How to Trim and Cut Videos Online Without Software
Trimming and cutting videos is the most fundamental editing skill. Whether you need to remove an awkward intro, cut out a mistake, or shorten a video for social media, knowing how to trim efficiently will save you hours.
The best part? You don't need to download expensive software. Online video editors like Editly let you trim and cut videos right in your browser, with no installation required.
Trimming vs Cutting: What's the Difference?
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they're slightly different:
- Trimming - Shortening a video from the beginning or end. Like trimming the edges off paper.
- Cutting - Removing a section from the middle. Like cutting a piece out of tape.
Both are essential for creating polished, focused videos.
When to Trim Your Videos
Common trimming scenarios include:
- Removing the "okay, recording" moment at the start
- Cutting off the reach to stop recording at the end
- Getting to the good part faster for better retention
- Meeting platform time limits (TikTok, Reels, Stories)
- Creating clips from longer content (podcast highlights, course previews)
How to Trim Videos with Editly
Trimming in Editly is as easy as describing what you want:
"Keep only the first 30 seconds"
"Trim from 0:10 to 0:45"
"Remove the first 5 seconds"
You can specify exact timestamps or describe what you want in plain English. Editly understands both.
How to Cut Out Sections
Need to remove something from the middle of your video? Use cutting:
"Remove from 1:30 to 2:00"
"Cut out the section where I coughed"
The AI will seamlessly remove that section and join the remaining parts together.
Trimming Best Practices
- Start strong - Get to the main content within the first 3 seconds
- Cut dead air - Remove pauses, "umms," and silence
- End with purpose - Don't let videos trail off; end on a strong moment
- Keep context - Make sure cuts don't remove necessary context
- Match platform norms - Shorter for TikTok, can be longer for YouTube
Ideal Video Lengths by Platform
- TikTok - 15-60 seconds (sweet spot: 21-34 seconds)
- Instagram Reels - 15-30 seconds for best engagement
- YouTube Shorts - Under 60 seconds (required)
- Instagram Stories - 15 seconds per story
- Twitter/X - Under 45 seconds
- LinkedIn - 30 seconds to 5 minutes
Start Trimming Your Videos Today
Trimming and cutting are the foundation of good video editing. With online tools like Editly, you don't need to download anything or learn complex software. Just upload your video, tell it what to keep or remove, and download your polished result.
Try it free - upload a video and trim it to the perfect length in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does online video trimming reduce quality?
No, Editly processes your video without re-encoding when possible, maintaining the original quality. Your trimmed video will look just as good as the original.
What's the maximum video length I can trim?
Editly supports videos of various lengths depending on your plan. Free users can work with shorter videos, while paid plans support longer content.
Can I undo a trim if I make a mistake?
Your original video is never modified. You can always re-upload and try again, or adjust your trim points before downloading.
