How to Edit YouTube Shorts: A Simple Guide for Creating Engaging Videos

Quick Summary

This guide covers two simple methods to edit Shorts using Klap’s AI-powered platform or the YouTube mobile app. Learn how to trim, style, caption, and publish YouTube Shorts that are optimized to perform. Visit the Klap blog to learn more about repurposing long-form videos into shorts.

Need Help Editing Your YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts move fast, and so should your editing. It doesn’t matter if you're sharing tips, reactions, or highlights, how you shape your video matters just as much as what’s in it.

A well-edited Short doesn’t just look better; it performs better. It holds attention, delivers your message quickly, and leaves an impression in under 60 seconds.

In this Klap guide, we’ll show you two easy ways to edit YouTube Shorts: one using YouTube’s built-in mobile tools and the other using Klap’s AI-powered platform for faster, smarter editing.

Why Listen to Us?

At Klap, we don’t just talk about short-form video; we help power it. With over 2.5 million clips created by 1.1 million users, Klap is built specifically for turning long videos into high-performing Shorts . Our platform combines AI-driven editing with creator-first tools that simplify what used to take hours.

What Does It Mean to Edit YouTube Shorts?

Editing YouTube Shorts means refining your video to capture attention quickly and keep viewers engaged. This involves trimming out dull moments, adding text or graphics, and ensuring every second of the video serves a purpose.

It’s not just about cleanup; it’s about shaping your content into something that keeps viewers watching until the end. Even if you're sharing tips, telling a story, or reacting to something, editing helps you turn your content into something sharp, watchable, and engaging.

How to Edit YouTube Shorts: A Step-By-Step Guide

Method 1: How to Edit YouTube Shorts Using Klap

Turning long videos into YouTube Shorts doesn’t have to be complicated. With Klap, you can quickly generate short, vertical clips using AI that identifies your video’s most engaging moments. From there, you can easily edit and customize your Shorts.

Step 1: Go to the Klap AI Shorts Maker page.

Start by visiting the Klap AI Shorts Maker page .
This is where you’ll begin creating your YouTube Short.

Step 2: Add Your Video (YouTube Link or File Upload)

Start by adding the video you want to turn into a YouTube Short. You can either:

Paste a YouTube link: Copy the video URL from your browser’s address bar and drop it into Klap’s input field. This option is excellent if you plan to convert an already-uploaded YouTube video into a YouTube Short.

Upload from your device: Click the upload button and choose your podcast video file (supported formats include MP4, MOV, and AVI).

Once your video is added, you'll be redirected to log in or sign up to continue.

Step 3: Log in or Create an Account

If you’re new to Klap, sign up for free.
Already have an account? Just log in with your credentials.

Step 4: Choose Your Short Preferences

After logging in, a pop-up will appear where you can customize your Short settings:

Shorts Tab: Make sure "Shorts" is selected
Duration: Keep this at “1 min,” the default for YouTube Shorts.
Language: Select your preferred language (English is the default).
Captions: Keep this on to generate subtitles automatically.
Dimensions: Choose "Portrait" (9:16), the standard for Shorts.

Step 5: Generate Your YouTube Short

Click “Generate Shorts” to start processing.
The system will prepare your video. Depending on the video length, this usually takes a few seconds to a couple of minutes.

Step 6: Edit Your Shorts in Klap

After auto-generating your YouTube Shorts, you'll have two options: Download HD or Edit.

The first option lets you download the Short to your device and re-upload it to YouTube.

Alternatively, you can edit the auto-generated Short using Klap’s editing tools. To edit, click “Edit” to open Klap’s editing interface, where you’ll see four main sections:

Trim (Timing and Flow): Cut out unnecessary parts, such as pauses or filler words. You can also split or trim clips to improve the flow of your Short.

Crop (Framing the Shot): Use the Crop tool to choose what’s visible in the video. You can zoom in on the speaker or center them in the vertical (9:16) frame.

Captions (Text on Screen): Klap adds captions automatically , but you can:
- Check and fix the auto-generated captions
- Turn captions on or off for certain parts
- Add your own captions if needed

Style (Look and Feel): This is where you make your Short look polished. You can:
- Pick fonts, sizes, and colors
- Move captions up or down
- Highlight important words
- Use preset styles to save time
- Add motion effects like bounce or pop
- Control how many words or lines show at once
- Add emojis or overlays
- Use Crop Focus to keep the camera on the speaker automatically

Step 7: Download and Publish Your YouTube Short

When your Short is ready, click Download HD to save it. Then, upload it to YouTube as a Short.

Alternatively, you can connect your YouTube account and post it directly from the Exports page.

Method 2: How to Edit YouTube Shorts Using the YouTube Mobile App

If you're looking for a quick and accessible way to edit your YouTube Shorts directly from your phone, YouTube’s mobile app offers a simple built-in editor. While not as powerful as a dedicated video editing software , it gives you enough to create and publish short videos with basic effects and text.

Step 1: Open the YouTube Mobile App

Open the YouTube app on your phone and log in to your YouTube account.

Step 2: Start Creating a Short

Tap the “+” icon at the bottom center of the screen.

From the menu that appears at the bottom of the page, choose “Short.”

Step 3: Record or Upload a YouTube Short Video

You have two options: recording a new video or uploading a pre-recorded video from your gallery.

Tap “Camera” to record a new Short.
Tap “Add” to upload a pre-recorded video from your device’s gallery.

You can set the video duration by tapping the “15s” label in the top-right corner. This lets you switch between 15 seconds and up to 3 minutes.

Once you’ve finished recording or selected a video, tap the checkmark icon (✔️) to proceed to editing.

Step 4: Use the YouTube Shorts Editor

You’ll now enter YouTube’s editing interface. Here’s what you can do:

Add Sound: Tap “Add sound” at the top to browse and insert music from YouTube’s built-in sound library.
Text Tool: Tap the “Text” icon to insert captions or on-screen messages and customize the font and style.
Trim Tool: Tap the “Trim” icon to shorten your video or adjust the thumbnail preview.
Filters: Use the “Filter” icon to apply visual effects and change the tone or style of your video.
Voiceover: Tap the "microphone” icon to record a voiceover and layer it over your video.
Stickers: Use the “sticker” icon to add visual elements or fun extras to your clip.

When you're happy with your edits, tap “Next.”

Step 5: Finalize and Share Your Short

On the sharing screen, you’ll be able to:

Add a title or caption
Include relevant hashtags, location, or audience settings
Choose to save the video as a draft or tap “Upload Short” to publish it to your channel immediately

However, the YouTube app has several limitations that can slow down your editing process:

Basic Editing Tools Only: It offers trimming, text, and filters but lacks custom captions, cropping, and styling.
No AI Clip Detection: You must manually find and trim footage without automated help.
Limited Caption Control: No auto-subtitles or advanced captioning tools.
No Reframing: Manual resizing may result in awkward framing.
Mobile-Only Editing: Editing is restricted to the mobile app with no desktop version or drag-and-drop features.

Best Practices for Editing YouTube Shorts

Keep It Concise and Engaging: The best Shorts are quick and to the point. Aim to deliver your message within the first few seconds and maintain a fast pace throughout. Trim any unnecessary moments to keep your content sharp and engaging.
Focus on Strong Visuals: Since YouTube Shorts are short, your visuals need to do a lot of the heavy lifting. Use clear, well-framed shots, and highlight key visuals to capture attention quickly. Make sure your video fits the vertical (9:16) format.
Use Captions Wisely: Adding captions helps increase viewer retention, especially for those watching without sound. Make your captions easy to read by using large, bold fonts, and try to keep them on-screen long enough for viewers to read.
Use Music and Sound: Choose background music or sound effects that complement your content. A catchy tune or sound can help make your Short more memorable and increase viewer engagement. Ensure the sound complements the tone of your video.
Use Motion and Effects Sparingly: Subtle motion effects or transitions can make your Short more dynamic, but avoid overwhelming your viewers with too many flashy effects. Keep the focus on the content while adding small touches to enhance the viewing experience.

Make Smarter YouTube Shorts Edits with Klap

Strong edits help your content unique, perform better, and reach more viewers. YouTube offers basic editing tools with limitations. Klap offers a more efficient solution for a seamless, flexible editing process.

With Klap , you get powerful, AI-driven tools that simplify editing and help your content perform its best. From auto-clipping to custom styling, everything you need is in one place, so you can focus on creating, not tweaking.