7 Ways to Trim Video with FFmpeg and More [2025 Guide]

Having precise video editing does not always require expensive software. The powerful command-line tool FFmpeg offers control over your video footage; whether you need a specific scene or to remove sections, there are ways to trim video with FFmpeg. From basic point adjustments to more advanced techniques, this post dives into seven ways to do FFmpeg trim video. Get ready to master the flexibility and efficiency of FFmpeg.

What is FFmpeg? Can You Use FFmpeg to Trim Videos

FFmpeg is a powerful open-source multimedia command tool to process, convert, stream, and record video and audio files. It is widely utilized by developers, video editors, broadcasters, and any user looking to work with media files due to its flexibility. Due to this, many guys wonder, "Can you use FFmpeg to trim videos?"

The short but sweet answer is yes, FFmpeg can trim videos. The truth is, FFmpeg offers multiple methods, depending on your needs. You can use commands like—ss for quick cuts or filter-based methods for frame-accurate trimming, making FFmpeg extremely versatile, whether you're quickly eliminating a section or creating highlights with accuracy.

For real examples of trimming with FFmpeg, read on to the following parts to see the steps to trim video with FFmpeg.

4 Ways to Use the Trim Filter to Trim Videos with FFmpeg

As said, FFmpeg offers various methods to trim video, and one of these methods is the powerful filter-based trimming that lets you precisely cut video and audio based on start/end times or duration. Here are the four practical ways to use the trim filter to trim video with FFmpeg:

Way 1. Trim Video with FFmpeg by Duration

This method trims the specific duration, starting from the beginning of the footage. Here’s the command to follow:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf trim=duration=5 output.mp4

• duration=3: extracts the first 5 seconds of the video

Way 2. Trim Video with FFmpeg by End Time

Meanwhile, this method will trim everything after a specific point, keeping only the starting portion up to the determined time.

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf trim=end=10 output.mp4

• end=3: keeps video content from 0 to 10 seconds.

Way 3. Trim Video with FFmpeg by Start Time

Next up is trimming by start time. This method cuts the beginning of the video and starts the playback from a specific timestamp. This is the sample command:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf trim=start=5,setpts=PTS-STARTPTS output.mp4

• start=3: leaves out the first 5 seconds, keeping everything after.

Way 4. Trim Video with FFmpeg by Start and End Times

Next up is trimming by start time. This method cuts the beginning of the video and starts the playback from aThis last trimming method gives you complete control by specifying both start and end timestamps, making it ideal for extracting a specific segment.

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf trim=start=5:end=20,setpts=PTS-STARTPTS output.mp4

• Extracts the video from 5 to 20 seconds, a 15-second segment.

How to Trim Videos in FFmpeg with the -ss Command

After the trimming-based method to trim video with FFmpeg, you have the -ss command, one of the most widely used options for trimming based on time, which can also be applied to compress video with FFmpeg. This command tells the software to find a specific point in the timeline, letting you extract clips from a larger video. Just like the previous method, FFmpeg has various ways to trim using- ss. Get to know them below:

Way 1. FFmpeg Trim Video Using the Input Seeking

The faster way to trim video is to place -ss before the input file, allowing FFmpeg to seek the preferred start point before it processes.

ffmpeg -ss 00:01:00 -i input.mp4 output.mp4

• -ss 00:01:00. Seek to 1 minute into the video

• -c copy. Copy the audio and video streams without re-encoding.

Way 2. FFmpeg Trim Video Using the Output Seeking

On the other hand, this way is more accurate. You place the -ss after the input file, letting FFmpeg decode up to the desired point.

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -ss 00:01:00 -t 00:00:30 output.mp4

• Starts at 1:00 and extracts the 30-second clip.

Way 3. FFmpeg Trim Video Using -sseof

The -sseof option lets you seek from the end of the video rather than the beginning, which is useful for trimming the last seconds of a video.

ffmpeg -sseof -10 -i input.mp4 output.mp4

• -sseof -10: seek 10 seconds before the video ends.

The Easiest Way to Trim Videos without FFmpeg for Everyone

No doubt, FFmpeg is an incredibly powerful command-line tool for video trimming, but it is not always the easiest to use. For casual users or anyone who prefers a graphical interface, here’s the 4Easysoft Total Video Converter for you. This all-in-one video editing and conversion tool is made to be intuitive, even for users without a technical background. With just a few clicks, you can trim, cut, or split videos without worrying about complex commands. This program also handles high-resolution files and exports to multiple formats and devices. Instead of learning how to trim video with FFmpeg, use 4Easysoft today to precisely cut video footage, whether for social media, a project, or others, quickly and easily.

Step 1Launch 4Easysoft Total Video Converter on your computer. To import the video, you must trim, click the "Add Files" button, and choose the video from your device.

Once the video is added, click the "Trim" button beneath the video thumbnail to open the trimming tool to trim videos without Ffmpeg complex command.

Step 2In the trimming window, use the handles on the progress bar to choose the part of the video you want to keep. This section inside the red-highlighted box will be kept, and everything outside will be deleted.

Alternatively, you can enter specific start and end times using the "Start" and "End" fields for more precise control. To create more clips from the same video, click the "Add Segment" button.

Step 3A preview window on the right will let you watch the trimmed video before saving. Ensure everything looks the way you want it. When you're satisfied, click the "Save" button to apply the trim.

Back on the main screen, choose your output format, rename the file if needed, select the save location, and finally, click the "Convert All" button to export your trimmed video.

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