> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cutaway-docs.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Export your video

> Save your finished video as a file you can upload or share.

**Exporting** turns your project into a finished video file. You can then upload it to YouTube, send it to someone, or post it anywhere.

![The Export page with Format, Frame rate, Resolution, Compression and Export to choices](https://mintcdn.com/cutaway-docs/XxDikROkCqqX_dyv/images/screens/export.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=XxDikROkCqqX_dyv\&q=85\&s=20f6c6a9c580f0deb83efe5dcaab5831)

## Export in three clicks

**1. Press Export**

It's the purple button in the top-right corner. (Shortcut: **Shift + Command + E**.)

**2. Press Export to file**

The choices already set are great for YouTube. You don't need to change anything.

**3. Choose where to save it**

Pick a folder and press **Save**. Cutaway makes your video. Keep Cutaway open until it's done.

## What the choices mean

You can leave these as they are. If you're curious:

| Choice | What it means | Best for most people |
| - | - | - |
| **Format** | The type of file. **MP4** plays everywhere. **MOV (ProRes 422)** is a huge file for professional editing. **GIF** is a small, silent, looping animation. | **MP4** |
| **Frame rate** | Pictures per second. **60 FPS** is smoother for fast movement. | **30 FPS** |
| **Resolution** | How sharp it is: **720p**, **1080p** or **4K**. Bigger is sharper, but the file is bigger. | **1080p** |
| **Compression** | How much the file is squeezed. **Studio** is the best quality and biggest. **Social Media** is what YouTube recommends. **Web** is about half the size. **Web (Low)** is the smallest. | **Social Media** |

If you pick **GIF**, the choices change. **Frame rate** is **15 FPS**, **20 FPS** or **30 FPS**, and **Resolution** is **480p**, **720p** or **1080p**. GIFs have no sound and get big fast, so keep them short.

## Where to send it

Under **Export to**:

* **File**: one video file. The usual choice.
* **Clipboard**: copy the video so you can paste it straight into a message or document.
* **YouTube package**: a folder with everything for YouTube: the video, your [thumbnail and title](https://cutaway-docs.mintlify.site/share/thumbnail-and-title.md), the description, chapters and a captions file (**captions.srt**) timed to your final cut.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **YouTube package** only works with **MP4** in the **Wide 16:9** shape. If it's greyed out, set **Format** to **MP4**, or change the shape under the preview in Edit.

## Preflight check

On the right, **Preflight** checks for problems before you export, like a missing file or not enough space on your Mac. If something needs a look, it tells you what to do.

## Share your project with someone

**Share project…** makes one file with your whole project inside. Someone else with Cutaway can open it and keep editing.

## Add a voiceover

**Voiceover…** here makes quick narration with one of your Mac's built-in voices. It's free and nothing leaves your Mac.

For a more natural voice, use **AI voiceover…** on the timeline instead: it can use **ElevenLabs** or **fal.ai** voices (with your own account) as well as your Mac's voices. See [Make a voiceover](https://cutaway-docs.mintlify.site/edit/ai-generation.md#make-a-voiceover). To use your own voice, see [Record a voiceover](https://cutaway-docs.mintlify.site/edit/music-and-sound.md#record-a-voiceover).

## Uploading

Cutaway doesn't upload anything for you. Once you've exported, go to YouTube (or anywhere else) and upload the file yourself.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.