats per minute. Your music app or editor shows it for a track.

## A worked example

Say your track is 120 BPM. One beat lasts 60 / 120 = 0.5 seconds. Cut on every fourth beat and you cut every 2 seconds. A 20-second ad then has 10 cuts.

| Tempo | One beat | A cut every 4 beats |
|---|---|---|
| 90 BPM | 0.67 s | 2.67 s |
| 120 BPM | 0.50 s | 2.00 s |
| 140 BPM | 0.43 s | 1.71 s |

A faster track gives faster cuts. Pick the tempo that fits your product and your story.

## Mistakes to avoid

- Cutting on every beat, which at 120 BPM is a cut every half second
- Using a track you may not use in an ad. Meta's spec page for Reels ads says Reels ads cannot use licensed music
- Letting the beat decide a cut that hides the product
- Skipping a play-through with the sound on

For the whole ad, see [how to make Reels ads](/guides/how-to-make-reels-ads). To layer effects on the cuts, see [how to add sound effects to Reels ads](/guides/how-to-add-sound-effects-to-reels). To keep the voice clear over the music, see [how to duck music under a voiceover](/guides/how-to-duck-music-under-voiceover). To compare more apps, see [best beat sync video apps](/best/best-beat-sync-video-apps).

## FAQ

### What is beat sync?

It places your cuts on the beats of a music track, so the picture changes in time with the music.

### Is beat sync free in CapCut?

CapCut's Auto Cut page names no version and does not say whether it is free or Pro (checked 3 Nov 2026). CapCut is not officially available in India.

### Should I cut on every beat?

You can, but at 120 BPM that is a cut every 0.5 seconds, which is hard to follow. Try every second or fourth beat first.

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