How to Clip a YouTube Video
In short: to share a moment as a link, use YouTube's Clip button (5 to 60 seconds). To get vertical clip files for Shorts, TikTok or Reels, download your own video from YouTube Studio and cut it with AIClipMaker.org: choose the part and length, and each clip is reframed to 9:16.
Independent guide. Checked November 15, 2026.
Method 1: YouTube's Clip button (a link)
- Open the video on YouTube, select More under the player, then Clip. If you don't see Clip, it isn't available for that video.
- Drag the selection to the moment you want, between 5 and 60 seconds.
- Add a title and share the link. Viewers watch the moment on the original video.
This is the right method for someone else's video, because you are sharing their video, not re-uploading it.
Method 2: cut your own video into vertical clips (a file)
- In YouTube Studio, go to Content, open the menu next to your video and choose Download.
- Open AIClipMaker.org and drop the file.
- Set the start and end of the part you want, and a clip length from 15 to 90 seconds. Up to 10 clips come out of each run.
- Keep AI face tracking on so each clip is cropped to 9:16 around the speaker.
- Download the MP4s and post them as Shorts, TikToks or Reels.
Choosing which part to clip
Look at the video's retention graph in YouTube Studio Analytics. Spikes mark the parts people rewatched, and those are good clip candidates. Comments with timestamps point to the same thing.
Make vertical clips from your video
FAQ
How long can a YouTube clip be?
With YouTube's Clip button, 5 to 60 seconds. When you cut your own file with AIClipMaker.org, you choose 15 to 90 seconds.
Can I download a YouTube clip?
YouTube's Clip button makes a link, not a file. To get a file, download your own video from YouTube Studio and cut it.
Is it legal to clip someone else's video?
Reposting it needs the owner's permission or a license that allows reuse. Sharing a link made with YouTube's Clip button keeps viewers on the original video.