PureTools
Cut and Trim Video Without Uploading – Set In and Out Points Online
Cut any MP4 or WebM clip to a precise time range using a visual filmstrip timeline. Drag the handles to set start and end points, preview exact frames, and download a private result, no upload, no watermark.
Drop your video here or
Drag the handles on the filmstrip timeline to set cut points
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How to use the Video Cutter
Load an MP4 or WebM file, drag the handles on the filmstrip timeline to mark your start and end points, preview the exact frames, then click Trim. The tool processes the clip locally without uploading your footage and downloads the result in seconds.
- Drop or select your video, drag an MP4 or WebM file onto the upload area, or click to browse. MP4 output accepts up to 500 MB; WebM output accepts up to 200 MB. A filmstrip preview and the playback controls appear automatically.
- Set the cut points, drag the left handle on the timeline to the start of the segment you want to keep, and the right handle to the end. The highlighted area between the handles shows what will be in the output. The time inputs update as you drag and can be typed into directly for precise values.
- Preview and verify, click the preview buttons next to the time inputs to jump the player to each cut point, then play from that position to confirm the exact frame before cutting.
- Choose output format and filename, select MP4 for the broadest device compatibility, or WebM for browser-focused workflows. Enter a name for the downloaded file, the extension is added automatically.
- Cut and download, click Trim video. The tool processes the selected range locally without uploading your file. Once finished, download the result from the result card and clear the page when done.
Setting precise cut points
The time inputs accept both seconds (83.5) and minutes:seconds format (1:23.5). Keyboard arrow keys move the selected handle in 0.1-second steps, hold Shift for 1-second steps. When you release a handle after dragging, the video player seeks to that position automatically, so you always see the exact frame at each cut boundary.
Understanding the filmstrip timeline
After loading, the tool extracts thumbnail frames from your video at regular intervals to build a visual filmstrip above the cut bar. This gives you a visual map of the content, you can spot scene changes, cuts and transitions without playing the whole clip. The filmstrip appears within a few seconds of loading. It is built using your browser's built-in video decoder and does not affect cut quality or output size.
Frequently asked questions
Are my videos uploaded when I use this tool?
Your video is never sent to PureTools or to any third-party server. When you select a file, it stays entirely inside your browser tab. The tool downloads a local video engine the first time you cut, around 30 MB, but that engine never sees your actual footage. All cutting runs on your own device. Temporary data is cleared when you close the tab or click Clear. Your files never leave your device. Your data is never used to train AI models or improve machine learning systems.
How do I set the cut start and end points?
After loading your video, a filmstrip timeline appears below the player. Two vertical handles sit on that timeline: the left handle sets the start of the clip you want to keep, and the right handle sets the end. Drag either handle left or right to choose where the output begins and ends. The highlighted region between the handles shows exactly what will appear in the cut file. The time inputs below update automatically as you drag and can also be typed into for precise values. Use the preview buttons to jump the player to each point and verify the frame before cutting.
What video formats are supported?
The cutter accepts MP4 and WebM input files. MP4 covers most footage from phones, cameras and screen recorders. WebM is supported for browser-based workflows. For the output, choose MP4 or WebM regardless of the input format. If your source video is MOV, AVI or MKV, convert it to MP4 first using the Video Converter, then cut the result here.
Why does the first cut take longer than expected?
The very first time you click Trim, the tool downloads a local video processing engine of around 30 MB. This happens once, your browser keeps the engine in cache so later cuts start immediately. After that download, the actual cutting is fast: for short clips the output is ready in a second or two, and even longer videos take only a few seconds because the tool copies the video stream directly when possible, skipping a full re-encode.
Will cutting reduce the video quality?
In most cases, no. The tool first attempts to copy the video and audio streams directly from the original without re-encoding, which preserves quality exactly. This path is fast and lossless. If a compatibility issue is detected, for example, a non-standard encoding, the tool automatically re-encodes the output. Re-encoding may change quality slightly, but uses a high-quality setting so the difference is rarely visible. No watermark is added to any output.
Is there a file size limit?
Yes. MP4 output accepts files up to 500 MB. WebM output is limited to 200 MB because WebM re-encoding inside the browser is more memory-intensive. Video processing uses your device's RAM, so very large files on phones may fail. If your source file is too large, compress it first using the Video Compressor to bring it under the limit, then cut. All data is erased from the browser when you close the tab.
Does the video cutter work offline?
Yes, after the tool has loaded at least once on that device. The first visit needs a network connection to download and cache the page files and the processing engine. On every subsequent visit, including offline, the tool opens and cuts without any network request. The processing engine is saved locally on your device during that first visit and takes around 30 MB. Temporary results are cleared when you close the tab.