If you edit videos regularly, you already know how much time goes into simple actions—cutting, selecting, zooming, duplicating, and exporting. Doing everything with the mouse feels easy at first, but as your projects grow, the clicking becomes tiring and slow.
That’s where keyboard shortcuts come in.
They are small, but they save hours every week.
If you are learning Premiere Pro or upgrading your editing workflow, this blog will genuinely help you speed up your work and stay more organized while editing. Let’s get started!
Why Shortcuts Matter in Video Editing
Before we jump into the list, here’s why shortcuts actually matter:
- They cut down all that extra clicking.
- They let you keep your hands on the keyboard and stay in the flow.
- They help you wrap up projects much faster.
- They make your overall editing workflow feel smoother and more effortless.
And honestly, once you learn even 4–5 shortcuts, you’ll clearly feel the difference in how fast you move through your timeline
Most Useful Premiere Pro Keyboard Shortcuts
1. C—Razor Tool (Cut Clip)
This is the shortcut you’ll use the most in your editing workflow.
Press C, cut wherever you want, then press V to switch back.
A simple shortcut, but a major time-saver.
2. Ctrl/Cmd + K — Add Edit
If you don’t want to switch tools every time, this is even faster.
Just place the playhead and press Ctrl/Cmd+K.
Instant cut. No clicking required.
3. Shift + Delete — Ripple Delete
When you remove a clip, the gap disappears automatically.
This keeps your timeline clean and avoids unnecessary dragging.
4. I and O — Mark In & Out
Perfect for selecting the exact part of your clip:
- Press I to mark the start
- Press O to mark the end
Useful when you want only a specific portion from a long clip.
5. + and – — Zoom In/Out on Timeline
Instead of scrolling with your mouse, press:
- + to zoom in
- – to zoom out
This makes moving around the timeline much faster.
6. A — Select All Clips Forward
Press A, click once, and everything to the right gets selected.
Very handy when you want to shift your entire timeline forward.
7. Alt/Option + Drag — Duplicate a Clip
Hold Alt/Option and drag the clip, and you get an exact copy.
Great for sound effects, text layers, overlays, or repeating B-roll.
8. Ctrl/Cmd + D — Add Default Transition
Just select your clip and press this shortcut.
Your default transition is added instantly — no dragging, no searching.
9. Ctrl/Cmd + Z — Undo
We all make mistakes while editing.
Undo is your best friend, and you’ll use it more than you think.
Redo with Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Z.
10. Ctrl/Cmd + M — Export
Once you’re done editing, press this.
The export window pops up immediately — fast, simple, and clean.
A Few Quick Editing Tips
- Don’t try to learn all shortcuts at once — start with 4–5.
- Keep your project panel organized; it makes everything easier.
- Use an external SSD for faster media loading.
- Practice the shortcuts daily—they’ll become second nature in a week.
Final Thoughts
I hope these shortcuts help you edit faster and make your workflow smoother.
If you use Premiere Pro daily—whether for YouTube, freelancing, or client work—these shortcuts will genuinely save your time.
Let us know in the comments if this blog helped you or if you want us to cover other editing topics next.
Your feedback helps us to shape what we create for you.
