3 Easiest Ways to Cut Clips in Premiere Pro

Method 1: The Razor Tool

The Razor tool provides a direct, straightforward cutting approach ideal for beginners. It excels when creating montages or jump cuts.

Advantages: Simple and intuitive, effective for spaced-out timelines, useful for jump cuts.

Method 2: Playhead Splitting (Cmd+K / Ctrl+K)

This keyboard shortcut splits a selected clip precisely at the playhead position.

Key Features: Works seamlessly when scrubbing, Shift+Cmd+K cuts across all tracks, eliminates tool-switching delays.

Method 3: Ripple and Trim Tools

These tools trim or expand clip endpoints by hovering over edges and dragging.

Applications: Final-pass editing, Ripple delete snaps adjacent clips, multi-clip trimming.

Essential Shortcuts

• I & O: Mark in/out points
• Up & Down Arrows: Navigate between clips
• M: Create markers
• J, K, L: Playback controls