What’s the easiest way to clip a YouTube video for Shorts or social media without copyright issues? Looking for tips on YouTube clip tools, timestamps, and editing for engagement.
YouTube’s built-in Clip feature is really handy. Click the scissors icon, choose a 5–60 second segment, title it, and share the link. Perfect for highlighting moments without downloading anything.
If the Clip option isn’t available, it may be disabled by the creator. In that case, I usually rely on third-party online trimmers — just paste the video URL, pick the segment, and download.
For more control, I use free editing apps like CapCut or iMovie. I import the video, trim it precisely, add text or effects, and then export a clean clip.
When I can’t access online tools, I record the screen while playing the part I need. OBS Studio or even phone screen recorders work well, and you can crop the start/end times exactly.
Always be careful with copyright. Sharing clips via YouTube’s built-in clip feature is safe, but downloading or reposting others’ videos without permission can cause strikes.
