How to Add Timecode in Premiere Pro

Benjamin Arango

Jan 15, 2025• Proven solutions

Adobe Premiere Pro CC being one of the top video editing software crafted for TV, film, and the web is winning hearts every passing day. As it’s essential for adding timecode on Premiere Pro in order to include countdown in a video, you need to know more about this tool.

Most camcorders and top-notch video decks record timecode marking certain frames captured or identified in the past. In order to add timecode on Premier, you need to keep in mind that why exactly you need it in the first place. When you want to log clips even before they are captured, automated batch captures, recapturing clips as the actual file got corrupted, while trying to export sequences to another system through EDL, and while syncing audio and video recorded separately into one file etc.

So, in case you are unsure of how to add timecode on Premiere Pro, then we have the right solution for you in this article. Keep reading to explore more.

• Part 1: Step-by-Step Tutorial to Add Timecode with Premiere
• Part 2: How to Choose Timecode Display Format
• Bonus Part: Recommended Timecode Viewing Interface - Wondershare Filmora

Part 1: Step-by-Step Tutorial to Add Timecode with Premiere

Here we are going to explain the detailed process of adding timecode using Premiere Pro. As we have discussed above, what kind of tasks Premiere Pro can serve with timecode addition to your videos. Let’s see the step by step process guide you through.

We would take an example, where you got a three-minute video on the Premiere Pro timeline, but you want the timecode be set to 00:57:00:00, to let the show initiate at 01:00:00:00.

Step 1. Import Video and Create Adjustment Layer

Once you have launched the tool on your device, open a new project to initiate. Next, import the video clips or sequence where you want to add the timecode. After the import, click the “Paper Note” icon to expand the list of options. From here, select “Adjustment Layer” to proceed to the adjustment window.

Step 2. Input Adjustment Layer Settings Premiere Pro

In the small pop-up window, configure the adjustment layers settings such as Timebase, Width, and height. Click the “OK” button after selecting “Pixel Aspect Ratio” from the drop-down menu. Now, drag the created layer to the editing timeline of the tool’s interface.

Step 3. Choose Metadata and Timecode Burn In

Moving forward, head to the “Edit” option on the toolbar and access the “Effects” section to open an expanded list. From here, pick the “Metadata & Timecode Burn-in” option.

Step 4. Access the Timecode Settings

The metadata and timecode settings will appear on the right side, from where you can make different adjustments such as “Opacity,” “Size,” and “Position.”

Step 5. Review the Added Timecode

Once you save the settings, the Premiere Pro time code will be generated on the screen within the preview window. You can reposition and resize it according to your requirements before finally saving it to your PC.

Part 2. How to Choose Timecode Display Format

Besides adding the timecode in Premiere Pro to the visual content, users also get the ability to change their display format with this tool. Though the tool shows the original time code from the source by default, you can change the settings per your requirements. Moreover, the Premiere timecode also enables you to see the frame count for the selected clip, with options to adjust and set the frame count accordingly.

Step 1. Access the Edit Menu in the Preferences Window

To begin the process, head to the toolbar at the top-left corner and select the “Edit” option to expand the list. From here, press the “Preferences” option to enable the Preferences window. Here, expand the “Media” settings and expand the “Timecode” drop-down menu.

Step 2. Select Frame Count

Next, opt for the “Frame Count” drop-down menu and select the “Start at 0” option from the drop-down menu. This setting will number every frame sequentially, with the first frame numbered zero. Finally, press the “OK” button to save the frame settings.

Bonus Part. Recommended Timecode Viewing Interface - Wondershare Filmora

After learning how to add timecode to video for Premiere Pro, if you are still looking for a more compelling and comprehensive solution, you can try Wondershare Filmora. This video editing tool provides a straightforward method to access the timecode interface. You can simply import your video to the tool’s interface and access the preview window. Select the “Change Project Aspect Ratio” option and configure the settings for timecode

Users can review and modify the timecode display of the video imported to Filmora’s interface by simply clicking anywhere on the timeline. This will enable a “Project Info” panel on the right side with details including Project Name, Resolution, Frame Rate, and Duration.

In a nutshell

From the above article, we conclude that while adding timecode on Premiere Pro, the process is not as tough as you might have assumed earlier. This article has cleared how to add timecode on Premiere and how to select the timecode display format as well. Now, you must be confident to guide a friend for using the timecode on Premiere Pro easily without much effort.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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