Final Cut Pro Keyboard Shortcuts
95+ Final Cut Pro shortcuts for video editing, timeline navigation, and effects. Mac keyboard reference.
Playback
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Play / Pause | |
| Play selection | |
| Play reverse | |
| Previous frame | |
| Next frame | |
| Go to beginning of project | |
| Go to end of project | |
| Go to previous edit point | |
| Go to next edit point | |
| Move playhead back 10 frames | |
| Move playhead forward 10 frames | |
| Play around current frame |
Editing
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Selection Tool (Arrow) | |
| Trim Tool | |
| Position Tool | |
| Range Selection Tool | |
| Blade Tool | |
| Zoom Tool | |
| Hand Tool | |
| Split clip at playhead | |
| Split all clips at playhead | |
| Delete selection (leave gap) | |
| Ripple Delete (close gap) | |
| Delete and insert gap | |
| Undo | |
| Redo | |
| Copy | |
| Paste | |
| Cut | |
| Duplicate clip | |
| Connect clip to primary storyline | |
| Insert clip at playhead | |
| Append clip to end | |
| Overwrite at playhead |
Trimming
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Trim start to playhead | |
| Trim end to playhead | |
| Nudge clip left 1 frame | |
| Nudge clip right 1 frame | |
| Nudge clip left 10 frames | |
| Nudge clip right 10 frames | |
| Change clip duration | |
| Retime (speed) editor | |
| Create Blade at playhead |
Markers
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Set In point | |
| Set Out point | |
| Clear In point | |
| Clear Out point | |
| Clear In and Out points | |
| Go to In point | |
| Go to Out point | |
| Add Marker | |
| Go to next marker | |
| Go to previous marker | |
| Modify marker | |
| Mark Favorite | |
| Reject clip | |
| Remove rating |
Timeline
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Zoom in timeline | |
| Zoom out timeline | |
| Fit timeline to window | |
| Toggle Snapping | |
| Create Compound Clip | |
| Break Apart Compound Clip | |
| Enable/Disable clip | |
| Solo audio (selected clip) | |
| Move clip up one lane | |
| Move clip down one lane | |
| Switch to Magnetic timeline |
Effects
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open Effects Browser | |
| Open Color Board | |
| Copy effects/attributes | |
| Paste effects/attributes | |
| Open Video Inspector | |
| Match Color | |
| Balance Color |
Audio
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Solo selected audio | |
| Increase volume 1dB | |
| Decrease volume 1dB | |
| Audio Enhancements | |
| Match audio levels |
Export
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Export (Share) | |
| Import media | |
| Save (auto-saves, but force save) | |
| New Project | |
| Show/Hide Browser | |
| Show/Hide Timeline | |
| Show/Hide Inspector |
Pro tips
Magnetic Timeline is Unique
FCP's Magnetic Timeline automatically closes gaps and prevents sync issues. Clips 'snap' together. Use the Position Tool (P) when you need traditional track-based behavior.
Append, Insert, Connect, Overwrite
E appends to the end, W inserts at playhead, Q connects above the storyline, D overwrites. Master these four keys and you can edit without touching the mouse.
Blade at Playhead with ⌘+B
Instead of switching to the Blade tool (B), press ⌘+B to cut at the playhead instantly. Much faster for quick edits since you stay on the Selection tool.
Rate Clips Before Editing
In the Browser, press F to favorite clips and Delete to reject them. Then filter to show only Favorites. This pre-selection step makes assembly editing much faster.
Compound Clips for Organization
Select multiple clips and press ⌘+G to create a Compound Clip. This groups them into a single clip you can edit as one unit. Great for multicam edits, titles, and complex sequences.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Magnetic Timeline?
The Magnetic Timeline is Final Cut Pro's signature feature. Clips automatically close gaps when you move or delete them, and connected clips stay in sync with the primary storyline. It eliminates accidental sync drift that plagues traditional track-based editors.
How do I do a multicam edit?
Select your clips in the Browser, right-click → New Multicam Clip. FCP syncs them automatically by audio, timecode, or markers. Then use the Angle Viewer (⇧+⌘+7) to switch angles in real-time during playback.
Can I use FCP keyboard shortcuts from Premiere Pro?
Yes! Go to Final Cut Pro → Commands → Customize. You can import keyboard layouts or manually remap shortcuts. FCP also includes a Premiere Pro command set option for easier transition.
How do I do a J-cut or L-cut?
Expand the audio (⌃+S to show audio lanes). Use the Trim tool (T) to extend the audio portion of a clip beyond its video edit point. Drag the audio edge left for a J-cut (audio leads) or right for an L-cut (audio trails).
How do I export for YouTube or social media?
⌘+E opens Share. Use 'Apple Devices 1080p' or 'Master File' for YouTube. For Instagram/TikTok, create a vertical project (1080x1920). FCP includes built-in social media presets in newer versions.
Is Final Cut Pro worth it vs Premiere Pro?
FCP is a one-time $299 purchase (vs Premiere's subscription). It's optimized for Mac hardware, handles ProRes natively, and has excellent performance. Premiere has broader third-party plugin support and cross-platform compatibility. Both are professional-grade.
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