How to Create a Duet on TikTok？

What Is a TikTok Duet

TikTok duets represent a captivating and highly engaging video format available on the app. At its core, this format ingeniously places your own video right next to someone else’s, creating a side-by-side visual experience that instantly draws viewers in. This layout not only makes for an interesting visual contrast but also sets the stage for a dynamic interaction between two separate pieces of content.

When it comes to the playback of duets, the magic truly unfolds. In the final version of a duet video, the new video you’ve created and the existing video from another user play simultaneously. This concurrent playback allows for a seamless integration of different ideas, styles, and performances, resulting in a combined viewing experience that is greater than the sum of its parts. What’s more, the creative possibilities for editing duets are vast. You have the ability to enhance your duet videos by adding overlay text, which can be used to convey additional context, humorous captions, or engaging commentary. Voiceovers provide an opportunity to add your own narrative, whether it’s to explain your reactions, tell a related story, or simply add a personal touch. Incorporating music can completely transform the mood of the duet, making it more energetic, emotional, or whimsical depending on the track you choose. And with a wide array of filters available, you can give your duet a unique visual style, matching it to the theme or atmosphere you want to create.

The uses of TikTok duets are incredibly diverse and full of fun potential. For instance, they serve as an excellent means to participate in musical challenges that are popular on the platform. By duetting with the original challenge video, you can showcase your own musical talent, whether it’s singing, playing an instrument, or adding your own choreography. On a lighter note, duets can also be used to simply respond to someone else's joke with your own comical take. This back-and-forth exchange of humor can quickly go viral and spread laughter across the TikTok community. Moreover, duet videos offer an exciting avenue for fans to interact with or react to their favorite artists or creators on TikTok. It’s a chance to show your admiration, share your thoughts, and even catch the attention of those you look up to. Some accounts have even found a niche by exclusively creating reaction videos using duets. They carefully select content from other users and provide their unique reactions, which often resonates with viewers and helps build a dedicated following.

In-Depth Tutorial: How to Duet on TikTok

Step 1: Find a TikTok Video You Want to Duet

To create a duet on TikTok, the initial step is to locate a video that allows the duet feature. Not all videos have this option enabled, as it depends on the original creator’s settings.

While watching a video in the app, tap the share button (an arrow pointing to the right) on the right side of the screen. This action will prompt a popup menu to appear. In the bottom row of icons within this menu, look for the duet button (typically represented by two overlapping rectangles). Tap the duet button to proceed to the next stage of creating your duet.

If the original creator has turned off duets, this button will be grayed out and you will not be able to tap it.

Step 2: Choose a Layout

There are four different split screen layout options for duets.

Greenscreen

Side by side

Picture in picture

Top and bottom

Choose the one you want to use for your duet.

Step 3: Add a Filter

If the TikTok video you’re duetting with used a filter, TikTok will automatically apply the same filter to your duet footage—but only if the original video included filters. This creates a cohesive visual style between the two side-by-side clips.

To customize the filter, tap the filter button (usually a star or magic wand icon) in the bottom-left corner of the screen. From here, you can:

Remove the automatically applied filter by selecting the "None" option.

Browse and apply a new filter from TikTok’s extensive library, ranging from color adjustments to special effects, to match your creative vision.

Step 4: Record Your Duet

Tap the red record button to start recording your duet.

Just like creating a regular TikTok video, you have the flexibility to record your duet in a single continuous take or piece together multiple clips. By default, the maximum duration for recording your duet is set to match the length of the original TikTok video you're duetting with. This ensures that your response fits neatly alongside the original content, maintaining a balanced viewing experience.

After you've captured all the footage you want and are satisfied with your recording, simply tap the red checkmark button. This action finalizes your duet recording, allowing you to move on to the next steps of editing and enhancing your video before sharing it with the TikTok community.

Step 5: Edit Your Duet

The next page is the editor where you can perfect your duet.

Step 6: Write a Caption

After you're completely satisfied with all the edits you've made to your duet video, tap the red "Next" button located on the screen.

On the subsequent screen, you have the opportunity to craft an engaging caption, tag other users, or incorporate trending hashtags. This helps to enhance the visibility of your video and connect with a wider audience. By default, TikTok automatically populates the caption field with the text “#duet with” followed by a mention of the original video creator. This not only gives credit to the source of inspiration but also links your duet to the original content, creating a connection within the TikTok community.

Step 7: Post or Save**

Once satisfied with your edits and settings, tap "Post" to share your duet. Congratulations—you've successfully posted a TikTok duet! If you're not ready to publish, simply tap "Drafts" to save it for future sharing.

In-Depth Tutorial: How to Duet on TikTok with a Saved Video

The duet feature on TikTok is an excellent means of collaborating with in - app videos. However, when it comes to using a saved video from your phone or PC, an online video editor such as Kapwing proves to be the most suitable choice.

By following these steps, you'll be able to utilize your pre - made videos to craft engaging TikTok duets.

Step 1: Open the Collage Maker

For this tutorial, we’ll use Kapwing’s collage-making tool, a browser-based video editor. You can access it on any device—iPhone, Android, PC, or tablet—using a Chrome or Safari browser.

Step 2: Upload Your Pre-Recorded Video

Under "Start with a blank canvas," select the 1:1 aspect ratio (the square template). Unlike standard TikTok videos, TikTok duets display two vertical videos side by side within a square canvas. By choosing this template, you’ll replicate the same split-screen layout for your duet.

Click on the Add Media button on the left side then either upload your video from your device or import it from Google Drive or Photos or from a link.

Next, upload your video to the canvas and drag it to the left until the right edge of your video aligns with the center of the square canvas. It should match the red grid guidelines that appear.

Step 3: Paste a Link to the TikTok You Want to Duet

Now it's time to add the video you'll be duetting.

Find the TikTok video you want to duet with your saved video, then click the share button. Click the link button to copy the URL of the TikTok.

In Kapwing, click the "Add Media" button again. This time, paste the link to that TikTok video. Add this video to the other side of the canvas, repeating the process from the previous step to center it within the square frame.

You can drag the endpoints of each video layer to trim them, and use the split button above the timeline to divide a layer into two parts. For a quick split on your computer, press the "S" key.

Step 4: Export and Download

Once you've completed all the editing work, click on the "Export" button. Then, select your preferred video format and resolution settings to finalize the process.

Step 5: Upload Your Duet to TikTok

Open the TikTok app and press the center + button. Then, tap the upload button and find the video you created using Kapwing. From here, it’s the same steps as creating a duet in the app.

We hope this tutorial inspired you to duet on TikTok for creative collaborations with other users. Visit Kapwing on YouTube to catch the latest in creator news and TikTok trends and check out our Resources Library for more tutorials like this.