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A Step‑by‑Step Guide to Cutting Clips in iMovie

Whether you’re editing your first family vacation video or working on your next YouTube vlog, learning how to cut clips in iMovie is one of the most essential skills you’ll need. With its intuitive design and powerful features, iMovie makes trimming and slicing video a breeze—even for beginners. If you want to polish your footage, delete unwanted sections, or create smooth transitions, mastering clip cutting is your starting point.

TLDR

Cutting clips in iMovie is a straightforward process that begins with importing your video and dragging it into the timeline. You can split clips by selecting the point you want to cut and using the keyboard shortcut (Command + B) or the right-click context menu. This allows you to delete, move, or edit segments more precisely. Whether you’re using iMovie on Mac or iOS, the basics remain similar, making it easy to clean up your footage.

1. Understanding iMovie’s Interface

Before diving into the clip-cutting process, it’s vital to get familiar with iMovie’s layout:

  • Library: Where all your media files are stored.
  • Viewer: Displays a preview of your video.
  • Timeline: The workspace where you edit your video clips.
  • Toolbar: Includes tools for editing, like crop, volume, and filters.

As you navigate iMovie, remember that most of your cutting and editing work will occur in the timeline.

2. Importing Your Video Clip

To begin, import the video clips you want to work with:

  1. Open iMovie and click on “Create New” and then select Movie.
  2. Click the “Import Media” button to add video files from your computer.
  3. Once imported, drag and drop the desired video clips into the timeline for editing.

This setup allows you to view and manipulate your footage frame-by-frame if needed, which is crucial for making accurate cuts.

3. Scrubbing Through the Timeline

To identify the exact areas you want to cut, move your playhead over the timeline. This is known as scrubbing. You can do this by simply dragging the white vertical line (the playhead) through your video. Watch the Viewer window as you scrub—this helps you pinpoint where each scene begins or ends.

Use zoom controls to magnify the timeline for better control. The tighter you zoom in, the easier it is to make frame-accurate cuts.

4. Cutting or Splitting Clips

Now for the most important part: cutting the clip. Here are two primary ways to do it:

Method 1: Using Shortcut Keys

  1. Select the clip on the timeline where you want to make the cut.
  2. Move the playhead to the exact point where you want to split the clip.
  3. Press Command + B on your keyboard.

This instantly splits the clip at the playhead, allowing you to treat each segment as a separate piece.

Method 2: Using the Right-Click Menu

  1. Click the clip in your timeline.
  2. Position the playhead at the desired cutting point.
  3. Right-click (Control + Click on some Macs) and choose “Split Clip” from the context menu.

Both approaches yield the same result—it’s just a matter of your personal preference or which device you’re using.

5. Deleting Unwanted Segments

After splitting, you might want to remove parts of the video. Here’s what to do:

  1. Click the segment you want to remove so it is highlighted.
  2. Press the Delete key on your keyboard.

The remaining clips will automatically shift left to fill the gap, keeping your timeline continuous. You can also insert transitions in the gaps, giving your video a more professional touch.

6. Trimming Clip Edges for Precision

If you don’t need to split a video but just want to tweak the beginning or end, use the trim function:

  • Select the clip in the timeline.
  • Hover over the left or right edge until your pointer turns into a trim tool (a two-sided arrow).
  • Click and drag left or right to shorten or lengthen the clip.

This method is useful for quick edits without introducing additional cuts.

7. Refining Edits with the Precision Editor

For even more granular control, iMovie has a feature called the Precision Editor.

  1. Double-click on the line between two clips in the timeline.
  2. The Precision Editor opens, where you can adjust the in and out points of adjoining clips more accurately.

This tool is particularly helpful for syncing audio with video or fine-tuning transitions for a smoother flow.

8. Cutting Clips on iMovie for iOS

Working on an iPhone or iPad? No problem—cutting clips is just as easy on iOS:

  1. Open iMovie and create a new project.
  2. Import your video and place it in the timeline.
  3. Tap the video clip to bring up the action menu.
  4. Scroll through and tap “Split” to cut the clip at the playhead.

Use your fingers to drag and adjust clips—it’s very intuitive and optimized for touch controls.

9. Additional Tips for Clean Cuts

  • Use J and L cuts: Offset audio and video edits for a more cinematic feel.
  • Save versions often: Keep backups of your original timeline in case you need to undo changes.
  • Use transitions sparingly: While tempting, too many transitions between cuts can make your video feel choppy.
  • Preview your work: Regularly play through your project to ensure cuts feel natural and pacing is appropriate.

10. Exporting Your Finished Video

Once you’ve cut your clips and are happy with the overall flow, it’s time to export your masterpiece:

  1. Click the “Share” button in the upper-right corner.
  2. Select the desired export option—File, YouTube, Facebook, etc.
  3. Choose your resolution and file format, then hit “Next” to save.

Conclusion

Cutting clips is the foundation of any well-edited video, and with iMovie, it’s easier than ever to achieve professional-looking results without needing advanced software. Whether you’re slicing out bloopers, creating a fast-paced montage, or simply organizing your footage, iMovie gives you the tools to craft your vision.

So next time you’re editing a project, remember: the power of a great story lies just as much in what you cut out as in what you leave in.