Premiere Pro Keyboard Shortcuts: The Most Important Shortcuts for Working Faster

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🎬 Keyboard Shortcuts in Adobe Premiere Pro – The Most Important Shortcuts at a Glance

Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the most popular video editing programs in the world, used by professionals and beginners alike. With countless features for cutting, transitions, effects and audio editing, the program offers everything you need for video production. However, day-to-day work can quickly become confusing. If you want to work efficiently, you should know the most important keyboard shortcuts.

Below, we show you the most useful shortcuts, neatly listed in tables for Windows and macOS.

File – Quick Access to Projects and Imports

With these key combinations, you can create or save projects and import media without going through the menu. This saves time and clicks!

Command · Windows · macOS

New Project · Ctrl + Alt + N · Option + Command + N

New Sequence · Ctrl + N · Command + N

Open Project · Ctrl + O · Command + O

Save Project · Ctrl + S · Command + S

Save As · Ctrl + Shift + S · Shift + Command + S

Import · Ctrl + I · Command + I

Export (Media) · Ctrl + M · Command + M

Close Project · Ctrl + Shift + W · Shift + Command + W

Quit · Ctrl + Q · Command + Q

Edit – Undo, Copy, Paste & More

When editing, you often need the same functions, such as undo, copy or cut. With these shortcuts, you work more smoothly and don't interrupt your editing flow.

Command · Windows · macOS

Undo · Ctrl + Z · Command + Z

Redo · Ctrl + Shift + Z · Shift + Command + Z

Cut · Ctrl + X · Command + X

Copy · Ctrl + C · Command + C

Paste · Ctrl + V · Command + V

Clear · Delete · Delete

Duplicate · Ctrl + Shift + < · Shift + Command + <

Select All · Ctrl + A · Command + A

Trim – Cutting and Adjusting Clips

These keyboard shortcuts help you cut clips precisely. Whether you want to change the speed or join clips together, these shortcuts save you valuable time during fine-tuning.

Command · Windows · macOS

Change Speed/Duration · Ctrl + R · Command + R

Duplicate Clip · Ctrl + U · Command + U

Open Audio Gain · G · G

Overwrite · . · .

Unlink · Ctrl + L · Command + L

Group · Ctrl + G · Command + G

Ungroup · Ctrl + Shift + G · Shift + Command + G

Sequence – Trimming, Cutting and Rendering

Here you'll find shortcuts that are especially important when working with sequences. Whether you want to set a cut or render effects, these commands make things faster.

Command · Windows · macOS

Add Edit · Ctrl + K · Command + K

Add Edit to All Tracks · Ctrl + Shift + K · Shift + Command + K

Render In to Out · Enter · Enter

Match Frame · F · F

Apply Video Transition · Ctrl + D · Command + D

Apply Audio Transition · Ctrl + Shift + D · Shift + Command + D

Lift · Ctrl + Alt + ß · ^ + Ä

Markers – Setting and Organizing In and Out Points

When editing video, markers are super handy for flagging important spots or defining time ranges. These keyboard shortcuts make your work noticeably faster and more precise.

Command · Windows · macOS

Mark In · I · I

Mark Out · O · O

Mark Clip · X · X

Mark Selection · > · <

Go to In · Shift + I · Shift + I

Go to Out · Shift + O · Shift + O

Clear In Point · Ctrl + Shift + I · Option + I

Clear Out Point · Ctrl + Shift + O · Option + O

Clear In & Out Points · Ctrl + Shift + X · Option + X

Add Marker · M · M

Go to Next Marker · Shift + M · Shift + M

Go to Previous Marker · Ctrl + Shift + M · Shift + Command + M

Clear Selected Marker · Ctrl + Alt + M · Option + M

Clear All Markers · Ctrl + Alt + Shift + M · Option + Command + M

Graphics & Titles – Adjusting Shapes, Text and Layers

In Premiere Pro, you can also insert simple graphics or titles directly. These keyboard shortcuts help you create, arrange and select layers quickly.

Function · Windows · macOS

Create Text Layer · Ctrl + T · Command + T

Create Rectangle · Ctrl + Alt + R · Option + Command + R

Create Ellipse · Ctrl + Alt + E · Option + Command + E

Bring to Front · Ctrl + Shift + Ä · Shift + Command + Ä

Bring Forward · Ctrl + Ä · Command + Ä

Send Backward · Ctrl + Shift + Ü · Command + Ü

Send to Back · Ctrl + Shift + Ü · Shift + Command + Ü

Select Next Layer · Ctrl + Alt + Ä · Option + Command + Ä

Select Previous Layer · Ctrl + Alt + Ü · Option + Command + Ü

Window – Quick Switching Between Workspaces

Premiere Pro consists of many windows and panels. With the following shortcuts, you can easily switch between the most important workspaces.

Window · Windows · macOS

Back to Saved Layout · Alt + Shift + 0 · Option + Shift + 0

Audio Clip Mixer · Shift + 9 · Shift + 9

Audio Track Mixer · Shift + 6 · Shift + 6

Effect Controls · Shift + 5 · Shift + 5

Effects · Shift + 7 · Shift + 7

Media Browser · Shift + 8 · Shift + 8

Program Monitor · Shift + 4 · Shift + 4

Project · Shift + 1 · Shift + 1

Source Monitor · Shift + 2 · Shift + 2

Timeline · Shift + 3 · Shift + 3

Help – Direct Access to Help Functions

If you get stuck or want to look something up, one keystroke is all it takes.

Function · Windows · macOS

Premiere Pro Help · F1 · F1

Audio Track Mixer – Keeping Levels and Tracks Under Control

If you work with audio, you'll love the «Audio Track Mixer» panel. Here, you can show or hide tracks and play audio in a loop with just a few key combinations.

Function · Windows · macOS

Show/Hide Tracks · Ctrl + Alt + T · Option + Command + T

Enable/Disable Loop Playback · Ctrl + L · Command + L

Monitor Input Level · Ctrl + Shift + I · Ctrl + Shift + I

Effect Controls – Working Faster with Effects

When you want to apply and edit effects, you'll find everything in the «Effect Controls» panel. With these keyboard shortcuts, you can, for example, quickly delete an effect or enable loop playback for audio.

Command · Windows · macOS

Remove Selected Effect · Backspace · Delete

Loop Playback for Audio Only · Ctrl + L · Command + L

Effects – Managing Bins and Custom Items

In the Effects panel, you can quickly access all video and audio effects. The following key combinations make it easier to organize your own bins or items.

Command · Windows · macOS

New Custom Bin · Ctrl + < · Command + /

Delete Custom Item · Backspace · Delete

Captions – Navigating and Managing Captions More Efficiently

If you work with captions, things can quickly become confusing with many tracks. These keyboard shortcuts let you cycle through tracks, jump to the next segment or navigate menus.

🟢 General Actions:

Action · Keyboard Shortcut

Access Menu Items with the Keyboard · Shift + Tab

Open Menu/Dialog Box (e.g., Feedback) · Shift + Enter

Navigate Menu/Dialog · Option + Arrow Keys

To Next/Previous Caption Segment · Arrow Keys ↑ / ↓

🔁 Managing Tracks:

• Set Base Track: Automatically the highest active track.

• Activate Next Caption Track: Switches to the track to the right of the base track (loops back when at the highest track).

• Activate Previous Caption Track: Jumps back to the first muted track below the base track.

This control is helpful when you use multiple language tracks or special caption formats.

History – Step Back or Forward One at a Time

The History panel lets you trace your editing steps. These keyboard shortcuts help you undo or redo individual actions, without using the mouse or taking detours.

Command · Windows · macOS

Step Back · Left Arrow · Left Arrow

Step Forward · Right Arrow · Right Arrow

Delete Action · Backspace · Delete

Media Browser – Browsing Files Directly from Premiere

In the Media Browser, you can browse and import media directly from hard drives or networks. The following shortcuts make navigating the browser much more efficient.

Command · Windows · macOS

Open in Source Monitor · Shift + O · Shift + O

Select Folder List · Shift + ← · Shift + ←

Select Media List · Shift + → · Shift + →

Metadata – Editing Information About Clips and Media

In the Metadata area, you'll find all the information about your clips, such as recording time, camera settings or custom tags. These two commands are often all you need to take a quick look or start previews.

Command · Windows · macOS

Loop Playback · Ctrl + L · Command + L

Play · Spacebar · Spacebar

Multi-Camera – Controlling Multiple Cameras at Once

When shooting with multiple cameras (e.g., interviews or events), you can easily switch between cameras in Premiere Pro. The following shortcuts give you full control over all angles, markers, cuts and settings, all from the keyboard.

Navigation & Cut Control

Command · Windows · macOS

Jump to Next Cut Point · Down · Down

Previous Cut Edge · Up · Up

Cut Point on Any Track (Forward/Back) · Shift + ↓ / ↑ · Shift + ↓ / ↑

Jump to Start/End of Clip · Shift + Home / End · Shift + Home / End

Show Sequence Start/End · Home / End · Home / End

Audio & Frame Control

Function · Windows · macOS

Increase Clip Volume · ] · ]

Increase Volume Significantly · Shift + Ä · Shift + Ä

Maximize Active Frame · Shift + Ü · Shift + Ü

Maximize Frame Under Cursor · Ü · Ü

Minimize All Tracks · Shift + – · Shift + –

Experiment (Test Feature) · Shift + K · Shift + K

Playback & Control

Function · Windows · macOS

Play In to Out · Ctrl + Shift + Spacebar · Option + K

Playback with Pre-roll/Post-roll · Shift + Spacebar · Shift + Spacebar

Play from Playhead to Out · Ctrl + Spacebar · Ctrl + Spacebar

Play / Stop · Spacebar · Spacebar

Show Nested Sequence · Ctrl + Shift + F · Ctrl + Shift + F

Selecting Cameras & Cuts

Command · Windows · macOS

Select Camera 1 to 9 · 1-9 · 1-9

Select Clip Under Playhead · D · D

Next / Previous Clip · Ctrl + ↓ / ↑ · Command + ↓ / ↑

Set Title Frame · Shift + P · Command + P

Trimming & Ripple Editing

Function · Windows · macOS

Ripple Next / Previous Edit · B / Q · B / Q

Trim Backward / Forward · Ctrl + ← / → · Option + ← / →

Trim Multiple Frames · Ctrl + Shift + ← / → · Option + Shift + ← / →

Move Edit Point to Playhead (Forward/Back) · Ctrl + Alt + W / Q · Option + W / Q

View & Navigation

Function · Windows · macOS

Toggle Full Screen View · Ctrl + Ü · Ctrl + Ü

Toggle Multi-Camera View · Shift + 0 · Shift + 0

Select Search Field · Shift + F · Shift + F

Next / Previous Window · Ctrl + Shift + . / , · Ctrl + Shift + . / ,

Program Monitor – Placing Graphic Elements Precisely

In the Program Monitor, you can work directly on the video: move or align text, shapes and layers. With these keyboard shortcuts, you can move objects precisely, frame by frame or in larger steps.

Action · Windows · macOS

Show Rulers · Ctrl + R · Command + R

Show Guides · Ctrl + ; · Command + ;

Snap to Guides in Program Monitor · Ctrl + Shift + ; · Shift + Command + ;

Lock Guides · Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R · Option + Shift + Command + R

Move Object by 5 Pixels (up/down/left/right) · Shift + Ctrl + Arrow Key · Shift + Command + Arrow Key

Move Object by 1 Pixel · Ctrl + Arrow Key · Command + Arrow Key

💡 Tip: Make sure the Essential Graphics panel is active and a graphic layer is selected, otherwise the shortcuts won't work.

Project Panel – Keeping Your Media Organized

The Project panel is the heart of your organization. All clips, graphics and sequences are kept here. These shortcuts make navigation even faster.

Function · Windows · macOS

New Bin · Ctrl + B · Command + B

Delete / Clear Selection · Backspace · Delete

List View / Icon View · Ctrl + Page Up/Down · Command + Page Up/Down

Toggle Hover Scrub · Shift + H · Shift + H

Delete Selection with Options · Ctrl + Delete · Command + Delete

Move / Extend Selection · Arrow Keys + Shift · Arrow Keys + Shift

Change Thumbnail Size · Shift + Ö / Ä · Shift + Ö / Ä

Switch View · Shift + # · Shift + #

Zoom In/Out · + / – · + / –

Source Patching & Target Patching – Track Control with the Mouse

In Premiere Pro, you can control video and audio tracks directly in the Timeline. The patching options help you determine which track is active or muted. Here is an overview of important combinations:

Action · Effect on Source Patching/Target Patching

Click · Toggle Status

Cmd / Ctrl + Drag · On/Off based on the first track

Shift + Drag · Move entire track group

Opt + Click · Turn gaps on/off

Shift + Scroll · Change height of all tracks evenly

Opt + Scroll · Adjust height of a single track

Cmd + Scroll (macOS only) · Scroll in the Timeline

🧠 These actions don't always work via keyboard, but they are extremely helpful for precise track management with the mouse.

Timeline – Fine Control When Cutting

This is where you cut, move and trim. You'll need these keyboard shortcuts when you want to cut precisely or move clips down to the second.

Function · Windows · macOS

Deselect · Backspace · Delete

Change Height of Video/Audio Track · Ctrl + / Alt + +/- · Command + / Option + +/-

Move Clip by 1 or 5 Frames · Alt + Arrow / Alt + Shift + Arrow · Command + Arrow / Shift + Command + Arrow

Slip Clip Contents · Ctrl + Alt + Arrow / + Shift · Option + Command + Arrow / + Shift

Slide Clip · Alt + , / . or Alt + Shift + , / . · Option + , / . or Option + Shift + , / .

Delete and Close Gap · Alt + Backspace · Option + Delete

Set In/Out Point to Work Area · Alt + [ / Ä · Option + Ö / Ä

Show Sequence Area (Forward/Back) · Page Up / Down · Page Up / Down

Zoom In/Out in Timeline · + / – · + / –

🔧 These commands make your editing faster and more precise, and save you countless mouse movements.

Conclusion: Get to Your Goal Faster with Keyboard Shortcuts in Premiere Pro

As you can see, Adobe Premiere Pro offers a huge selection of keyboard shortcuts for every area and every workflow. If you memorize the most important shortcuts (or work with a cheat sheet), you'll save many clicks every day and become significantly more efficient at editing.

Especially on longer projects or with recurring tasks such as trimming, marking or organizing sequences, the right key combinations make the difference between "Okay" and "Wow – done!"

🌐 Discover More at Adobe.com

If you want to learn more about Adobe Premiere Pro or are looking for other creative tools, it's worth checking out Adobe's official website:

🔗 www.adobe.com

In addition to Premiere Pro, Adobe offers many other programs, e.g.:

• After Effects for visual effects and animations

• Photoshop for image editing

• Audition for professional audio editing

• Creative Cloud with access to all apps, fonts, stock photos and more

You can also download Adobe Premiere Pro as a free trial version and try it out first.

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