Final Cut Pro Keyboard Shortcuts

Final Cut Pro runs only on macOS, so every binding here uses Cmd and Shift as Apple labels them. The app is built around a magnetic timeline, which changes what "delete" means and why there are two of them; the notes below cover that, the J-K-L habit shared with every other NLE, and the small set of tool keys that most editing sessions actually use.

Playback & Navigation12

Space

Play/Pause

Start or pause timeline playback.

L

Play Forward (Fast)

Press repeatedly to increase playback speed 2x, 4x, 8x.

J

Play Backward

Press repeatedly to rewind at increasing speed.

K

Stop

Stop playback.

Left

1 Frame Back

Move the playhead back 1 frame.

Right

1 Frame Forward

Move the playhead forward 1 frame.

Shift+Left

10 Frames Back

Move the playhead back 10 frames.

Shift+Right

10 Frames Forward

Move the playhead forward 10 frames.

Home

Go to Start

Jump to the beginning of the timeline.

End

Go to End

Jump to the end of the timeline.

Up

Previous Clip

Move to the previous clip in the timeline.

Down

Next Clip

Move to the next clip in the timeline.

Editing8

Cmd+Z

Undo

Undo the last action.

Delete

Ripple Delete

Delete the clip and close the gap.

Shift+Delete

Gap Delete

Delete the clip leaving a gap.

B

Blade Tool

Cut clips in the timeline.

Cmd+B

Cut at Playhead

Cut the clip at the current playhead position.

T

Trim Tool

Precisely trim clip edges.

A

Select Tool

Switch to the default select tool.

R

Range Selection Tool

Select a specific range in the timeline.

Markers & In/Out4

I

Set In Point

Set the current position as the In point.

O

Set Out Point

Set the current position as the Out point.

M

Add Marker

Add a marker at the current playhead position.

X

Set Clip Range

Set the clip or selection as In/Out range.

Audio & Effects6

Cmd++

Zoom In Timeline

Zoom in on the timeline.

Cmd+-

Zoom Out Timeline

Zoom out on the timeline.

Shift+Z

Fit Timeline to Window

Fit the entire timeline into view.

Cmd+4

Toggle Inspector

Open or close the Inspector panel.

Cmd+5

Effects Browser

Open or close the Effects Browser.

Cmd+E

Export

Open the Share/Export dialog.

📜 Source: Apple Support — Final Cut Pro keyboard shortcuts. Default command set for the current Final Cut Pro release from Apple's user guide. Checked 2026-09-05. How we verify ›

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Playback with the left hand

J, K and L play backward, stop and play forward, with repeated presses of J or L increasing the speed — the same convention as Premiere and Avid, so it transfers. Space plays and pauses from the playhead. Left and Right step a frame and Shift + Left and Shift + Right ten frames, while Up and Down jump between clip boundaries, which is how you move through a rough cut without scrolling. Home returns to the first frame of the project and End to the last.

Two deletes and the blade

On the magnetic timeline, Delete is a ripple delete: the clip is removed and everything after it slides left. Shift + Delete replaces the clip with a gap instead, keeping later clips in place — the one to use when audio or a connected title downstream must stay in sync. Cmd + B cuts the primary storyline at the playhead without switching tools, which is faster than reaching for B, the Blade tool, and clicking. A returns to the Select tool, T is Trim and R is Range Selection.

Marking and exporting

I and O set in and out points in the browser or timeline, X selects the whole clip under the playhead as a range, and M adds a marker that later shows up in the timeline index. Cmd + + and Cmd + - zoom the timeline and Shift + Z fits the whole project to the window. Cmd + 4 toggles the Inspector and Cmd + 5 the Effects browser; Cmd + E opens the export (Share) dialog for the default destination.

Frequently asked questions

Delete or Shift + Delete — which one keeps the timeline in sync?

Delete ripples: later clips close the gap. Shift + Delete leaves a gap so everything after it keeps its position.

How do I cut a clip without the Blade tool?

Cmd + B cuts the clip in the primary storyline at the playhead. Hold Shift for Cmd + Shift + B to cut all clips at the playhead.

Is there a way to shuttle faster than real time?

Press L twice. J does the same backwards, and K stops.

Can I change these shortcuts?

Yes. Final Cut Pro › Commands › Customize opens the Command Editor, where any command can be rebound and command sets can be exported.

No shortcuts found