Shotcut Video Editor Tutorial

In this step-by-step tutorial for beginners, learn how to use the Shotcut video editor. Shotcut is a free, open source, cross-platform video editor that works extremely well.

👋 Additional resources:

⌚ Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
0:55 Download & install Shotcut
2:05 Get sample files
2:29 Create new project & open recent projects
3:53 Playlist & adding media
4:26 Change how media appears in playlist
5:53 Preview pane
6:31 Frames & customize view
7:55 Pre-set views
8:37 Edit clip in preview pane
9:53 Add clip to timeline
10:33 Timeline & edit on timeline
15:06 Fade transition
15:38 Ripple move
16:37 Bringing multiple clips onto timeline
17:10 Edit clips on timeline
20:18 Apply video filter
22:26 Add audio / music
24:33 Audio filters
25:52 Insert text onto clip or track
27:22 Keyframes
29:12 Export
30:38 View final video
31:09 Wrap up

📃 Watch related playlists and videos

🚩 Connect with me on social:

🔔 Subscribe to my YouTube channel

🎬 Want to watch again? Navigate back to my YouTube channel quickly

⚖ As full disclosure, I use affiliate links above. Purchasing through these links gives me a small commission to support videos on this channel -- the price to you is the same.

[leonlowe]

Kevin, I may have found my video editor - thanks to you! I'm 82 and not keen to learn a lot of new tricks. I need to construct a short video of my model railway layout featuring different train movements through a busy railway junction. I think I'll be able to accomplish that with this app, and since it's for a single project, "free" is good!

[ShotcutApp]

Great tutorial! I will add it to our tutorials page. At 23:05, all the clips on the video track moved when you dropped to the audio track because you have the "Ripple All Tracks" turned on - se the Timeline menu option or the (*) icon on the toolbar and the video track is not locked. This option is intended to keep things across tracks in sync as you make edits. It is off by default, but this trips up a lot of people. Also, be aware that the 32-bit version has been discontinued as that is too memory limited for today's world of HD and up video.

[margaretmiller]

This was my FIRST time EVER attempting edits - I have been SO overwhelmed to begin learning - as SO many tutorials are not clear, concise, and novice friendly. I am SO thankful I came across yours and greatly appreciate your time, energy, thoughtfulness, and creativity in your tutorial video! After watching - I successfully edited my FIRST one and at my FIRST go around - This was a HUGE victory for me and am SO excited to learn more!!! THANK YOU, KEVIN!!!

[InfinityBS]

2 years later, I would just like to confirm that this tutorial is super helpful for beginners. Without this I never would have even tried to learn Shotcut

[neilsimmondsmediaproject]

This is a masterclass in how to explain how to do something on YouTube. Just brilliant.

[edelweys]

this was the first Shotcut tutorial I watched. After watching quite a few more: it is by far the best in terms of concise information, and presentation style.

[JayNRamos]

Kevin, It is one thing to make a tutorial, but it's a totally different kettle of fish to be able to present everything in a clear, concise, and logical manner that makes it easy to follow. Very well done! Good voice-over too!

[deusdragonex]

This helped me SO MUCH! I had a project for my kid's school that I had to get done. I found out that I needed to do it about three hours before it needed to be done. I came here and you gave me the information that I needed to get it done with an hour to spare. Thank you!

[Curkri]

I found this tutorial to be the best balance between covering all the basics but also quick and to the point. Thanks, it seems a bit overwhelming when you start but I think it's making more sense now.

[shaundas]

This was a very good tutorial. Excellent job! Very in-depth and easy to follow. Great pace but not too long. Thanks so much for putting this together.

[lianpeter]

Thank you Kevin. Your pace is just nice. Really appreciate the way you take the effort to zoom in to let us see much better of what you're doing. Well done!

[Phgazgahdz]

Perfecto, en un solo tutorial nos da todos los elementos para hacer una buena edición, a un ritmo agradable y claro. Excelente. GRACIAS

[DameEdnaBrown]

What a great tutorial, I never knew Shotcut existed. Now I'll have to give it a try.

[kessyokonkwo]

I swear I love you man. I gave up on shot cut cos I couldn't find a good video that could explain it. But every tech problem I have you resolve

[theTeslaFalcon]

Just getting into video editing w my 1st project. Shotcut was on my short list.
Rewatched this today after my 1st day of editing. Several shortcut keys will come in handy for tomorrow.
I will need to dig deeper into the text features, but this got me started in the right direction when I get to that point.
Thanks!

[feliciabacon]

This is the most helpful video I've found for learning how to use Shotcut. I'm very grateful that sample clips were provided so that we can follow along. I felt so proud and accomplished when I finished editing the video! It's another skill I can add to the resume. Thanks Kevin!

[k.c]

I haven't even watched it yet, but I already plussed this video ... 😇 You read my mind!

EDIT. I FINALLY was able to stop long enough to watch the video in its entirety, and in fact I created a little video! I was very pleased at how straight-forward it was to manipulate the clips and use the filters. This is definitely going to become one of my key tools for video editing. It's definitely a step up from using the PHOTOS app that comes with windows.... lol ...
THANKS AGAIN,

[drutgat]

The best Shotcut tutorial I have seen thus far. And the same high quality as your other tutorials. Thanks, Kevin.

[cookingwithphildarst]

Thanks, Kevin, for a great instructional video. I tried 7 editing programs and watched at least twice that many how to videos but finally, with your help, was able to edit my first solo video for YouTube.

[DaRunningMan]

Excellent Shotcut tutorial for beginners! Great work, Kevin!
I'll add one very important tip for future users. If your project is ever lagging a lot when editing there are two options under "settings" that take care of it. One is "preview scaling" which cuts down the lag that happens after adding filters and the other is "proxy" that makes lower resolution copies of your videos that are easier to edit with in case your original video files are also giving you lag. If you use both "preview scaling" and "proxy" at the same time it'll cut down on lag from all possible angles.