What Is a Video Editing Timeline? A Beginner's Guide
Learn what a video editing timeline is, how tracks, clips and the playhead work, and how to read any editor's timeline with confidence.
BeginnerUniversal8 min read
An editorial guide to video editing
Learn to edit video in the right order.
Clear, step-by-step guides for beginners and intermediate editors. Universal methods first, then menu-level steps for DaVinci Resolve and CapCut.
Editing Path Finder
Tell us where you are. We line up the guides.
Pick your level, project, software and goal. You get a numbered path from easiest to hardest, using only guides we have published.
Nine topics, one connected library
01
Video Editing Basics
The core ideas every editor uses, in any software.
4 guides 02Editing Workflows
A repeatable order of work, from import to final review.
4 guides 03Cuts, Transitions & Timing
Where to cut, when to transition and how to control pace.
4 guides 04Color Correction & Grading
Correct first, grade second, keep it consistent.
3 guides 05Audio Editing
Clear voice, balanced music, fewer distractions.
4 guides 06Export Settings & Formats
Choose export settings with confidence.
3 guides 07Editing Software Guides
Menu-level steps for DaVinci Resolve and CapCut.
7 guides 08Performance & Storage
Smooth playback and a storage plan that works.
2 guides 09Tips for YouTube, Shorts & Social Video
Formats, hooks and pacing for each platform.
2 guidesGood places to start
Video Editing Terms Explained in Plain English
Plain-English definitions of the video editing terms you will meet first, from clips and cuts to codecs and render, grouped by how you use them.
BeginnerUniversal9 min read
Frame Rate, Resolution and Aspect Ratio Explained
Understand frame rate, resolution and aspect ratio, and learn how to choose the right project settings before you start editing.
BeginnerUniversal9 min read
How to Make Your First Video Edit, Step by Step
Follow a simple, editor-neutral workflow to import clips, cut them, add music and titles, and export your first finished video.
BeginnerUniversal10 min read
How to Organize Footage Before You Start Editing
Set up a clean folder structure, rename and sort clips, and review footage so your editing goes faster and nothing goes missing.
BeginnerUniversal9 min read
How to Build a Rough Cut That Holds Your Story Together
Learn how to assemble a rough cut fast: pick your best takes, set the story order, and leave polish for later so the structure is solid first.
BeginnerUniversal9 min read
Simple tools for real editing problems
File Size Calculator
Estimate how large a video will be from its duration and bitrate.
EstimateExport Settings Selector
Pick a platform and purpose. See starting points for codec, size and bitrate.
Starting pointsEditing Checklists
Project setup, edit pass and export checks you can tick and print.
PrintableHow we write these guides
Universal first
Every guide separates ideas that work in any editor from steps that belong to one app.
Versions stated
When a menu depends on a version, the guide tells you which version we used.
Honest about limits
Our tools show estimates and say so. Read our editorial policy.