shortcutsguide

Premiere Pro Keyboard Shortcuts

The Premiere Pro editing shortcuts that make cutting fast — Mac and Windows keys side by side, ready to copy.

ActionMacWindows
Selection tool V V
Track Select Forward A A
Ripple Edit tool B B
Rate Stretch tool R R
Razor (cut) tool C C
Slip tool Y Y
Slide tool U U
Pen tool P P
Hand tool H H
Zoom tool Z Z
Play / Stop Space Space
Shuttle left / stop / right J / K / L J / K / L
Step back / forward one frame ← / → Left / Right
Add edit (cut at playhead) ⌘K Ctrl+K
Add edit to all tracks ⌘⇧K Ctrl+Shift+K
Mark In I I
Mark Out O O
Insert comma ,
Overwrite period .
Lift semicolon ;
Extract apostrophe '
Ripple Delete ⇧Delete Shift+Delete
Delete (lift) Delete Delete
Nudge clip left / right ⌥, / ⌥. Alt+, / Alt+.
Toggle snapping S S
Match frame F F
Add marker M M
Zoom in / out timeline = / - = / -
Go to sequence start / end Home / End Home / End
New sequence ⌘N Ctrl+N
Import ⌘I Ctrl+I
Export Media ⌘M Ctrl+M
Save ⌘S Ctrl+S
Undo ⌘Z Ctrl+Z
Redo ⌘⇧Z Ctrl+Shift+Z

Fast editing in Premiere Pro is built on three habits: J–K–L to shuttle and stop the playhead, I and O to mark in and out points, and comma / period to Insert or Overwrite the clip into your timeline. Master those and you can edit a rough cut almost without the mouse.

The tool shortcuts (V selection, C razor, B ripple, Y slip) are the same on Mac and Windows. Command shortcuts swap ⌘ for Ctrl. Two big time-savers: Add Edit (⌘K / Ctrl+K) cuts the clip at the playhead without switching to the razor, and Ripple Delete (⇧Delete / Shift+Delete) removes a clip and closes the gap in one step.

FAQ

What are the JKL shortcuts in Premiere Pro?

J plays backward, K stops, and L plays forward. Press J or L repeatedly to speed up the shuttle. This is the fastest way to scrub footage without the mouse.

How do I cut a clip at the playhead in Premiere Pro?

Press ⌘K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows) to add an edit at the playhead on the targeted track — no need to switch to the Razor tool. Use ⌘⇧K / Ctrl+Shift+K to cut all tracks.

What is the difference between Delete and Ripple Delete?

Delete lifts the clip and leaves a gap; Ripple Delete (⇧Delete / Shift+Delete) removes the clip and closes the gap by shifting later clips left.