How to Trim a Video in VLC - Full Guide

As luck would have it, VLC can edit videos (to an extent), and it can technically trim them. Learn how to trim a video in VLC on Mac and Windows, and check out its top alternative if you need more editing capabilities.

How to Trim a Video in VLC on Windows

Although VLC is primarily used as a media player, it does have quite an impressive list of features hidden under its navigation menu. You can use it to do anything from converting videos from one format to another to repairing corrupt files, downloading videos from platforms like YouTube, and more.

It also allows you to make minor edits to your content - such as cutting or trimming your videos. However, it does go about it in a convoluted way. In a nutshell, instead of just trimming the video itself, VLC lets you record the section that you'd like to keep, and then save the trimmed-down version as a separate file.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to trim a video with VLC on a Windows device:

1. Visit the official VLC website and go to VLC > Download in the navigation menu at the top of the screen;
2. Expand the Download VLC menu and select the Windows version compatible with your device;

   

3. Install the downloaded file by following the on-screen instructions;
4. Open the video you want to cut in VLC;

   

5. Go to View > Advanced Controls;
6. A new set of tools will appear at the bottom of the player;

   

7. While your video is paused, move the playhead to the position where you want your trimmed video to start;
8. Click the red record button and unpause your video;

   

9. Keep recording until the video comes to the point where you want the trimmed version to end, then press the red record button again to stop recording.

VLC will automatically save your recording, and you should be able to find it on your computer by going to C:\Users\Username\Videos.

How To Trim a Video in VLC on Mac

Though the tool looks somewhat different on Mac, how you shorten a video in VLC on Mac is pretty much the same as how you do it on Windows. Again, you won't have access to the trim feature as such. Instead, you'll need to record the portion of the video you'd like to have cut.

So, here's how to use the VLC media player to "trim" a video on Mac:

1. Visit the official VLC website and go to VLC > Download in the navigation menu at the top of the screen;
2. Expand the Download VLC menu and select the Mac version compatible with your device;

   

3. Install the downloaded file by following the on-screen instructions;
4. Open the video you want to cut in VLC;

   

5. While your video is paused, move the playhead to the position where you want your trimmed video to start;
6. Go to Playback > Record to start recording the portion of the video you'd like to have;

   

7. Play the video and keep recording until the video comes to the point where you want the trimmed version to end, then go to Playback > Record again to stop recording.

You should be able to find the shortened version of your video in your Movies folder. If you're struggling to find it, look for files that start with "vlc-record".

Is VLC Media Player a Good Video Editor?

VLC is an excellent media player, hence why it's accumulated over 5 billion downloads over the years. It can open virtually any video file format, let you add and download subtitles automatically, and more.

However, it's a lousy video editor. VLC isn't a video editor in the first place, though it does offer some features commonly associated with editors. Still, you can only perform basic editing, like cut a video in VLC, through workarounds enabled by its recording capability.

So, all in all, while it's a great tool to have for playing your media files, you'll likely need a different solution (aka a dedicated editor) if you want to enhance or otherwise alter your videos.

Alternative Video Editor to VLC - Filmora

If you're not interested in using workarounds to trim videos using VLC and want a more comprehensive video editor, Wondershare Filmora is the tool for you. A sophisticated, feature-rich video editor, it lets you make any basic and advanced edits with the utmost ease.

While it's made for professional use, you don't need to be an expert to use it. Thanks to its intuitive interface and user-friendly design, it won't take you more than a few minutes to get used to it and start using it like a pro.

With Filmora, you can edit your videos however you'd like - make basic trims and cuts, crop your video, or adjust its speed. Enrich it with royalty-free media, add stickers, effects, transitions, and more. Make advanced edits like keyframing, audio ducking, or adding voiceovers and automatic translations.

The tool even comes with advanced AI capabilities, giving you more freedom and flexibility to express your creativity. With its AI copilot editing, you can get useful insights to make your content truly exceptional.

So, whether you're a beginner looking to simply trim your video or an experienced editor, Filmora will have what you're after.

Compatible with Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS and supporting countless different file formats, it's the go-to video editor for all intents and purposes.

How to Cut/Trim Videos in Filmora

Despite being a professional video editor, Filmora is one of the easiest tools you'll come across. Whether you're looking to make some basic edits or want to perfect your feature-length movie, you can do it all in just a few steps.

Here's how to cut a video using Wondershare Filmora:

1. Download and install Filmora on your device and register your account by clicking the Login button in the main menu;
2. Click New Project, then go to Media > Import and upload the video you want to trim;

   

1. Drag your video to the timeline or click the + icon beside the video to automatically add it to the timeline;
2. Move and point your cursor at the frame in the timeline where you want your cut video to start;

   

3. Click the Scissors icon to cut out the starting point of your video;
4. Move the cursor to the end section, then click the Scissors icon again to cut out the end.

Once you've cut your video, you can continue using Filmora to further edit it. If you just want to cut the video, click the Export button in the upper right-hand corner to save it to your preferred location or share it online on platforms like YouTube or TikTok.

Conclusion

VLC is a popular media player for a reason - it has excellent capabilities, great system compatibility, and supports countless file formats. However, you can't really use VLC to edit a video extensively.

Though you can technically cut a video using VLC, it requires using a workaround and recording the shortened portion of the video you have. It's functional but not practical.

To make basic edits quickly, you need a solution like Wondershare Filmora. In just a couple of steps, you can trim your video or make any advanced edits you'd like and have a high-quality output you won't find with basic media players like VLC.