CapCut Desktop App Keyboard Shortcuts: Ultimate Time-Saving Guide

Master CapCut on your desktop with this ultimate guide to keyboard shortcuts! Stop wrestling with your mouse and unlock lightning-fast editing. We've compiled the most essential shortcuts, from basic navigation to advanced effects, transforming your workflow. Learn how to trim clips, add transitions, adjust audio, and more—all without lifting a finger (almost!). Get ready to boost your editing speed and efficiency dramatically.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Project Setup

    • Command + N (Mac) / Control + N (Windows)
    • Command + I (Mac) / Control + I (Windows)
    • Command + Control + F (Mac) / Control + Alt + F (Windows), Escape to exit
    Enter/Exit full screen: Command + Control + F (Mac) / Control + Alt + F (Windows), Escape to exit Enter/Exit full screen: Command + Control + F (Mac) / Control + Alt + F (Windows), Escape to exit Enter/Exit full screen: Command + Control + F (Mac) / Control + Alt + F (Windows), Escape to exit
    Project Setup
  2. Clip Manipulation

    • Command + B (Mac) / Control + B (Windows)
    • Command + Shift + B (Mac) / Control + Shift + B (Windows)
    • Press 'B', then click on each clip in the timeline.
    • Q
    Delete clip to the left: Q Delete clip to the left: Q Delete clip to the left: Q Delete clip to the left: Q
    Clip Manipulation
    • W
    • Left bracket key (previous clip), Right bracket key (next clip)
    • P
    • N
    Toggle auto-snap (automatic clip alignment): N Toggle auto-snap (automatic clip alignment): N Toggle auto-snap (automatic clip alignment): N
    Clip Manipulation
    • Tilda (~)
    • Shift + X, Option + X (Mac) / Alt + X (Windows)
    • Command + G / Command + Shift + G (Mac) / Control + G / Control + Shift + G (Windows)
    Group/Ungroup clips: Command + G / Command + Shift + G (Mac) / Control + G / Control + Shift + G (Windows) Group/Ungroup clips: Command + G / Command + Shift + G (Mac) / Control + G / Control + Shift + G (Windows) Group/Ungroup clips: Command + G / Command + Shift + G (Mac) / Control + G / Control + Shift + G (Windows)
    Clip Manipulation
  3. Playback Control

    • J
    • L
    • K
    • Right/Left arrow keys
    Move to next/previous frame: Right/Left arrow keys
    Playback Control
    • Shift + Right/Left arrow keys
    • Up/Down arrow keys
    Move to last/next cut point: Up/Down arrow keys
    Playback Control
  4. Audio Editing

    • Shift + Control + S (Mac/Windows)
    • Command + . / Command + , (Mac) / Control + . / Control + , (Windows)
    Increase/Decrease volume: Command + . / Command + , (Mac) / Control + . / Control + , (Windows) Increase/Decrease volume: Command + . / Command + , (Mac) / Control + . / Control + , (Windows)
    Audio Editing
  5. Clip Speed and Duration

    • C
    • Shift + B
    • Option + G / Option + Shift + G (Mac) / Alt + G / Alt + Shift + G (Windows)
    Create/Undo compound clip: Option + G / Option + Shift + G (Mac) / Alt + G / Alt + Shift + G (Windows) Create/Undo compound clip: Option + G / Option + Shift + G (Mac) / Alt + G / Alt + Shift + G (Windows) Create/Undo compound clip: Option + G / Option + Shift + G (Mac) / Alt + G / Alt + Shift + G (Windows)
    Clip Speed and Duration
  6. Exporting

    • I (in), O (out)
    Set in/out points for export: I (in), O (out)
    Exporting
  7. Player Controls

    • Spacebar
    • Command + Shift + F (Mac) / Control + Shift + F (Windows)
    • Option + Shift + + / Option + Shift + - (Mac) / Alt + Shift + + / Alt + Shift + - (Windows)
    • Option + Shift + Z (Mac) / Alt + Shift + Z (Windows)
    Zoom to fit (player): Option + Shift + Z (Mac) / Alt + Shift + Z (Windows) Zoom to fit (player): Option + Shift + Z (Mac) / Alt + Shift + Z (Windows) Zoom to fit (player): Option + Shift + Z (Mac) / Alt + Shift + Z (Windows)
    Player Controls
    • Hold Command key (Mac) / Control key (Windows)
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Tips

  • N/A

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrect Shortcut Combination

Reason: Users might accidentally press the wrong keys or use a combination that doesn't exist in CapCut's keyboard shortcuts, leading to no action or unexpected results.
Solution: Double-check the correct key combination from the official CapCut keyboard shortcut list or documentation.

2. Ignoring Modifier Keys (Ctrl, Shift, Alt)

Reason: Some CapCut shortcuts require modifier keys (like Ctrl, Shift, or Alt) to function correctly. Forgetting these can lead to an invalid command or different action than intended.
Solution: Carefully review the shortcut instructions, paying close attention to any indicated modifier keys.

FAQs

Where can I find a complete list of all CapCut desktop keyboard shortcuts?
Unfortunately, there isn't a single, officially published, exhaustive list of *every* CapCut desktop keyboard shortcut. CapCut's functionality is constantly evolving, and shortcuts can vary slightly depending on your operating system and CapCut version. This guide aims to cover the most commonly used and essential shortcuts. You may find additional shortcuts by experimenting within the app.