Trim Video for YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts must be 3 minutes or less. Trim your videos to the perfect length for the Shorts feed.

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YouTube Shorts Requirements

  • Duration: 3 minutes or less
  • Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical) - this is critical
  • Resolution: 1080x1920 recommended
  • File size: No strict limit (YouTube handles large files)

Creating Shorts from Existing Content

The fastest way to grow on YouTube Shorts is repurposing your existing content. Take highlights from longer videos and turn them into bite-sized Shorts:

  • Gaming clips: Epic moments, fails, or funny reactions
  • Tutorial snippets: Quick tips extracted from longer how-tos
  • Podcast highlights: The most quotable or controversial takes
  • Vlog moments: The funniest or most interesting moment

How to Trim for YouTube Shorts

  1. 1
    Load your video

    Select your source video - works with any format YouTube accepts.

  2. 2
    Find your 3-minute moment

    Preview and select up to 3 minutes. Mark in/out points with I/O keys.

  3. 3
    Download and upload

    Download your clip and upload to YouTube. Add #Shorts in the title or description.

Tips for Viral YouTube Shorts

Hook in 1-2 seconds

Viewers scroll fast - grab attention immediately

Keep it under 3 min

Even over 3 minutes disqualifies it as a Short

Loop potential

Shorts that loop seamlessly get more watch time

Use #Shorts

Include #Shorts in title or description to ensure it's recognized

Shorts vs Regular YouTube Videos

Feature YouTube Shorts Regular Videos
Max length 3 minutes 12 hours
Aspect ratio 9:16 (vertical) 16:9 (horizontal)
Discovery Shorts shelf, Shorts feed Search, recommendations
Monetization Shorts Fund / ads (limited) Full ad revenue

Crop to 9:16 — Built In

JustTrimVideo can crop your horizontal video to vertical 9:16 — no external editor needed. Load your clip and choose Crop to 9:16, Fit with bars (letterbox), or Keep original. Already shooting vertical? The tool detects it automatically — vertical phone recordings trim losslessly in seconds.

Related Pages

Trim for Instagram Reels Trim for WhatsApp Status How to Trim MP4

Ready to create YouTube Shorts?

Go to the Video Trimmer →