To trim a video on Mac, open it in QuickTime Player, choose Edit > Trim (or press Command-T), drag the yellow handles to the new start and end, and click Trim. Then save with File > Save or Export As. It's built in and free. If you need an MP4 file, frame-exact cuts, or a looped or muted clip, use the MobileStudio Video Trimmer in your browser.
The short answer
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| QuickTime Player | Fast trims, built in |
| QuickTime Split Clip | Removing a section from the middle |
| iMovie | Trimming as part of a bigger edit |
| Video Trimmer | MP4 output, exact frames, mute, loop |
How do I trim a video in QuickTime Player?
- Open the video in QuickTime Player.
- Choose Edit > Trim, or press Command-T.
- Drag the yellow handles in the trimming bar. Click and hold a handle to see individual frames.
- Click Trim.
- Choose File > Save to keep the change, or File > Export As to save a copy.
Apple's guide to trimming in QuickTime has the same steps. Saving keeps the original format, which for iPhone videos is MOV.
How do I cut out a section in QuickTime?
QuickTime can split clips too:
- Choose View > Show Clips.
- Move the playhead to the start of the unwanted part and choose Edit > Split Clip (Command-Y).
- Split again at the end of the unwanted part.
- Select the middle clip, press Delete, and save.
QuickTime's clip view also lets you rotate or flip clips. For more ways to remove a middle section, see how to cut the middle out of a video.
How do I trim a video in iMovie on Mac?
Drag the clip into the timeline, then drag either edge of the clip inward to trim it. iMovie is the better choice when you're also adding titles or music, and Apple's iMovie titles guide shows the next step. Export with File > Share > File, which saves MP4.
How do I trim a video on Mac and save it as MP4?
QuickTime keeps MOV. To get MP4 directly:
- Open the Video Trimmer in Safari or Chrome.
- Drop in the video and drag the handles. Press I and O to set the start and end at the playhead, and use the arrow keys to move one frame.
- Click Export and download the MP4.
The trimmer also has a Mute switch and a Loop option, and it never uploads your video. If you already trimmed in QuickTime, convert the MOV with the MOV to MP4 converter.
How do I trim several clips into one video on Mac?
Open the first video in QuickTime, then drag other videos into its window to add them as clips. Use View > Show Clips to trim each one by dragging its ends, then save the combined movie. For anything more involved, iMovie's timeline is easier.
Does trimming in QuickTime reduce quality?
QuickTime's trim and save keep the original quality for typical videos. The browser trimmer re-encodes at high quality so cuts land on the exact frame. Either way, the difference is very hard to see. More detail in how to trim a video without losing quality.
Where MobileStudio fits
The trimmer is one of our free tools. MobileStudio itself turns phone screen recordings into polished app demos, without moving files to a Mac. Get MobileStudio.
Quick FAQ
What's the shortcut to trim in QuickTime?
Command-T opens the trimming bar.
Can QuickTime trim a video without re-encoding?
For typical files, saving after a trim keeps the original encoding and quality.
How do I trim the middle of a video on Mac?
Use QuickTime's Split Clip (Command-Y), delete the middle clip, and save.
Why is Trim greyed out in QuickTime?
Some protected or streaming files can't be edited. Save a local copy first.
Can I trim a video on Mac for free?
Yes. QuickTime and iMovie are free, and so is the browser trimmer.
