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How to Edit Videos With YouTube’s Built-in Video Editor Tool

Key takeaways:

  • YouTube’s video editor is a free, simple tool for trimming, cutting, and enhancing your videos
  • You can blur faces or objects, add music, and make basic edits right within YouTube Studio
  • The editor is best for quick, minor changes rather than complex, professional-level editing

YouTube offers a surprisingly powerful built-in video editor that allows you to make basic edits and enhancements to your videos, all without ever leaving the YouTube platform. While it may not have all the advanced features of professional editing software, it’s a great free option for content creators who need to make quick trims, add music, blur sensitive information, or splice together multiple clips.

In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to use YouTube’s video editor, highlight its key features, and share some tips to help you get the most out of this handy tool.

Accessing the YouTube Video Editor

To start editing a video using YouTube’s tool, first sign in to YouTube Studio. Then:

  1. Click on the Content tab in the left sidebar
  2. Hover over the video you want to edit and click the pencil icon
  3. In the left menu on the video details page, click Editor

This will launch the YouTube video editor interface where you can begin making changes to your video.

Trimming and Cutting Videos

One of the most basic yet useful features is the ability to trim off the beginning or end of your video. This is great for removing awkward lead-ins or cutting out the excess at the end of a clip.

To trim your video:

  • Drag the blue bars on the video timeline to set new start and end points
  • Click Preview to see how your trimmed video will look
  • If satisfied, click Save to apply the changes

You can also cut out segments from the middle of your video:

  1. Move the playhead (white vertical line) to where you want to make a cut
  2. Click Trim then Split to divide the video at that point
  3. Drag the blue bars to select the section you want to remove
  4. Click Preview then Save to cut out that portion

Blurring Faces and Objects

If your video contains faces or sensitive information you don’t want visible, the YouTube editor’s blurring tool comes in handy. You have two options:

  • Face blur – automatically detects and blurs faces throughout the video
  • Custom blur – allows you to manually select a specific area to blur

Simply choose your preferred blur method, adjust the blurred area if needed, then click Save to process the blurring effect.

Note that you cannot trim and blur in the same editing session. Blurring will need to be done separately.

Adding Music

You can spice up your videos with music from YouTube’s free Audio Library. Here’s how:

  1. In the editor, click the Add Music icon
  2. Browse the tracks or search for a specific song
  3. Click a track to preview it, then click Add to insert it
  4. Adjust the volume level and choose whether to have the song play for the full video or just a clip

Keep in mind you can only add one music track per video using YouTube’s editor. For multi-track audio, you’ll need to use a more advanced editing tool.

Tips for Using YouTube’s Video Editor

While fairly straightforward to use, there are a few things to keep in mind to get the best results when editing with YouTube’s built-in tool:

  • Edit strategically – Make a mental outline of the edits you need before diving in. This will help you use the editor efficiently and avoid wasting time.
  • Keep it simple – The YouTube editor is best suited for basic tweaks rather than elaborate, multi-step edits. For more complex projects, consider using a dedicated video editing software.
  • Save as you go – YouTube’s editor doesn’t have an auto-save feature. Regularly click the Save button, especially after completing an important edit.
  • Preview before finalizing – Always watch a preview of your edited video before saving changes. It’s easier to catch mistakes and make sure the video flows well before making things permanent.
  • Have music ready – If you plan to add music, have a song in mind or budget time to browse the Audio Library. Don’t let a lengthy song search derail your editing progress.

FAQ

How long can videos be trimmed using the YouTube editor?

Videos must be under 6 hours long to use the Trim feature. For longer videos, you’ll need to make cuts using a separate video editing software before uploading.

Can I add my own music to videos?

No, the built-in YouTube editor only allows you to add tracks from the free Audio Library. To use your own music, you’ll need to edit the video outside of YouTube.

Is there a limit to how much I can blur?

You can only apply face blur or custom blur to one area per video. If you need to blur multiple sections, it’s best to use an external video editing program that offers more robust blurring tools.

Can I add text or titles to my video in the editor?

No, the YouTube editor does not currently have a text or title feature. Again, for this you would need to use a more full-featured editing application.

What happens to the original video when I make edits?

Edits made in the YouTube editor are applied to the original uploaded video. If you want to preserve the original, make a copy of the video first before editing. You can also download the original video file from YouTube Studio if needed.

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