How to Cut Video in iMovie – Easy Step-by-step Guide

New to video editing and wondering how to cut video in iMovie? You don’t need fancy tools to carry out these essential tasks. Turn to iMovie and get the job done in seconds.

iMovie is Apple’s official video editing software for iOS and Mac platforms. It makes essential video editing tasks, such as splitting, trimming, and adding filters, a breeze, thus turning your videos into movie magic.

Besides removing unnecessary sections, you can also speed up videos with iMovie in a little or no time.

Unusable footage? Cut it off and make your video presentable in a flash.

This article will outline the step-by-step instructions on how to cut video in iMovie. Stick to the guidelines and trim a video into several parts.

iMovie – A Quick Introduction

First thing first. Let’s briefly introduce iMovie and see how this video editor differs from its counterparts. 

iMovie has made it simpler to create cinema-quality videos without spending dollars on professional equipment or expensive software. It is Apple’s in-built tool for iPhones, iPads, and macOS, enabling you to run your imagination wild.

Whether you want to create your masterpiece from scratch or get help shaping your video, iMovie packs numerous tools and features to create high-quality results. This software lets you create styled, edited videos in just a few taps.

Select media from your library, and the tool determines the best parts of the footage and automatically initiates the edit. Besides trimming, you can also experiment with other video looks by selecting from over 20+ styles.

With iMovie, you can learn video storytelling skills. It boasts numerous pre-made video templates that guide you through the movie-making process. The tool lets you sit on the Director’s seat and edit the video clip for a more artistic, professional-looking experience.

If you’ve recently dipped your toes in video editing on iOS and macOS, please keep tabs on our other guides to know how to record videos on Mac and how to download videos on iPhone with Safari.

Key Features of iMovie

Here’s a quick rundown of iMovie’s key features that make it stand out from others.

Scroll through them and make this tool your best video-editing companion.

• High-Fidelity Filters – You can select from 13 creative filters that can add a cinematic touch and give your clips a nostalgic appeal.
• Extra-Special Effects – The tool enables you to add special effects to the videos, like speeding up or slowing down. You can add a broadcast feel to your school report with split-screen effects.
• Soundtracks – Make your video enjoyable with over 100 intelligent soundtracks on iOS that intelligently adjust to match the length of your iMovie. You can also add built-in sound effects to make your clip more exciting.

How to Cut Video in iMovie on iPhone/ iPad?

Now that we’ve highlighted everything about this Apple’s in-built tool, it’s time to instantly how to cut video in iMovie and make it a perfect art piece.

While the process is simple, you must adhere to the guidelines to avoid any trouble later.

So, let’s begin. 

Step 1: Add a Clip to Your Timeline

• Launch the iMovie on your iPhone or iPad and upload the desired video clip to your timelines.

Step 2: Highlight the Section to Trim

• Tap the video or photo in the timeline and display the yellow highlight to trim the selection.
• Zoom in and find other details to make the process simpler and quicker. Alternatively, you can use the pinch-and-open gesture in the middle of the timeline to complete this.

Step 3: Shorten the Video

• Drag the edge of the video closer to farther from the center to adjust the duration. Click Trim to get the job done.

Note: Be mindful that if you’ve added a 10-second video clip, you won’t be able to make it any longer. However, you can shorten it if the clip is 0.3 seconds longer and beyond.

How to Cut Video in iMovie on Mac?

How to cut video in iMovie on Mac? Below are mentioned the step-by-step guide to carry out the process. With iMovie, you can easily change the duration of a video according to your preferences.

Follow the steps below and cut a clip in iMovie in seconds.

• Open iMovie on macOS, and go through the timeline of your open project until you find the clip you want to trim. Once you locate the clip, click it and move to the next step.
• Select View > Zoom-In for a closer view and tap Command and (+). This will make it easier to work with.
• Move the pointer over the beginning or the end of your video until it comes to the clip trimmer tool.
• Drag the clip’s edges towards its center to shorten the clip. On the contrary, move the clip’s edges away from its center to extend the video. Like in iPhone/ iPad, you cannot open a clip beyond its initial limits.

Frequently Answered Questions

Q. What’s the Shortest Time iMovie Supports?

Ans. iMovie supports the shortest time of 0.3 seconds, meaning the app won’t let you shorten a clip beyond that limit.

Q. What is the Shortcut to Cut a Video in iMovie?

Ans. Press and hold the “R” key while hovering over a clip to choose the range of frames you wish to trim. Besides, you can also control-click the clip and select Time Selection from the menu, and the footage will be cut to match your selection.

Wrap Up

There you have it. Video trimming or splitting is one of the basic editing steps that should be free of a professional tool or expensive software.

Thanks to iMovie, you can perform essential functions and add filters and cinematic quality to your clips in a few clicks.

The software arrives with a simple interface and will only require prior experience. So why wait? Turn to this Apple’s in-built tool and immediately cut a video in iMovie.

Happy Editing!!