How to Trim Videos on TikTok: 3 Easy Ways & Bonus Tips

How long should your TikTok videos be?

Currently, TikTok allows users to create and share videos that run up to 60 seconds in length. But does that mean all of your videos should last a full minute? 

The ideal length for a TikTok video will vary depending on the kind of content you create and the audience you want to reach, as well as specific details relating to your production choices. However, generally speaking, shorter TikTok videos tend to perform best, driving engagement and maintaining interest. 

Your TikTok videos need to be at least 10 seconds long. Research shows that the ideal duration for a successful TikTok video is between 21 and 34 seconds. This is long enough to capture your audience’s attention and offer valuable content without compromising on focus or engagement.  

How to trim TikTok videos directly in the app: 3 ways

Ready to start editing your TikTok video content? The good news is that the TikTok app offers great built-in editing tools that make it easy to trim and adjust content. 

Using the TikTok app directly, you can trim and edit TikTok videos in a variety of ways, regardless of whether you capture content within the app or upload video files. Try these methods to get started!

How to trim recorded TikTok videos

Capturing TikTok videos in the app can help you access simple, easy-to-use recording tools and save time when you’re ready to share your content. 

When you record content directly within the TikTok app, trimming video is simple. Follow these steps. 

Step 1: Launch the TikTok app on your mobile device. 

Step 2: At the bottom of your screen, select the + icon, and press the record button to start a new recording. 

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Step 3: When your recording is complete, stop recording, and select the trim icon second from the top from the menu on the right side of your screen.

Step 4: Click and drag the red slider at the bottom of your screen to adjust your video’s duration and trim content. 

Step 5: When you’re happy with your video, click Save, and move on to write your description, set your video thumbnail, and share your project. 

How to trim uploaded TikTok videos

Sometimes, it’s just not possible to record videos directly via TikTok. Perhaps you filmed on another recording device, or perhaps you prefer your phone’s camera app more. 

What happens if you’re uploading an existing video to TikTok? You can still use TikTok’s native editing tools to trim your content. Follow these steps. 

Step 1: Launch the TikTok app on your mobile device. 

Step 2: At the bottom of your screen, select the + icon. 

Step 3: To the right of the record button, select Upload, and select the video you want to upload from your device’s camera roll. 

Now you can just follow the same steps as above, which would go as follows:

Step 4: Select the trim icon from the right-side menu. Then click and drag the red slider at the bottom of your screen to trim content or adjust video duration. 

Step 5: When ready, select Done to finalize results, and set a video thumbnail and description before sharing. 

How to trim stitched TikTok videos

Stitching TikTok videos is a great way to join conversations and work to build your community and connections on TikTok. 

You can easily use TikTok’s built-in tools to trim stitched videos, including both the source material and your original video content. Follow these steps. 

Step 1: Launch the TikTok app, and find the video you want to stitch. 

Step 2: Select the ellipsis icon on the right side of your screen.

Step 3: Choose Stitch from the menu that appears. 

Step 4: On the edit screen, click and drag the red slider at the bottom of your screen to trim video content. 

Step 5: When you’ve trimmed your video, click Next to add your own content. Then follow the steps to finalize your original content and share your video. 

TikTok trimming software to streamline your workflow: Riverside

While TikTok offers great options for in-app video trimming, you may want to try alternate software that provides a smoother editing process.

Riverside streamlines your workflow by making it easy to achieve studio-quality content from beginning to end. You can capture videos with up to 4K resolution and 48kHZ sound quality while inviting guests to join no matter where they are. You’ll receive separate audio, video, and screen tracks for each participant to maximize your editing control. Everything also records locally on each person’s device, so you don’t need to worry about your internet ruining your resolution.

But beyond recordings, Riverside’s editing suite cuts your work and saves you plenty of time. Our Magic Clips tool uses Ai to identify key moments in your recordings and turns them into short, shareable clips ideal for a platform like TikTok. Instead of sifting through and editing everything independently, you can create short-form content from long-form recordings at the tap of one simple button. 

If you like you can edit and adjust these clips in Riverside’s text-based editor. Here you can choose a layout compatible with TikTok, and then you can trim your clip or recording by simply deleting some text. Our editor works with Ai transcriptions of your recordings, where any text you delete removes its corresponding footage. You can then polish things off by adding open captions, styling them as you like, and adding your own background or logo. 

These features allow even complete video production beginners to take their TikTok content to the next level.

Key features:

• Capture up to 4K video resolution and 48kHz sound quality
• Invite up to 8 participants from anywhere in the world
• Receive separate audio, video, and screen tracks for all participants
• Access advanced editing controls and capabilities, including trimming
• Use Magic Clips Ai to automatically create short, shareable videos
• Edit and adjust clips quickly and easily using the text-based editor 

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How to automatically clip TikTok videos with Riverside

Give Riverside a try, and get ready to achieve better results for your TikTok video content. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose an existing studio or create a new one to invite guests and record your content. (You can learn more about studios and the recording process here.)

Step 2: Select ‘view recordings’ when you finish your recording session to see all your takes. 

You can also do this from the studio dashboard to access previous recordings. Hover over the studio your recordings are from, and you’ll also see an option to ‘View recordings’.

Step 3: If you’d like to create multiple clips of your video recording, head to the Magic Clips box. 

Click on ‘Generate clips’ under the clips tab and the AI will create short-form videos of your recordings’ key moments. 

Step 4: If you’d like to adjust these clips, hover over one of them and select ‘edit’. This will take you to the editor.

You can also create your own clips fron scratch. Simply, click Go to editor at the top right of the view recordings screen.

Step 5: Edit and adjust your videos length. You can do this with the video timeline, or by deleting text in your recording transcript.

In the Editor you can also:

• Adjust your aspect ratio and select a 9:16 size ideal for TikTok
• Add video captions and stylize their font, color and positioning
• Fine-tune your audio by removing background noise and awkward silences

Step 6: When you are happy with your finalized video, select Export at the top right of your screen, and export to save your edited video project. 

Best practices for trimming TikTok videos

When trimming TikTok videos, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure you get the best results for your final video projects. 

Prioritize video quality

First, make sure that you aim for the highest possible video quality. This can help to showcase your professionalism as a creator, as well as assist you in creating content that engages your audience. 

Structure videos wisely

Before you trim your video project, consider the structure of your video. What are you trying to communicate, and which video elements are most critical to getting this message across? Aim to eliminate extraneous detail while keeping all footage that is directly relevant to your video and its goals. 

Review your footage

Never share a video without checking the quality of your trimming edits! When trimming content on TikTok, it can be easy to accidentally cut footage you want to keep. Avoid sharing a mistakenly trimmed video by carefully reviewing every project before you share it with your audience.  

Be willing to learn

The world of social media is always changing, and editing software tools are evolving too. Don’t be afraid to try a range of software options to trim and edit your TikTok videos, even if that means working outside of the app. Be willing to learn new skills and navigate systems that could help you elevate your content. 

Troubleshooting: Why won’t TikTok trim your videos?

Sometimes, you may encounter difficulties when trying to trim TikTok videos. Fortunately, there are troubleshooting tips and tricks you can try to resolve any issues. 

If the adjust clips option disappears from your TikTok project, check your video length. This could be a consequence of a video that is too short or too long to align with the app’s sharing standards. 

Remember, your TikTok video needs to be at least 10 seconds long and not exceed 60 seconds. If this is the cause of your problem, adding or removing content can be an easy fix. 

Alternatively, TikTok trimming features may be inaccessible as a result of specific filters. In some cases, TikTok limits access to trimming for videos that use incompatible effects, like the green screen. 

If this is the cause of your problem, Revisiting your video and removing these effects can offer a simple solution. You can trim your video ahead of time and add those effects again when you’re done. 

FAQs on how to trim a TikTok video

Still unsure about how to trim a TikTok video? Here are our answers to a few frequently asked questions! 

Can you crop video frame in TikTok?

TikTok videos are designed for mobile viewing. This means that the app is only compatible with videos that use a mobile-optimized aspect ratio of 9:16. If your video uses a different frame, it won’t be sharable on TikTok. However, you may be able to upload your video and use TikTok to reset it at the desired aspect ratio. 

Can you crop a TikTok video after posting?

Once your TikTok video is live, your editing options are limited. You can’t crop or trim a TikTok video after posting it. This is why it’s important to finalize your edits before sharing content. 

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Want to start making better TikTok videos that your audience will love? Try Riverside today, and enhance your video results.