B-roll is any footage that isn't your main shot, usually covering the voice of someone talking. It's one of the most powerful tools in YouTube editing and one of the most misused. Here's how to think about it.
What b-roll is for
To show, not just tell
If you're talking about a product, a place or a process, showing it is clearer than describing it. That's the main purpose: making what you say visible.
To cover cuts
When you cut a sentence out of a talking-head shot, the jump can be jarring. B-roll over the cut hides it and keeps the flow smooth.
To add rhythm
A long single shot gets tiring. Cutting to b-roll gives the eye something new and resets attention.
To set a mood
Establishing shots, slow-motion details, atmospheric footage. These create a feel and give the video breathing room.
When to cut to b-roll
- When you mention something the viewer can see.
- When there's a jump cut you want to hide.
- When a section is long and visually static.
- When moving from one section to the next.
And when not to: during emotional or personal moments, where the speaker's face carries the message. Cutting away mid-story can break the connection.
Types of b-roll
Original footage
Footage you shoot yourself: your workspace, hands doing the task, the product, the location. The most authentic and the most valuable, because nobody else has it.
Screen recordings
For tech, software, finance and education channels, screen captures are often the main b-roll. Zoom in so details are readable.
Stock footage
Useful for concepts you can't film. The risk is genericness. A smiling person on a laptop could be in any video. Pick clips that match the exact line, from licensed sources.
Archival and screenshots
News articles, posts, historical footage, images. Animate them with zooms and highlights, and check you have the right to use them.
Graphics as b-roll
Charts, simple animations and text callouts can replace b-roll when there's nothing literal to show.
How to shoot b-roll editors love
- Shoot more than you think you need. Editors run out of b-roll far more often than they have too much.
- Hold each shot. Five to ten seconds of steady footage, even if only two get used.
- Get variety. Wide, medium and close-up of the same thing.
- Add movement. Slow pans, slides and push-ins look more dynamic than locked-off shots.
- Shoot details. Hands, textures, screens, small actions. Versatile and good-looking.
- Label it. A simple folder structure saves your editor hours of searching.
Common b-roll mistakes
- Literal overkill. Showing a clock every time someone says "time".
- Too much stock. Generic stock everywhere makes a video feel low-effort.
- Mismatched footage. B-roll that doesn't quite match what's said confuses people.
- Bad timing. B-roll that arrives a beat late or leaves too early.
- Covering the face constantly. Viewers want to see the person sometimes.
B-roll and retention
Viewers often drop off when a video becomes visually static or when the topic shifts without a visual cue. Check where your retention graph dips and see whether those moments were long, unbroken talking-head sections. It's a common pattern and a straightforward fix.
Building a b-roll library
If you film regularly, build a library of reusable b-roll: your office, products, city, hands typing. Tag it by subject. Your editor can pull from it for every video, which saves time and gives your channel a consistent look.
B-roll for different channel types
Talking-head educators
Screen recordings, diagrams, simple graphics and a few shots of your workspace. The goal is clarity.
Vlogs and lifestyle
Lots of original footage: places, details, moments. B-roll is often the main event rather than a support.
Reviews and tech
Clean product shots, close-ups of features, the product in use. Good lighting matters more than fancy gear.
Business and finance
Charts, headlines, screen captures and a limited amount of well-chosen stock. Avoid generic office footage.
Briefing b-roll to your editor
If you have specific shots in mind, mark them in the script or send notes with timestamps: "show the dashboard here", "use the drone shot of the street". If you don't, tell your editor what kind of visuals suit your channel and let them propose. Either way, a quick note on what you don't want, like cheesy stock or certain brands, saves revisions.
Licensing basics
Stock libraries have different licences. Some cover commercial and monetised use, some don't, and some restrict use in ads. Keep a record of where each clip came from and under which licence, especially for client work. For screenshots and news footage, think about whether you have the right to use them and keep usage brief and transformative. When in doubt, shoot your own or choose a cleared alternative.
Related guides
Part of our long form YouTube series. See talking-head editing, editing YouTube intros and faceless YouTube editing. Check our work or send an enquiry.