2 May 2026

How to trim the beginning of a video in adobe premiere pro

To trim the beginning of a video in Adobe Premiere Pro, the fastest method is to use the Selection Tool (V) to click and drag the left edge of the clip inward, or press Q with the playhead positioned at the desired start point to perform a ripple trim.

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Here are the most effective ways to trim the beginning of a video:

Method 1: The Selection Tool (Click & Drag)

Ensure you are using the Selection Tool (press V).
Hover your cursor over the very beginning (left edge) of your clip in the timeline.
The cursor will turn into a red bracket with an arrow pointing right.
Click and drag the edge to the right to the desired starting point.

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Method 2: The “Ripple Trim” (Q Shortcut)

This is the fastest method, as it removes the unwanted part and closes the gap automatically.

Move the playhead to the point in your video where you want it to begin.
Ensure the clip is selected or targeted.
Press Q on your keyboard. Everything to the left of the playhead is removed.

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Method 3: Razor Tool (Split and Delete)

Select the Razor Tool (press C).
Click on the clip at the spot where you want the video to start.
Switch back to the Selection Tool (press V) and click the unwanted beginning part.
Press Delete on your keyboard.
Right-click the empty space and select Ripple Delete to fill the gap, or manually drag the clip back to the beginning of the timeline.

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Tips for Precision

Zoom In: Zoom into your timeline (press + or -) to see individual frames for precise cuts.
Snap: Ensure snapping is enabled (magnetic icon or press S) to make the cut point align perfectly with your playhead.
Ripple Edit Tool (B): Use this tool to drag the edge of a clip and have all subsequent clips automatically shift to close the gap.

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This video demonstrates how to use the razor tool and the selection tool to trim your video:

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