How to Make a Clip from YouTube: A Comprehensive Guide

What are YouTube clips

YouTube clips are the short snippets you take from a YouTube video. Something like a funny moment or a particularly informative part of a full video. It's a way to share bite-sized chunks of existing videos. Let's say you stumble upon an interesting part in a video and you want to share it with friends. This is where you could make a clip from YouTube.

If you create your own YouTube content, you can also use clips to share teasers or exciting bits from the full video. Essentially, creating trailers to draw viewers in. To make a video clip from YouTube, it has to be between 5 to 60 seconds long. And the best part is you can make as many clips as you want from one video.

Not all YouTube videos are for clipping, unfortunately. Only videos with at least 2 minutes in length can be clipped, which means that YouTube Shorts can't be clipped. But if your video meets the requirements, you'll see a little scissors icon under the menu bar below. Now all you need to know is how to make a clip from YouTube.

How to make a video clip from YouTube using its built-in editor

Making a clip from a YouTube video should be easy for you. All you need is a channel so you can share your clipped video. Follow these steps to clip your video.

STEP 1
1. Sign in and find the video

Visit YouTube and locate the video you want to clip. Make sure you are logged in with your channel account.

STEP 2
1. Use the Clip feature

Next, click "Clip" below the video player to start clipping the video. Clipping starts right after you click the button, so you have to wait until the point you want to clip from.

STEP 3
1. Customize and share your clip

Now adjust the length and determine which parts you need to create the video clip from YouTube to clip. Next, type a title for your newly clipped video and click "Share Clip." Choose an option for sharing the clip: You can embed it in a website, share it on social media, copy the link, or send it as an email.

Pros and cons of using YouTube's built-in editor

This is how to make short clips from YouTube videos. However, you might want to do more than just clip a YouTube video. This is where you need an alternative tool. Maybe you want to remix or create trailer clips from your videos. You need a powerful video editor like CapCut desktop to get the job done.

How to make a YouTube clip with a CapCut desktop video editor

CapCut desktop video editor is a user-friendly tool that gives creators full control over their videos. It comes with advanced features that make editing quick and easy. One of its best features is the ability to turn long videos into shorter clips. You can quickly pick out the best moments and create engaging YouTube Shorts. With just a few clicks, your content is ready to reach a wider audience.

Create YouTube short videos in 4 steps

Make sure you are using the latest version of CapCut on your PC. If you haven't installed it yet, simply click the button below to download and set it up. After that, follow these steps to start creating YouTube Shorts:

STEP 1
1. Access the "Long video to shorts"

Launch CapCut on your computer. On the main screen, click on the "Long video to shorts" option. This will take you to the workspace where you can begin creating your short clips.

STEP 2
1. Upload your videos

You can either drag and drop your long video into the workspace or upload it from Dropbox, Google Drive, or Space. Once your video is uploaded, it will appear immediately, ready for you to edit and convert.

STEP 3
1. Convert long videos into shorts

Select a caption template that aligns with the style you want for your short video. You can also set the clip duration based on your needs. When you're ready, just click the "Convert" button.

CapCut will create short videos with captions and hashtags based on your topic. If you want to fine-tune the video further, you can click the "Edit" button. If you're happy with the result, you can proceed to export it.

STEP 4
1. Export and share

Once you're done, you can share your short videos directly on YouTube by clicking the corresponding button. If you want to save the video for later, click "Export" and adjust settings like resolution, frame rate, codec, and format according to your preferences.

Key features

• Convert lengthy footage into shorts

Quickly cut long videos into short, catchy clips using CapCut's smart tools. It's perfect for creating YouTube Shorts or TikTok videos in minutes.

• Adjustable video length

You can easily set the length of each short video. This helps you match the style and rules of different platforms.

• Professionally caption templates

You can choose from ready-made caption styles that look clean and professional. This will save you time and make your videos more engaging.

• Support across 20+ languages

CapCut allows you to add subtitles to videos in over 20 languages. It's great for reaching diverse audiences worldwide.

• Integrate topic text

CapCut streamlines the process of adding themed text to your videos, ensuring your message is clear and amplifying the impact of your visuals.

• Publish directly to YouTube

When you finish editing, you can post videos straight to YouTube without leaving CapCut. This makes the sharing process fast and easy.

How to edit YouTube videos with the CapCut mobile app

The CapCut mobile app is a simple tool for editing YouTube videos on your phone. It enables you to trim clips, add music, and apply effects to improve your videos. The AutoCut feature helps you join clips and add smooth transitions effortlessly. Whether you're editing at home or on the move, CapCut helps you create great videos quickly and easily.

Edit YouTube videos with the CapCut mobile app

Here is a step-by-step guide to using the AutoCut tool in the CapCut mobile app:

STEP 1
1. Access the AutoCut tool

Open CapCut on your phone and sign in. On the main screen, tap "Auto Cut" to begin editing your video.

STEP 2
1. Upload video clips

Select the videos you want to work with from your gallery. After making your selection, tap "Next" to move on.

STEP 3
1. Edit the video

Tap "Allow" to let CapCut use its templates to create your video. You can change the music or pick a new template. For more control, trim the clips, apply filters, and make adjustments as needed.

STEP 4
1. Export and Share

Once you’re happy with your video, tap the "Export" button in the top-right corner. You can save the video to the phone's gallery or publish it directly on platforms like Instagram or TikTok.

Key features

• Auto-merge your footage effortlessly

CapCut makes it easy to merge your clips into one smooth video. It automatically joins your footage, saving you time and effort.

• Create with AI-driven templates

CapCut offers ready-made templates that simplify video creation. Simply select a template, and the app will help you convert your clips into a video.

• Sync music to your story

CapCut helps you add music that matches the beat of your video. The app automatically syncs the sound, making your video feel more professional.

• Dynamic transitions and stunning effects

CapCut has a variety of transitions and effects to enhance your video. These features make your video more exciting and engaging for your audience.

• Instant export and social sharing

When your video is finished, CapCut lets you export and share it right away. You can easily post it to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube.

What are the best practices for making clips from YouTube

Clipping YouTube videos is a great way to grab those short, interesting moments and use them for your own purposes. But before you hit the clip button, here are a few key things to keep in mind.

• Whatever video you are clipping, you need to make sure the audio is clear. Just check to make sure the version of the video you are clipping is the best quality and has clear audio.
• Remember, you need to emphasize the most important part of the full video. So, be sure to clip the engaging part of your video so it captures the attention of new viewers:
• Clips shouldn't be too long, but they shouldn't be too short, either. The length of your clips should be optimal. If you need to create a clip from YouTube, 10 seconds to 60 seconds is ideal. Remember that you cannot clip YouTube videos shorter than 2 minutes.
• If you want to clip a video, consider its resolution and aspect ratio based on which platform you intend to share it on. Also, if you are using a third-party app like CapCut to make a clip of a YouTube video, then you should consider using an aspect ratio ideal for YouTube, with the resolution.
• Not every video is available for clipping. When clipping content from uploaded videos, make sure you comply with YouTube partner policies. Videos from news channels may not be ideal for clipping and resharing on YouTube.

Conclusion

Today, we have covered how to create a video clip from YouTube and all about creating video clips for YouTube. Remember the importance of selecting the right moments and also making sure you comply with YouTube policies when clipping. Extract and share your favorite clips happily. However, for creating YouTube Shorts quickly and precisely, you can use the CapCut desktop video editor. If you want a simple solution on your phone, consider using the CapCut mobile app.

FAQs

1
1. Can I create a clip from YouTube that's longer than 1 minute?

YouTube doesn't allow you to clip videos longer than one minute. But you can create your clips from YouTube with third-party apps like CapCut. The CapCut desktop video editor offers more precise editing and faster results. Additionally, if you prefer to edit on the go, the CapCut mobile app is an excellent choice for quickly and easily creating video clips.

2
1. What is the difference between a YouTube clip and a short video?

Although both may be short videos, YouTube shorts are mostly vertical or portrait, while YouTube clips may still have the horizontal or landscape aspect ratio since it was clipped from the main video. However, to create YouTube Shorts in the correct format quickly, you can use the CapCut desktop video editor. For mobile users, the CapCut mobile app is the top choice for easily adjusting video formats.

3
1. Can you add background music after creating a clip from YouTube?

You can add background music to your YouTube clips using external applications like CapCut. With the CapCut desktop video editor, you can easily add music and adjust it to your clip. Also, you can use the CapCut mobile app as a simple way to add music and effects on the go.