How to Cut in Premiere Pro (3 Easy Ways)

Trying to figure out how to cut a clip in Premiere Pro? Whether you're trimming out mistakes or splitting a long video into smaller chunks, knowing how to make clean cuts is one of the first skills you'll want to lock down.

The good news? It’s super simple once you know where the tools are. I’ll walk you through three easy ways to cut your clips so you can get back to editing without the guesswork.

1. Use the Razor Tool

This is probably the most direct way to cut a clip.

1. First, select the Razor Tool from your toolbar (it looks like a little razor blade).
2. Or hit C on your keyboard (both Windows and Mac) to activate it.
3. Click anywhere on your clip in the timeline where you want it cut.
4. Now you’ve got two separate clips that can be moved or deleted individually.

If you're working with multiple layers, make sure you're cutting on the right track. You can click across different layers if needed.

2. Use the Keyboard Shortcut

If you’re all about speed, this method is for you.

1. Select the clip in your timeline.
2. Move your playhead exactly where you want the cut.
3. Hit Ctrl + K (Windows) or Cmd + K (Mac).

This splits the selected clip right at the playhead without needing to switch tools. It’s perfect when you’re doing lots of cuts quickly and don’t want to keep jumping between tools.

3. Trim Clips by Dragging

Sometimes you don’t need a full-on cut, just a quick trim at the beginning or end of a clip.

1. Hover over either edge of a clip until you see a red bracket with an arrow.
2. Click and drag inward to shorten it.
3. This doesn’t split it into two parts, but it’s great for cleaning up extra footage at the start or end.

It’s especially handy when you're tightening up dialogue or cutting out dead space between scenes.

Wrap-Up

Cutting in Premiere Pro is one of those things that feels tricky at first but becomes second nature fast. Whether you're using the Razor Tool, keyboard shortcuts, or just trimming by dragging, you've got options depending on what kind of edit you're doing.

Once you've got this down, you'll be flying through your timeline way faster than before.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cut a clip in Premiere Pro?

You can cut a clip using the Razor Tool or keyboard shortcut. Select the Razor Tool (or press C) and click where you want to split. Or move your playhead and press Ctrl + K (Windows) or Cmd + K (Mac) for a quick cut.

How to cut something out in Premiere Pro?

1. Split the clip using Razor Tool or shortcut
2. Select the unwanted section
3. Press Delete on your keyboard
4. Use Ripple Delete if needed to close gaps

This removes any part of a clip cleanly from your timeline.

What button is cut in Premiere Pro?

The shortcut for cutting at the playhead is Ctrl + K on Windows or Cmd + K on Mac. For manual cuts with your mouse, press C to switch to the Razor Tool and click directly on your clip.

How is a clip split?

To split a clip:

1. Move playhead where you want the split
2. Select clip layer
3. Press Ctrl + K (Windows) or Cmd + K (Mac)

This divides one clip into two separate pieces that can be edited individually.