Master Your Edit: 100 Essential Premiere Pro Keyboard Shortcuts You Need to Know

Why Keyboard Shortcuts Matter in Premiere Pro

Increased Editing Speed and Efficiency

Every second counts during post-production. By using essential Premiere Pro shortcuts, you minimize repetitive mouse movements, speeding up everything from timeline trimming to audio tweaking.

Improved Workflow and Productivity

Learning Premiere Pro quick keys turns complex tasks into simple keystrokes. When your hands stay on the keyboard, your creative flow remains uninterrupted, boosting productivity.

Reduced Strain and Increased Comfort

Less mousing means less wrist strain. Editors who rely on Premiere Pro editing shortcuts often find longer sessions more comfortable, reducing fatigue.

The “Secret Weapon” of Professional Editors

Ask any seasoned pro: shortcuts are not optional. They’re the secret sauce for delivering faster turnarounds and meeting tight deadlines without sacrificing quality.

Getting Started with the Basics

• Save: Ctrl + S / Cmd + S
• Save As: Ctrl + Shift + S / Cmd + Shift + S
• New Project: Ctrl + Alt + N / Cmd + Option + N
• Open Project: Ctrl + O / Cmd + O
• Close Project: Ctrl + Shift + W / Cmd + Shift + W
• Undo: Ctrl + Z / Cmd + Z
• Redo: Ctrl + Shift + Z / Cmd + Shift + Z
• Cut: Ctrl + X / Cmd + X
• Copy: Ctrl + C / Cmd + C
• Paste: Ctrl + V / Cmd + V
• Select All: Ctrl + A / Cmd + A
• Deselect All: Ctrl + Shift + A / Cmd + Shift + A

Navigating and Editing in the Timeline

Working with Clips

• Select Clip at Playhead: D
• Duplicate Clip: Alt + Drag / Option + Drag
• Link Clips: Ctrl + L / Cmd + L
• Unlink Clips: Ctrl + L / Cmd + L
• Enable/Disable Clip: Shift + E
• Group Clips: Ctrl + G / Cmd + G
• Ungroup Clips: Ctrl + Shift + G / Cmd + Shift + G
• Speed/Duration Settings: Ctrl + R / Cmd + R
• Audio Gain: G
• Nudge Clip Left (1 Frame): Alt + Left Arrow / Option + Left Arrow
• Nudge Clip Right (1 Frame): Alt + Right Arrow / Option + Right Arrow
• Replace Clip from Source Monitor: Alt + Drag

Need help picking the best templates to pair with these edits? Check out Pixflow’s Premiere Pro Templates for a pro look, fast.

Sequence and Project Panel Shortcuts

• New Sequence: Ctrl + N / Cmd + N
• Render Effects in Work Area: Enter
• Match Frame: F
• Apply Default Transition (Video): Ctrl + D / Cmd + D
• Apply Default Transition (Audio): Ctrl + Shift + D / Cmd + Shift + D
• Make Subsequence: Ctrl + U / Cmd + U
• Reveal Project Item: Ctrl + Shift + F / Cmd + Shift + F
• Toggle Audio Scrubbing: Shift + S
• Duplicate Project Item: Ctrl + D / Cmd + D
• Rename Project Item: Enter
  

Marker Shortcuts

• Add Marker: M
• Go to Next Marker: Shift + M
• Go to Previous Marker: Ctrl + Shift + M / Cmd + Shift + M
• Clear Marker: Ctrl + Alt + M / Cmd + Option + M
• Mark In: I
• Mark Out: O
  

Viewing and Playback Shortcuts

• Toggle Full-Screen Playback: Ctrl + \ / Cmd + \
• Loop Playback: Ctrl + L / Cmd + L
• Toggle Safe Margins: ‘
• Show Audio Time Units: Ctrl + Shift + Alt + H
• Shuttle Forward: L
• Shuttle Reverse: J
• Pause Shuttle: K
• Increase Playback Speed: Press L multiple times
• Decrease Playback Speed: Press J multiple times
• Toggle Play/Stop: K

Tools and Editing Shortcuts

• • Selection Tool: V
  • Razor Tool: C
  • Track Select Forward Tool: A
  • Track Select Backward Tool: Shift + A
  • Ripple Edit Tool: B
  • Rolling Edit Tool: N
  • Slip Tool: Y
  • Slide Tool: U
  • Pen Tool: P

• • Hand Tool: H

Color, Audio, Multi-Cam, and Metadata

• Open Lumetri Color Panel: Shift + 7
• Reset Lumetri Effect: Double-click parameter
• Bypass Lumetri Color: F7

Audio Editing Shortcuts:

• Audio Clip Mixer: Shift + 9
• Mute Track: Shift + S
• Solo Track: Shift + M
• Adjust Audio Volume Keyframe: Ctrl + Drag

Multi-Cam Editing Shortcuts:

• Enable Multi-Camera Mode: Shift + 0
• Cut to Camera 1: 1
• Cut to Camera 2: 2
• Cut to Camera 3: 3

Metadata and Labels:

• Open Metadata Panel: Shift + 5
• Label Clip (Color): Ctrl + 9 / Cmd + 9

Change Label Color: Right-click Clip > Label

Tips and Customization

Tips for Learning and Mastering Premiere Pro Shortcuts

• Start with the Most Frequent Actions: Focus on shortcuts you use daily.
• Learn in Chunks: Tackle 5-10 shortcuts at a time.
• Practice Regularly: Repetition is key.
• Use a Printable Cheat Sheet: Keep it by your desk for easy access.
• Consider Custom Shortcuts: Tailor your workspace for maximum efficiency.

Customizing Your Keyboard Shortcuts

Premiere Pro allows you to customize and remap your keyboard shortcuts through the Keyboard Shortcuts panel (Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts).
Personalize your setup to match your unique editing style and turbocharge your Premiere Pro workflow.

Conclusion