Published: February 17, 2022 | Last Updated: July 2, 2024
In this article, I explain the 21 keyboard shortcuts that I think are essential for Premiere Pro users. These are not all the shortcuts available in Premiere, but they are 21 of the most common, which you will likely find useful.
I will explain what each shortcut does and list a cheat sheet at the end of this article for quick reference. I will also explain how to change shortcuts if you prefer to use a different key.
1. Quick Selection Tool (V)
This is the most common tool used in Premiere Pro. It’s similar to your average mouse pointer and is used for anything related to selecting, clicking, dragging, etc.
2. Razor Tool (C)
The Razor tool is used to splice a clip into two separate clips.
3. New Text Layer (Mac: CMD+T/Windows: ALT+T)
This will add a new graphics layer onto the timeline for adding text on screen.
Read our in-depth guide on how to add and edit text in Premiere Pro.
4. Type Tool (T)
The Type Tool adds or changes text in a Text Layer.
5. Ripple Edit Tool (B)
The Ripple Edit Tool is useful for making quick edits to a clip’s head or tail end while shifting the adjacent clips.
6. Rolling Edit Tool (N)
The Rolling Edit Tool changes where the edit location between two clips. This shouldn’t be confused with the Ripple Tool. The Ripple Tool will remove parts of only one clip. The Rolling Edit Tool will remove part of one clip while adding to the adjacent clip.
7. Snap in Timeline (S)
Snap in Timeline forces a clip to snap into place near another clip. You can also turn this off for more precise placement.
8. Pen Tool (P)
The Pen Tool can be used to place Keyframes on the video’s opacity or the audio’s gain.
9. In/Out (I/O)
In and Out points are used when selecting a specific part of a clip in the Source Monitor to add to the timeline or a section of a timeline for rendering. They are used for reference and do not alter the clip or timeline. The In point is the beginning of your clip, and the Out point is the end.
10. Clear In Point, Clear Out Point, Clear in and Out Points (Mac: Option+I, Option+O, Option+X/Windows: Control+I, Control+O, Control+X)
Use one of the shortcuts to either remove the in point, out point, or both.
11. Ripple Trim (Q/W)
The Ripple Trim shortcut works similarly to the Ripple Edit Tool. However, the edit will be made instantly when selecting one of these keys. Place your playhead over the section of the clip where you’d like it to begin or end. Hit Q to remove everything on the left side of the playhead and W for everything on the right side of the playhead.
12. Step Back 1 Frame (Left or Right)
Step Back 1 frame is used to move the playhead exactly one frame to the left or right with the timeline selected.
13. Shift Clips 1 Frame (Mac: CMD+L or R/Windows: ALT+ L or R)
Select the clip you want to move and hit the shortcut in either direction to move the clip 1 frame.
14. Go to Previous/Next (Up/Down)
This function will move the playhead to the nearest cut on a selected track’s audio or video.
15. Add Marker/Edit Market (M)
Adding Markers is useful for labeling sections on a clip or timeline. Select the clip to make a mark on the clip, or select the timeline to make a mark on the timeline.
To edit the marker, hover the playhead over it and hit M. This will bring up a popup window with different options for labeling or note-taking.
16. Select Clip at Playhead (D)
Hit this shortcut with the playhead over a clip to select it without using the Quick Selection Tool. This is useful when making quick adjustments in the Effect Controls panel.
17. Overwrite/Insert (./,)
First, bring a clip into your source monitor and place the playhead over a desired section of the timeline. Hit (. – period) to overwrite that clip onto the timeline or (, – comma) to insert the clip and shift the remaining clips to the right of it.
18. Isolated Select (Mac: Option+click/Windows: Control+click)
Use this shortcut if you must select the video or audio portion of the clip without selecting the other. This is used when making J or L cuts.
19. Render Effects in Work Area (Mac: Return/Windows: Enter)
Use when rendering all of the effects between the In and Out points on the timeline.
20. Multi-Camera Record On/Off Toggle (0)
This is used to start recording cuts in a multi-camera sequence quickly.
21. Select Camera (1, 2…9)
After starting the Multi-Camera Record On/Off Toggle, use any number keys 1 through 9 to switch between cameras on your timeline.
Viewing/Changing Keyboard Shortcuts
You can view all keyboard shortcuts available inside Premiere by going to Premiere Pro > Keyboard shortcuts.
This will bring up a map of all the shortcuts available inside Premiere. The keys displayed are the functions when you hit them only.
You can view other key functions by selecting other modifier keys. For example, look at how the map changes when I hit the Shift key.
You can also change any of the shortcuts. For example, I never use the Zoom (Z) keyboard shortcut. Instead, I changed the Z shortcut to Add Edit to splice a clip without using the Razor Tool.
You can do this by browsing the function you want to use and then dragging it onto the desired key on the map.
You can also change it by selecting the command in the browser, clicking a blank area under the shortcut tab, and typing in the modifier manually.
Cheat Sheet for Mac and Windows
1 – Quick Selection Tool (V)
2 – Razor Tool (C)
3 – New Text Layer (Mac: CMD+T/Windows: ALT+T)
4 – Type Tool (T)
5 – Ripple Edit Tool (B)
6 – Rolling Edit Tool (N)
7 – Snap in Timeline (S)
8 – Pen Tool (P)
9 – In/Out (I/O)
10 – Clear In Point, Clear Out Point, Clear in and Out Points (Mac: Option+I, Option+O, Option+X/Windows: Control+I, Control+O, Control+X)
11 – Ripple Trim (Q/W)
12 – Step Back 1 Frame (Left or Right)
13 – Shift Clips 1 Frame (Mac: CMD+L or R/Windows: ALT+ L or R)
14 – Go to Previous/Next (Up/Down)
15 – Add Marker/Edit Market (M)
16 – Select Clip at Playhead (D)
17 – Overwrite/Insert ( ./,)
18 – Isolated Select (Mac: Option+Click/Windows: Control+Click)
19 – Render Effects in Work Area (Mac: Return/Windows: Enter)
20 – Multi-Camera Record On/Off Toggle (0)
21 – Select Camera (must have Multi-Camera Record toggled on) (1, 2…9)
Summing Up
Speaking personally, using these keyboard shortcuts has sped up my workflow dramatically. They also make editing much less tedious. I highly recommend practicing the different functions of each of these shortcuts.
Up Next: What is Kinetic Editing?
