How to make a text match cut
Type a phrase, highlight a word, pick a style and press Generate. Cutlines lays out every page, locks the highlight in place and records an HD MP4 in your browser. It is free, needs no account and adds no watermark.Last updated 2026-11-11New to the effect? Start with what a text match cut is and why it works, or go straight to the match cut maker.
Step by step
1. Type your phrase
Open the Cutlines editor and type the sentence you want on screen, up to 40 characters. Short, punchy lines work best.
2. Highlight the focal word
Click the word to highlight. Click the word next to it to add it to the highlight, or click an end word to remove it. The highlight is the part that stays locked in place.
3. Pick a style preset
Choose a look such as News flash, Hacker, Notebook, Research or Hype. Each preset sets the page styles, cut sound, speed, zoom, blur and tilt in one click.
4. Choose the format
Pick 9:16 for TikTok, Reels and Shorts, 1:1 for feeds, or 16:9 for YouTube and presentations, then pick MP4 or WebM.
5. Preview and fine-tune
Press play to preview. Open Advanced settings to change cuts per second, duration, final-frame hold, zoom, blur, tilt, speed ramp, highlight colour or to paste your own filler text. Press R to shuffle the page layouts.
6. Generate and download
Press Generate. Cutlines records the video in real time in your browser (a 4-second clip takes about 4 seconds), then click Download. Keep the tab in front while it records.
Recommended settings by platform
- TikTok: 9:16, 1080p, 3 to 4 seconds, 12 to 16 cuts per second, hold the last frame for about 0.8 seconds.
- Instagram Reels and Stories: 9:16, 1080p, 4 seconds. Keep the phrase short so it stays clear of the caption and buttons.
- YouTube Shorts: 9:16, 1080p. A speed ramp works well as an opener before you cut to camera.
- YouTube, slides and LinkedIn: 16:9 or 1:1 at 1080p, slightly slower at 8 to 10 cuts per second.
Tips for a better match cut
- Highlight one to four words. Anything longer is hard to read at speed.
- Use a speed ramp before a reveal; use a steady rhythm under music.
- Match the preset to the topic: News flash for current events, Research for facts, Hacker for tech, Hype for launches.
- Paste your own article or script as filler text so the pages are on-topic when someone pauses the video.
- Turn the blur down for a crisp, poster-like look, or up to push attention onto the centre line.
- Export a few versions with different shuffles (press R) and keep the one with the best final page.
Troubleshooting
- The export stops or is choppy: keep the Cutlines tab visible and in front while it records. Browsers slow down background tabs.
- There is no MP4 option: Firefox records WebM only. Use Chrome, Edge or Safari for MP4, or convert the WebM in your editor.
- No sound in the file: check that a cut sound is selected (not “No sound”). Preview mute does not affect the export.
- The text looks small: shorten the phrase or raise the zoom in Advanced settings.