Creating new content for every platform can take a lot of time. If you already have long-form YouTube videos, you can repurpose their best moments into shorter vertical clips instead of starting from scratch.
YouTube Shorts can help creators reach viewers who may not discover their longer videos through traditional search or channel browsing. By selecting useful, entertaining, or interesting moments from your existing content, you can create additional videos while making better use of content you have already produced.
In this guide, you'll learn how to make YouTube Shorts from existing videos, choose suitable moments, convert them to a vertical format, and prepare them for publishing.
What Are YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts are short-form vertical videos designed for viewing in YouTube's Shorts experience. They are commonly created in a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio, which fits naturally on mobile screens.
Important specifications include:
- Orientation: Vertical or portrait
- Recommended aspect ratio: 9:16
- Recommended resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Common format: MP4
- Length: Shorts can be up to 3 minutes when uploaded in a square or vertical aspect ratio, subject to YouTube's current requirements
Because Shorts are designed for quick, mobile-friendly viewing, they can introduce your content to people who have not previously watched your channel.
Why Repurpose Long Videos into Shorts?
Turning existing videos into Shorts can make your content workflow more efficient. Instead of recording and editing an entirely new video, you can identify useful sections from videos you have already created.
Here are some potential benefits:
- Reach new viewers: Short-form content can introduce your channel to people who may not have discovered your long-form videos.
- Save production time: You can reuse existing footage instead of creating every Short from scratch.
- Create content for multiple platforms: A properly formatted vertical clip can also be adapted for platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Facebook Reels.
- Highlight your best content: A strong moment from a longer video can work as a preview of your full content.
- Support your content strategy: Multiple Shorts can give you more opportunities to promote ideas, tutorials, interviews, reviews, or other long-form videos.
The key is not simply cutting a random section from a video. The selected clip should make sense on its own and give viewers a reason to keep watching.
How to Create YouTube Shorts with VidsTrim
If you already have a YouTube video and want to turn part of it into a vertical clip, an online tool such as VidsTrim can simplify the process.
VidsTrim lets you load a YouTube video, select the section you want, and prepare the clip in a vertical format.
Step 1: Choose the Best Moment
Start by watching your long-form video and identifying sections that could work as standalone Shorts.
Look for moments that are:
- Self-contained: The clip should make sense without requiring the entire video for context.
- Interesting: Choose something useful, entertaining, surprising, educational, or visually engaging.
- Focused: A Short should generally communicate one clear idea rather than trying to cover an entire topic.
- Visually suitable: Look for moments where the main speaker, product, demonstration, or action can fit comfortably inside a vertical frame.
- Strong at the beginning: Avoid clips that take too long to reach the main point.
Write down the start and end timestamps of the section you want to use.
Step 2: Load Your YouTube Video
Go to VidsTrim and paste the URL of the YouTube video you want to use.
Load the video and locate the section you identified in the previous step.
Before downloading or repurposing any video, make sure you own the content or have the necessary rights or permission to use it.
Step 3: Set the Start and End Points
Use the available time controls to select the beginning and ending points of your clip.
Try to remove unnecessary pauses, introductions, or sections that do not contribute to the main idea.
A Short does not have to use the maximum available duration. If the idea can be communicated clearly in 20 or 30 seconds, there is no need to stretch it to make the video longer.
Step 4: Select the 9:16 Portrait Format
Next, choose 9:16 (Portrait) as the output aspect ratio.
The 9:16 format is commonly used for mobile-first vertical video and works well for YouTube Shorts and other short-form video platforms.
If your original video is recorded in the standard 16:9 landscape format, converting it to 9:16 means part of the original frame will be cropped.
Step 5: Position the Crop Area
After selecting the vertical format, check the crop preview carefully.
Position the crop area over the most important part of the video. Depending on the content, this could be:
- A speaker's face
- A product
- A demonstration
- A person performing an action
- Text or graphics that are important to the message
If the subject moves during the clip, preview the video and make sure the important area remains visible.
This step is particularly important when converting a landscape video into a vertical format because the full original frame cannot fit inside a 9:16 crop.
Step 6: Apply the Crop and Download
Once the crop is positioned correctly, apply the crop and download the finished clip.
Your video will now be prepared in a vertical format that can be uploaded to YouTube Shorts or adapted for other short-form video platforms.
Before publishing, watch the complete exported file once. Check the framing, audio, text, and beginning and ending points to make sure everything looks correct.
How to Choose the Best Moments for a Short
Choosing the right section of your original video can make a bigger difference than simply making the clip shorter.
Here are several approaches you can use.
Start With a Clear Hook
The beginning of your Short should quickly tell viewers why the clip is worth watching.
For example, you could start with:
- A useful answer
- An interesting statement
- A surprising result
- A question
- The most important part of a demonstration
Avoid spending several seconds on an introduction if the main point can begin immediately.
Focus on One Complete Idea
A good Short does not need to explain everything from the original video.
Instead, choose one specific idea that can be understood within the clip.
For example, a 20-minute tutorial might contain several individual tips. Each useful tip could potentially become its own Short.
Give the Clip a Clear Ending
Whenever possible, choose a segment that has a natural conclusion.
A completed explanation, finished demonstration, answer to a question, or useful takeaway can make the clip feel more complete.
If the purpose of the Short is to introduce a longer video, you can also direct viewers toward the full video where appropriate.
Create a Series From One Long Video
One long-form video can sometimes produce several Shorts.
For example, a detailed tutorial could become:
- Short 1: The main problem
- Short 2: The first solution
- Short 3: A useful tip
- Short 4: A common mistake
- Short 5: The final result
This approach allows you to reuse different sections without forcing unrelated ideas into one Short.
Best Practices for Creating YouTube Shorts
There is no single video length or posting schedule that guarantees better performance. Instead of following a fixed formula, focus on whether each Short provides a clear and worthwhile viewing experience.
Keep the Content Focused
Short-form videos work best when viewers can quickly understand what the video is about.
Avoid combining several unrelated points into one clip.
Use Captions When They Add Value
Captions can make spoken content easier to follow, especially for viewers watching without sound or in situations where audio is difficult to hear.
Make sure captions are readable and do not cover important parts of the video.
Use Vertical Framing
A 9:16 layout is well suited to mobile viewing and is the standard format for many short-form video experiences.
When converting landscape footage, always check the crop manually rather than assuming the most important subject will automatically remain visible.
Make the Opening Useful
The first few seconds should get to the point quickly.
Instead of a long introduction, consider starting with the key statement, question, result, or moment that gives viewers a reason to continue watching.
Review the Final Video Before Publishing
Watch the exported clip from beginning to end.
Check:
- Video framing
- Audio quality
- Captions
- Text placement
- Beginning and ending points
- Overall clarity
Small editing issues can become much more noticeable after a landscape video is converted into a vertical format.
Can You Use the Same Short on Other Platforms?
Yes, a vertical video can often be adapted for multiple short-form platforms.
A 9:16 video can be suitable for services such as:
- YouTube Shorts
- TikTok
- Instagram Reels
- Facebook Reels
However, each platform can have its own technical requirements, features, and content policies. Before publishing, check the current requirements for the platform you are using.
For a broader comparison, read our YouTube Shorts vs TikTok vs Reels guide.
How Many Shorts Can You Make From One YouTube Video?
There is no fixed number.
The number of useful Shorts depends on the length and structure of your original video. A short tutorial may only contain one or two strong clips, while a long interview, webinar, podcast, or educational video could contain many separate moments.
The important thing is to prioritize quality over quantity.
If a section does not provide a clear idea or useful viewing experience, it is usually better to leave it out rather than create another Short simply for the sake of posting.
Can You Make Shorts From Your Own Old YouTube Videos?
Yes. Repurposing your own videos is a practical way to extend the value of content you have already produced.
For example, you can take a useful explanation from an older tutorial and turn it into a vertical clip. You can also revisit older videos when you have updated information and create new Shorts around relevant sections.
This can help you build additional content around your existing library without recording an entirely new long-form video every time.
Important: Make Sure You Have the Right to Use the Video
Before turning a YouTube video into a Short, make sure you have the legal right to use and modify the content.
If the video belongs to you, repurposing it is generally straightforward from a content ownership perspective. If someone else created the video, you may need permission or another valid legal basis to use it.
YouTube also has rules concerning downloading and using content from its platform. Always review the applicable terms and copyright requirements before using content you do not own.
For creators, the safest approach is to work with videos they own or content they are authorized to reuse.
Common Problems When Turning Videos Into Shorts
The Subject Is Cut Off
This usually happens when a landscape video is converted to a vertical format without adjusting the crop.
Solution: Use the crop preview to position the vertical frame around the main subject.
Important Text Is Outside the Frame
Text placed near the edges of a 16:9 video may disappear after conversion to 9:16.
Solution: Preview the vertical crop and reposition it so important text remains visible.
The Short Feels Too Slow
A section may work well in a long-form video but feel slow when viewed as a Short.
Solution: Remove unnecessary pauses and start closer to the main point.
The Clip Does Not Make Sense on Its Own
A selected section may depend heavily on information explained earlier in the original video.
Solution: Choose a more self-contained segment or add enough context to make the idea understandable.
VidsTrim for YouTube Shorts
VidsTrim provides a simple way to turn selected sections of YouTube videos into vertical clips.
You can use it to:
- Load a YouTube video
- Select a specific section
- Trim the clip
- Choose a vertical 9:16 aspect ratio
- Adjust the crop position
- Preview the result
- Download the finished clip
This makes it useful when you want to repurpose existing content without opening a full desktop video editor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn a YouTube video into a Short?
Yes. If you own the video or have the necessary rights to use it, you can select a suitable section and format it as a vertical Short.
What aspect ratio should YouTube Shorts use?
A 9:16 vertical aspect ratio is the standard format for mobile-first Shorts. A common resolution for this format is 1080 x 1920 pixels.
Can I make a Short from a landscape YouTube video?
Yes. A landscape video can be converted to a vertical format by selecting and positioning a 9:16 crop around the most important part of the original frame.
How long should a YouTube Short be?
There is no single ideal duration for every Short. The appropriate length depends on the content and how quickly the idea can be communicated. A useful Short can be much shorter than the maximum allowed duration.
Can I make multiple Shorts from one video?
Yes. If your long-form video contains several useful or interesting sections, you can turn different moments into separate Shorts.
Can I use VidsTrim to make YouTube Shorts?
Yes. VidsTrim can be used to select a section of a YouTube video, trim it, and prepare it in a 9:16 vertical format.
Can I use a YouTube video that I do not own?
You should only use content you have permission or another valid legal right to use. Copyright and platform rules may apply when repurposing someone else's video.
Conclusion
Creating YouTube Shorts from existing videos can be a practical way to get more value from content you have already produced.
Instead of creating every Short from scratch, start by reviewing your long-form videos and identifying moments that contain a clear idea, useful information, an interesting result, or an engaging demonstration.
With VidsTrim, you can select the section you want, trim the video, switch to a 9:16 portrait format, adjust the crop, and download the finished clip.
The most important part is not simply making a video shorter. Choose a strong moment, keep the message focused, make sure the subject remains visible, and review the final clip before publishing.