30 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Premiere Pro

When you're editing a video, it helps to hit a flow state where the edit moves naturally. You're jumping from scene-to-scene, chaining everything together perfectly to create a powerful narrative.

The worst part is when you have to switch tasks and break that state. Digging for a tool buried in a menu breaks focus and can throw your edit. That's why it helps to learn the best Adobe Premiere Pro keyboard shortcuts.

In this tutorial, I'll share the essential keyboard shortcuts for Adobe Premiere, plus show you how to memorize them quickly.

Customize Adobe Premiere Pro Keyboard Shortcuts

In our Adobe Premiere Pro keyboard shortcut round-up, we'll use Adobe's defaults. But you can also completely customize the keyboard shortcuts thanks to Adobe's customization tool.

Go to the Premiere Pro > Keyboard Shortcuts option to open this menu. One helpful bonus to this tool is that you'll see all of the default keyboard shortcuts shown in the graphic.

To use this menu, you can find a keyboard shortcut in the window at the bottom. Then, drag and drop the shortcut onto an unused keyboard combination. It's also important to note that there are commands in this menu that aren't mapped by default. That means you can create totally custom Adobe Premiere Pro hotkeys.

Every editor works in Premiere Pro a little differently. It's helpful to map your most command tasks to keyboard shortcuts if Adobe didn't build one in.

Premiere Pro Keyboard Shortcuts

Now, let's take a look at the best Premiere Pro keyboard shortcuts. I've grouped these into several key categories. Try learning them one section at a time to increase your knowledge and work more quickly.

Tools and Views

Captures and Tracks

Time Views and Playback

Toggling Tools

Tips and Tricks for Adobe Premiere Pro Shortcuts

We’ve looked at some of the most useful Adobe Premiere shortcut keys. But how can you take full advantage of these? Here are some handy tips and tricks to help you get started with Adobe Premiere Pro hotkeys and shortcuts.

1. Edit Adobe Premiere Pro Keyboard Shortcuts

As you saw above, Premiere Pro has an array of default shortcuts already in place. What do you do if you want to change one?

For example, imagine if you want the letter Q to activate the Razor Tool. By default, the Razor Tool is toggled with the C key.

To make this change, go to the Premiere Pro > Keyboard Shortcuts menu. In the lower left corner, find the Search box. In it, type Razor Tool.

You’ll see it appear in the box immediately below. To apply the Q shortcut to it, drag the Razor Tool label onto the virtual keyboard. Drop it onto the Q key, and you’re all set! It's a great way to modify Premiere shortcuts.

Notice that reassigning Adobe Premiere Pro shortcuts will remove the original shortcut. If you want to use the original, simply drag that shortcut label onto another key. 

2. Use Multiple Shortcuts for the Same Tasks

Have keyboard shortcuts in Premiere Pro that you use often? You might find it useful to assign more than one shortcut to the same task or command.

For example, consider the Selection Tool. By default, it’s controlled by the V key. But what if you want the P key to activate the Selection Tool as well?

On the Keyboard Shortcuts menu, search for the Selection Tool. You’ll see V listed as the shortcut. To add another shortcut, click into the empty space to the right of V. You’ll see a blank box appear.

In it, simply type the new Premiere shortcuts that you want to use. In this example, type P. Now, you have two Premiere Pro shortcut keys for the same command!

3. Remove Unwanted Keyboard Shortcuts in Premiere Pro

If you have too many Adobe Premiere shortcut keys, it can get confusing. It’s a good idea to remove Adobe Premiere shortcuts that you don’t want.

To delete keyboard shortcuts in Premiere, return again to the Keyboard Shortcuts menu. Browse to or search for a shortcut command that you want to delete. 

Hover over the command. In the box, you’ll see an X appear. Click it, and your shortcut will be deleted. (You can always add back these Adobe Premiere Pro hotkeys later if you change your mind!)

How to Memorize Adobe Premiere Shortcuts

We all know that every app has keyboard shortcuts. The hard part is remembering Premiere Pro shortcut keys.

It takes time to integrate keyboard shortcuts into your workflow, but once you do - it's hard to live without them. Practicing with them is the key, but it helps to study up on shortcuts as well.

I've learned the keyboard shortcuts to many apps with help from an app called Anki. Simply put, this is a digital flashcard system. You might have used techniques like flashcards to study for exams and tests, so why not use it for apps as well?

On Anki's website, you can create cards with digital "front and backs." Put the key command on one side with a description on the other. Drill yourself on these cards, and you might be surprised how the shortcuts sink in.

Practice and usage commit keyboard shortcuts to memory, but using a tool like Anki can speed the process. Best of all, it's a great way to make your time productive even when you're away from the editing bay.

More Adobe Premiere Pro Learning Resources

Start practicing those Premiere Pro shortcut keys today! You might be surprised by how much less time you're spending digging through menu options with your mouse once you learn a few key shortcuts.

Want to learn more about Adobe Premiere? Make sure to check out the links below to keep learning one of the most popular video editing apps.

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  How to Use LUTs to Color Grade Video in Premiere Pro (Picture Style Presets)

  

  Andrew Childress

  09 Nov 2021
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  How to Use Video Effects in Premiere Pro

  

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  28 Apr 2019
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  How to Set Up Your Computer to Edit Video With Adobe Premiere Pro

  

  David Bode

  27 Feb 2023
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  20 Best Title Templates for Adobe Premiere Pro for 2023

  

  Marie Gardiner

  31 May 2023

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Start Using Adobe Premiere Shortcuts Now

Adobe Premiere Pro shortcuts help you work more quickly. With Premiere Pro shortcut keys, you can save yourself the effort of clicking through menus. At the touch of a button or two, you’re able to activate features, make changes, and more. It’s the best way to upgrade your editing process in 2024 and beyond.

Don’t hesitate to set up your own Adobe Premiere Pro shortcuts. It’s very simple, thanks to the Premiere Pro Keyboard Shortcuts menu. Start learning shortcuts today, and you’ll find yourself becoming a much better editor.