Premiere Pro Keyboard Shortcuts
105+ Adobe Premiere Pro shortcuts for video editing, timeline navigation, and audio mixing. Mac and Windows reference.
Playback
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Play / Pause | |
| Play forward (press again to speed up) | |
| Play backward (press again to speed up) | |
| Stop playback | |
| Step forward one frame | |
| Step backward one frame | |
| Step forward one frame | |
| Step backward one frame | |
| Step forward 5 frames | |
| Step backward 5 frames | |
| Go to beginning of timeline | |
| Go to end of timeline | |
| Go to previous edit point | |
| Go to next edit point |
Tools
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Selection Tool | |
| Track Select Forward Tool | |
| Track Select Backward Tool | |
| Razor Tool | |
| Ripple Edit Tool | |
| Rolling Edit Tool | |
| Rate Stretch Tool | |
| Slip Tool | |
| Slide Tool | |
| Pen Tool | |
| Hand Tool | |
| Type Tool |
Editing
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Copy | |
| Paste | |
| Cut | |
| Undo | |
| Redo | |
| Delete selected clip (leave gap) | |
| Ripple Delete (close gap) | |
| Add Edit (cut at playhead) | |
| Add Edit on all tracks | |
| Ripple Trim Previous Edit to Playhead | |
| Ripple Trim Next Edit to Playhead | |
| Extend Selected Edit to Playhead | |
| Select clip at playhead | |
| Apply default video transition | |
| Apply default audio transition | |
| Group clips | |
| Ungroup clips | |
| Link / Unlink audio and video |
Markers
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Mark In point | |
| Mark Out point | |
| Go to In point | |
| Go to Out point | |
| Clear In point | |
| Clear Out point | |
| Clear In and Out points | |
| Add Marker | |
| Go to next marker | |
| Go to previous marker | |
| Insert clip at playhead | |
| Overwrite clip at playhead |
Timeline
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Zoom in on timeline | |
| Zoom out on timeline | |
| Fit timeline to view | |
| Toggle Snap | |
| Toggle track targeting (V1) | |
| Toggle track targeting (V2) | |
| Set clip start to playhead | |
| Set clip end to playhead | |
| Move clip up one track | |
| Move clip down one track |
Audio
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Toggle source/program monitor | |
| Decrease audio gain | |
| Increase audio gain | |
| Export audio only |
Effects
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Export Frame | |
| Open Effect Controls panel | |
| Open Effects panel | |
| New Title | |
| Speed / Duration dialog | |
| Edit original (open in editor) |
Workspace
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Switch to Assembly workspace | |
| Switch to Editing workspace | |
| Switch to Color workspace | |
| Switch to Audio workspace | |
| Toggle full screen panel | |
| Show/Hide guides |
Export
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Export Media | |
| Save project | |
| Save As | |
| Save a Copy | |
| Import media |
Pro tips
Master J-K-L Playback
J, K, L are your best friends. L plays forward, J plays backward, K stops. Press L or J multiple times to increase speed. Hold K + L or K + J to step frame-by-frame.
Q and W for Ripple Trims
Q trims the tail of the previous clip to the playhead, W trims the head of the next clip. Both ripple the timeline closed. This is the fastest way to remove unwanted footage.
Use Ripple Delete, Not Delete
Regular Delete leaves a gap. Shift+Delete (Ripple Delete) removes the clip AND closes the gap automatically. Saves you from constantly selecting and deleting gaps.
Set In/Out Points Religiously
Mark I for In and O for Out on every clip before inserting. Use comma (,) to Insert or period (.) to Overwrite. This precise workflow is how professional editors work.
Apply Default Transitions Quickly
Ctrl+D applies the default video transition (cross dissolve) to selected edit points. Set your preferred transition as default in the Effects panel.
Ctrl+K Cuts at Playhead
Instead of switching to the Razor tool (C), use Ctrl+K to cut at the playhead instantly. Ctrl+Shift+K cuts on all tracks. Much faster for quick edits.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Insert and Overwrite edits?
Insert (comma key) pushes existing clips forward to make room for the new clip. Overwrite (period key) replaces whatever is at the playhead position. Insert preserves everything; Overwrite is destructive to existing clips at that position.
How do I speed up or slow down a clip?
Right-click the clip → Speed/Duration, or press Ctrl+R. You can also use the Rate Stretch Tool (R) to drag clip edges - shorter = faster, longer = slower. For smooth slow motion, check 'Time Interpolation: Optical Flow'.
What's the difference between Razor Tool and Add Edit?
Razor Tool (C) requires you to click on a clip to cut it. Add Edit (Ctrl+K) cuts at the playhead position without switching tools. Add Edit is faster because you stay on the Selection Tool.
How do I ripple edit efficiently?
Ripple Edit (B tool) adjusts a clip's in/out point while shifting all subsequent clips. But the fastest method is Q (trim previous to playhead) and W (trim next to playhead) - no tool switching needed.
How do I match frame from timeline to source?
Press F with the playhead on a clip to load that exact frame in the Source Monitor. Press Shift+R for reverse match frame. Essential for finding the source location of any clip in your edit.
What export settings should I use for YouTube?
Use H.264 codec, match source resolution (1080p or 4K), VBR 2-pass encoding, target bitrate 16-24 Mbps for 1080p or 45-68 Mbps for 4K. Or simply use the 'YouTube 1080p/4K' preset.
Want to master Premiere Pro?
Go beyond shortcuts with in-depth Premiere Pro video courses, from the basics all the way to advanced workflows.
Explore Premiere Pro courses