How to Make Shorts From YouTube Video | A Simple Guide for Beginners

Why convert YouTube videos into shorts

Before learning how to change a video to a Short on YouTube, it's important to understand the significance of short-form content. Here are some key reasons why transforming your videos into shorts is worth considering:

• Boost engagement

Short videos are perfect for keeping your audience interested with fast-paced, concise content. Viewers are more likely to engage by liking, commenting, and sharing, which can boost your visibility. This leads to more interaction with your channel.

• Reach new audiences

YouTube Shorts are shown to a wider audience on the Shorts feed, which helps your content get discovered by people who don't usually watch your longer videos. This gives you a chance to attract new subscribers. The quick format also makes it easy for users to watch multiple videos in one session.

• Repurpose content

Turning parts of your longer videos into Shorts is a smart way to reuse content you've already created. This saves time and effort while giving your older videos a fresh opportunity to reach new viewers. It also helps you stay active on your channel without making completely new videos.

• Leverage trends

By converting videos into Shorts, you can easily jump on popular trends and challenges. This helps keep your content current and relevant and attracts viewers who are following those trends. It’s an easy way to stay connected with the latest topics and viral moments.

• Grow channel fast

Shorts can quickly attract a large number of views, which gives your channel an immediate boost. With more people watching your content, you’re more likely to gain subscribers, increasing your overall growth. The fast pace of shorts can lead to a snowball effect in terms of channel visibility.

How to create Shorts from YouTube videos in YouTube Studio

To make Shorts from YouTube videos in YouTube Studio, follow these easy steps:

STEP 1
1. Open the video editor

Go to YouTube Studio and click on "Content." Choose the video you want to edit and select "Editor." You'll be directed to a page where you can trim and cut your video.

STEP 2
1. Trim the video

In the editor, click on "Trim and cut." A blue box will appear. You can drag the ends of the blue box to shorten the video, which removes unnecessary parts from the beginning or end. Use the preview player to check your changes.

STEP 3
1. Make cuts in the middle

If you want to trim a section from the middle of the video, click "New cut." A red box will appear, and you can drag the sides to cover the part you want to remove. To fine-tune, you can also input the exact time for the cuts.

STEP 4
1. Save your edits

Once you're happy with your edits, click "Save." If you want to make additional cuts, move the playhead to a new section and repeat the process. You can also preview your changes before saving and use the undo or redo buttons if needed.

If you want to edit videos more easily, don't miss CapCut. CapCut takes it a step further by intelligently generating Shorts, not just trimming and cutting, ensuring your content is optimized for maximum impact. Now, let’s explore how to make the most of CapCut’s long video-to-short feature.

How to create YouTube Shorts from videos on the PC

When you want to make a short video from YouTube's existing video, it's essential to use an advanced video editor. While many tools are available, the CapCut desktop video editor stands out as the best choice.

The CapCut desktop video editor is the best video-to-YouTube Shorts converter. With easy-to-use tools, you can trim, cut, and adjust videos to fit the shorts format perfectly. Its user-friendly interface helps you edit quickly, which makes the process efficient. Below, we’ll show you how to make YouTube Shorts from a video using CapCut on your PC.

Convert a long video to shorts in the CapCut desktop video editor

If you haven't installed CapCut on your PC yet, click the button below to download and install the app. Then follow these steps on how to create a short from a YouTube video.

STEP 1
1. Convert a long video to shorts

Launch CapCut and click on the "Long video to shorts" button to bring your video from your device into the editing workspace.

STEP 2
1. Edit and get shorts

Upload your video to the timeline and trim it by dragging from either end to remove unwanted parts. Use the "Select caption template" tool to add captions for better accessibility. Next, go to the "Set duration for Shorts" tab to adjust the video length to under 60 seconds. Finally, click "Convert" to turn your video into a YouTube Short.

STEP 3
1. Export and share

Once you're satisfied with your edits, click on the "Export" button and adjust the settings. Use the "YouTube" option to upload your video directly to your channel for smooth sharing.

Key features

• Precisely trim and cut videos

The video trimmer enables you to precisely trim and cut videos, which makes it easy to remove unwanted sections with great accuracy.

• Convert long videos into short clips

You can easily convert long videos to shorts and edit them, which is perfect for YouTube Shorts.

• Auto-reframe videos in one click

With the auto-reframe feature, you can instantly adjust your video's aspect ratio to fit the Shorts format.

• Export shorts in high-quality

CapCut ensures that your shorts are exported in high resolution, which keeps the quality sharp and clear.

• Effective keyframe controls

Using keyframe animations, you can manage precise video movements and create smooth transitions and effects throughout your clip.

How to create YouTube Shorts from YouTube videos on the phone

If you're on mobile, you can also benefit from the CapCut mobile app, which provides the same features as CapCut for PC. The CapCut mobile app is a powerful video editing tool designed to create YouTube Shorts from existing videos on your phone. It provides a range of features, including easy trimming, cutting, and adding dynamic effects. Whether for long videos or social media reels, CapCut provides everything you need for quick and effective video editing. In this section, we’ll show you how to make a YouTube Short from a video on your mobile device.

Edit a long video in the CapCut mobile app

Here's how to make a short YouTube video in the CapCut mobile app:

STEP 1
1. Add your video to CapCut

Open the CapCut app and tap on "New project." Choose the video you want to trim from your device.Select the part to trim

STEP 2
1. Select the part to trim

Tap on the video in the timeline. Drag the white handles on either side of the clip to mark the beginning and end of the part you want to keep.

STEP 3
1. Save your trimmed video

Once you're satisfied with the trim, tap the "Export" icon at the top. Choose your preferred quality settings and save the video to your device.

Key features

• Easily trim and cut your videos with precision.
• CapCut automatically adjusts the aspect ratio of your video to fit the 9:16 format.
• Add engaging text, stickers, and effects to your videos.
• Add background music or sound effects that sync with the video perfectly.
• Exports videos in high resolution.

Tips to easily turn YouTube videos into shorts

Now that you know how to create a YouTube Short from an existing video, here are some helpful tips to simplify the process and make it even more effective.

• Focus on one idea

Keep your Shorts centered around a single, clear message. For example, if you’re sharing a quick cooking tip, focus on one key step, like “How to make the perfect scrambled eggs.” This helps viewers immediately understand the value of your content and stay engaged.

• Fast-paced content

Use quick cuts and transitions to maintain excitement. For example, when showcasing a fitness routine, you can quickly transition between exercises to keep the energy high. A lively rhythm encourages viewers to stay interested and watch until the end.

• Add subtitles

Subtitles ensure your video is accessible to a wider audience, especially those watching without sound. For example, if you’re doing a tutorial, adding captions like “Step 1: Boil the water” ensures that even without audio, viewers can follow along. It also helps those who are hard of hearing.

• Add background music

Music sets the tone and adds energy to your video. For example, if you're sharing a fun dance move or workout, adding an upbeat track can make the content feel more dynamic and exciting. Choose a track that matches the mood of your video, whether it's energetic or relaxed, to enhance viewer engagement.

• High-quality visuals

Use bright, clear visuals to make your video stand out. For instance, if you’re filming a makeup tutorial, ensure the lighting is bright and your camera captures every detail of the products. High-quality footage will grab viewers' attention and keep them interested in your content.

Conclusion

After learning how to make a YouTube video shorter, you can easily trim your videos and remove unnecessary parts. This is an effective way to boost engagement and keep viewers hooked. Whether you're refining existing videos or creating new ones, the process becomes straightforward and efficient with the right editor.

For precise editing and smooth trimming, the CapCut desktop video editor is an excellent choice. It lets you convert long videos into professional short clips with ease.

FAQs

1
1. How do you turn a YouTube video into shorts on your mobile?

To convert a YouTube video to Short on your mobile, open the YouTube app and sign in. Tap the "+" icon and select "Create a Short" to access the shorts camera. You can either record a new vertical video or upload an existing one that makes sure the video is under 60 seconds long. After selecting or recording your video, you can enhance it with music, text, and filters. After finalizing, tap "Next" to add a description and upload your Short. If you are looking for an advanced editor, use the CapCut desktop video editor.

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1. Can I convert video into YouTube Shorts without losing quality?

Yes, you can convert videos to Shorts without losing quality by ensuring the video meets YouTube's recommended guidelines. The video should have a 9:16 aspect ratio, be under 60 seconds in length, and be saved in MP4 format. By adhering to these specifications, you can maintain the original quality of your video when uploading it as short. If you want to maintain the quality of your video during editing, the CapCut desktop video editor is the best option. With CapCut's long video-to-short features, you can easily trim, crop, and adjust your video to fit the 9:16 aspect ratio without compromising its quality.

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1. How does making YouTube videos shorter impact retention?

Shortening YouTube videos can have a positive impact on retention, as viewers tend to prefer concise content. Studies show that videos under 90 seconds hold viewers’ attention much better, with half of the viewers staying engaged until the end. Shorter videos are also more likely to be shared, which helps increase their reach and engagement. To create videos that are both engaging and of high quality, consider using the CapCut desktop video editor. You can easily add video effects and transitions. This enables you to easily edit and refine your videos before uploading.