How to Cut Video in iMovie on Mac

If you're looking for an easy way to cut your videos on your MacBook Pro or Air, iMovie is a great option. This free video editing software comes pre-installed on many Macs and offers a user-friendly interface that makes it simple to trim your clips and create professional-looking videos.

In this article, we'll show you how to use iMovie to cut your videos in just a few easy steps.

Step 1: Download and Launch iMovie

To get started, first download and launch iMovie on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications folder or by searching for 'iMovie' in Spotlight search.

Step 2: Import Your Video

Once you've launched iMovie, click on the 'Cut' button to enter the video cutting interface. Then, click on '+ Video' or simply drag and drop your target video into the program window to import it.

Step 3: Trim Your Video

After importing your video, use the trimming tool to cut out any unwanted parts. You can do this by dragging the edges of the clip to trim it down to size.

Step 4: Export Your Video

Once you've trimmed your video to the desired length, click 'Save' and the export process will begin. iMovie will then compress your video using the settings you've chosen.

Tips for Exporting Your Video

When exporting your video, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, choose an average bitrate that's appropriate for your video file using the slider. Lower data rates lead to smaller file sizes and faster uploads, but may affect image quality. Experiment with different bitrates to find the right balance between size and quality.

If you're having trouble with video quality, try switching to a higher bit rate value or setting the quality to 'Best (ProRes)' instead. For videos with high levels of grain or complex visual content, choose a higher bitrate. For simple slideshows or talking head interviews, choose a lower data rate.

Adding Tags and Descriptions

Before exporting your video, you can also add tags and descriptions to help others find it online. Choose the highest available bit rate for best quality and keep in mind that these settings won't appear on Vimeo.

If desired, enter some tags for your video and a description to provide more context. Remember to follow compression guidelines when exporting, but generally recommend the settings below:

iMovie is a simple yet powerful tool for cutting videos on Mac. With these easy steps, you can trim your clips and create professional-looking videos that are ready to share online. So why wait? Get started with iMovie today!

How to cut video in imovie on mac