How to Cut a Clip in Premiere Pro (3 Fast Methods)

Cutting clips is one of the most repeated actions in any Premiere Pro edit. Whether you are trimming dead air from the beginning of a shot or removing a stumbled sentence from the middle, the process is the same: split the clip at a precise point, then remove the unwanted section. This guide covers three methods to make that cut, plus how to close the gap afterward so your timeline stays clean.

What “Cutting a Clip” Actually Does in Premiere Pro

Cutting a clip in Premiere Pro splits it into two separate cclips at the position of the playhead (also called the Current Time Indicator, or CTI) on the timeline. No footage is deleted at this stage — the split simply creates an edit point you can work with. This is different from trimming, which adjusts a clip’s in or out point rather than breaking it apart.

Method 1 — Use the Razor Tool (Best for Beginners)

The Razor Tool is the most recognizable cutting method and the one most beginners reach for first. It gives you a visual, click-based way to place a cut exactly where you want it.

1. Press C on your keyboard to activate the Razor Tool, or click the razor blade icon in the toolbar on the left side of the timeline.

2. Move your cursor over the clip in the timeline. It will change to a blade icon.

3. Click on the clip at the exact frame where you want to make the cut. The clip splits into two at that point.

4. Press V to switch back to the Selection Tool so you can continue working normally.

Note: Hold Shift while clicking with the Razor Tool to cut every track on the timeline at that same point simultaneously. This is useful when your sequence has multiple video and audio layers that all need to be split together.

Pro Tip: Zoom into the timeline using the + key or your scroll wheel before making the cut. A tighter view makes it much easier to land on the correct frame, especially for music edits or fast-paced cuts.

Method 2 — Use the Keyboard Shortcut Ctrl+K (Fastest Method)

Once you are comfortable in Premiere Pro, Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac) becomes the go-to cutting method. It requires no tool switching and works entirely from the keyboard, keeping your editing flow uninterrupted.

1. Move the playhead to the exact frame where you want the cut. You can scrub through the timeline by clicking and dragging the playhead, or use the arrow keys to step frame by frame.

2. Click on the clip you want to cut, or make sure the correct track is targeted in the track header on the left side of the timeline.

3. Press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac). The clip splits at the playhead position.

Track targeting matters here. If a track is not targeted or the clip is not selected, the shortcut will not cut it. Check the track header area to confirm the correct track is active before pressing the shortcut.

Need to cut every track at once? Use Ctrl+Shift+K (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+K (Mac) to split all clips across all tracks at the playhead simultaneously, regardless of track targeting.

Method 3 — Right-Click the Timeline (No Shortcuts Needed)

If you prefer to avoid memorizing shortcuts, the right-click context menu gives you a reliable fallback. This method involves the most steps but requires no keyboard shortcut knowledge.

1. Move the playhead to the frame where you want to make the cut.

2. Right-click directly on the clip in the timeline.

3. Select “Cut” from the context menu. Depending on your version of Premiere Pro, this option may also appear as “Split Clip” under the Edit menu at the top of the screen.

This approach works well when you are using a laptop trackpad or are new enough to the interface that shortcuts feel unreliable.

How to Remove the Gap After Cutting a Clip

Making a cut is only half the job. Most of the time, the goal is to remove a section entirely. Once you have cut both ends of the unwanted segment, here is how to delete it cleanly.

1. Click the unwanted clip segment to select it (it will highlight in the timeline).

2. Choose how you want to delete it:

• Delete key: Removes the selected clip but leaves a gap (a black space) in the timeline where it used to be. Clips after it do not move.

• Ripple Delete (Shift+Delete on Windows / Shift+Backspace on Mac): Removes the selected clip AND automatically pulls all downstream clips forward to close the gap. This is the recommended approach for most edits.

Pro Tip: Ripple Delete is the single most time-saving habit you can build in Premiere Pro. It eliminates the extra step of selecting and closing the gap manually, which adds up quickly across a long edit.

If you cut by mistake at any point, press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Cmd+Z (Mac) to undo the action and restore the clip instantly.

Quick Comparison — Which Method Should You Use?

FAQ

Q: How do I cut a clip without leaving a gap in Premiere Pro?

Use Ripple Delete after making your cut. Select the unwanted segment, then press Shift+Delete on Windows or Shift+Backspace on Mac. This removes the clip and automatically closes the gap by pulling all subsequent clips forward, keeping your timeline tight without any extra cleanup.

Q: How do I cut only the audio or only the video of a clip?

Right-click the clip in the timeline and select “Unlink” to separate the audio and video tracks into independent clips. Once unlinked, you can click to select just the audio or just the video track and cut it using any of the three methods above without affecting the other.

Q: Why is my Razor Tool cutting all clips on the timeline at once?

You are most likely holding Shift while clicking, which is the shortcut for cutting across all tracks simultaneously. Release the Shift key and click again to cut only the single clip or track under your cursor.

Q: Can I undo a cut in Premiere Pro?

Yes. Press Ctrl+Z on Windows or Cmd+Z on Mac immediately after cutting to rejoin the clip and undo the split. Premiere Pro supports multiple undo steps, so you can press it repeatedly to walk back several actions if needed.

Next Steps

All three methods produce exactly the same result — a clean split at the playhead. The difference is purely about which fits your current workflow. Once cutting feels automatic, the natural next skill to build is fine-tuning clip edges with the Trim Tool, or learning how to use slip and slide edits for more advanced timeline adjustments. From there, you are ready to move into exporting your finished sequence.