How to Clip a YouTube Video (and Turn It Into Shorts, TikToks and Reels)

To clip a YouTube video, open the video, select Clip (under the video on mobile, or in the More menu on a computer), drag the slider to pick 5 to 60 seconds, and select Share clip. That gives you a link to that moment, not a video file. If you want to post the clip on YouTube Shorts, TikTok or Reels, you need the source video, the owner's permission and a vertical edit. That second kind of clipping is what clippers do, and this guide covers both.

Quick answer: the YouTube Clip button

YouTube has a built-in Clip tool. We checked YouTube Help in October 2026. Here's how it works.

On a computer:

1. Sign in and open the video.
2. Select the More button (three dots) under the video, then Clip.
3. Add a title, up to 140 characters.
4. Drag the slider to choose the part you want, from 5 to 60 seconds.
5. Select Share clip, then copy the link, embed it, or share it to a social network or by email.

On a phone (Android or iPhone):

1. Open the video.
2. Swipe the buttons under the video to the right and tap Clip.
3. Drag the slider to choose your section.
4. Tap Share clip.

The limits:

• A clip is 5 to 60 seconds long.
• It's a share link that plays inside YouTube. It isn't a file you can upload elsewhere.
• Clipping is on by default, but creators can turn it off for their channel.
• You can't clip a live stream that has no DVR (rewind).
• If the original video is deleted or made private, the clip is removed too.
• Clips are public to anyone who can watch the original video, and the creator can see every clip made from their videos.

The Clip button vs. actually clipping a video

The word "clip" means two different things here.

	YouTube Clip button	Clipping for Shorts, TikTok and Reels
What you get	A share link to 5 to 60 seconds of the video	A new vertical video file
Where it plays	Inside YouTube, on the original video	Posted as its own Short, TikTok or Reel
Format	Same as the original, usually wide 16:9	Reframed to tall 9:16
Editing	None, just start and end points	Hook, captions, cuts, zooms
Who it's for	Viewers sharing a favorite moment	Creators and the clippers they hire
Permission	Built in, creators can turn it off	Needs the owner's OK

If you just want to send a friend a funny moment, the Clip button is all you need. If you want a clip that gets views on its own, you need to edit one.

How clippers turn a YouTube video into Shorts, TikToks and Reels

This is the workflow clippers use when a YouTuber or podcaster hires them.

1. Get the source file and permission

Clippers work from the original file, sent by the creator they work for, or from their own videos. This gives the best quality and makes it clear you're allowed to use it. Don't rip other people's videos with downloaders. See do you need permission to clip streams, and how to get clips for edits for footage you can practice on.

2. Find the moments

A 30-minute video often has 5 to 15 moments worth posting. Look for a clear start, a payoff, and a reason to keep watching: a strong opinion, a story, a funny reaction or a useful tip. Write down the timestamps as you watch.

3. Cut and reframe to 9:16

Trim each moment tight, usually 15 to 60 seconds. Then reframe the wide video into a tall frame so it fills a phone screen, keeping the speaker's face in the center. See vertical video and the 9:16 aspect ratio.

4. Add a hook and captions

The first seconds decide if people keep watching. Start on the most interesting line, or add a short text hook. Most short-form viewers watch with the sound off, so add captions too. See the video hook and the first 3 seconds.

5. Export and deliver

Export at 1080 x 1920. A freelance clipper sends the files to the creator, who posts them on their own channels. On YouTube itself, only the owner of a video can turn one of its clips into a Short.

Do you need permission to clip YouTube videos?

Yes, if you're posting clips as your own videos. The Clip button is allowed because YouTube built it in and creators can turn it off. Re-uploading someone else's video as a Short or TikTok is a different thing, and copyright rules apply. This isn't legal advice.

The simple rule clippers follow: clip your own videos, or videos from a creator who hired you or gave you written permission. Some creators also run open clipping campaigns that invite people to post clips. Read the campaign's rules first. More detail is in do you need permission to clip streams.

Tools for clipping YouTube videos

You can clip with two kinds of tools:

• Manual editors like CapCut (free), Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve. You pick and cut every moment yourself, with full control over hooks, captions and pacing.
• AI first-pass tools like OpusClip. They suggest moments, reframe them and add captions in minutes. Most clippers still review and fix each clip before it goes out.

Many clippers use both: an AI tool to find candidates, then an editor to finish them. Our guide to the best video editing software for clippers compares the main options, and Opus Clip alternatives covers the AI apps.

Getting paid to clip YouTube videos

If you enjoy this work, YouTubers and podcasters pay clippers to do it for them. Freelance clips typically pay $15 to $35 each for simple talking-head or podcast edits, and $50 to $75 or more for complex work. Steady clients often move to a monthly retainer. See clipper pay rates for the full breakdown.

To find YouTube clipping work, read how to get paid to clip YouTube videos, browse clipping jobs, or start with how to become a clipper if you're new.

FAQ

Why can't I clip a YouTube video?

The most common reason is that the creator turned clipping off for their channel. You also can't clip a live stream without DVR (rewind). The Clip button may also be missing on some video types, such as Shorts or videos made for kids, and you may need to be signed in.

How long can a YouTube clip be?

A YouTube clip can be 5 to 60 seconds long, as of October 2026. For longer moments, you need to edit the source video yourself or share a timestamp link to the full video.

Can I download a YouTube clip?

No. A YouTube clip is a share link that plays inside YouTube, not a downloadable file. To make a video file, clippers work from the original video sent by the creator they work for, or from their own uploads.

Can I post someone else's YouTube clip on TikTok?

Only with the owner's permission. Re-uploading someone else's video as your own TikTok, Short or Reel can break copyright rules and get your post removed. Clippers get permission from the creator they work for, or join an official clipping campaign. See our permissions guide for more.

How do clippers get paid for YouTube clips?

Most freelance clippers are paid a fixed fee per clip, per batch or per month by the YouTuber they work for, typically $15 to $35 per simple clip. Others join view-based clipping campaigns and earn per 1,000 views on clips they post themselves.

What's the best way to clip a YouTube video for Shorts?

Start from the original file, cut a 15 to 60 second moment, reframe it to 9:16, add a hook in the first seconds and captions, then export at 1080 x 1920. CapCut is a free way to start.