How to Crop a Video in iMovie

Are you tired of dealing with unwanted black bars or awkwardly-shaped videos? Cropping your video can be a great way to improve its appearance and make it more shareable on social media platforms. In this article, we'll show you how to crop a video using iMovie on macOS.

Step 1: Import Your Video

To start cropping your video, you need to import it into iMovie first. Go to File > Add Media Files and select the video file you want to crop from the browser that pops up. Once imported, all your files will be added to the Timeline.

Step 2: Create a New Project

Before you can start cropping, you need to create a new project in iMovie. To do this, click on the prompt screen and choose 'Create a New Project.' This will open up a new window where you can select the type of project you want to create and the aspect ratio you prefer.

Step 3: Set Your Aspect Ratio

It's always a good idea to set your video project's aspect ratio before cropping, as this will determine the maximum crop size. To do this, click on the '16:9' option under the preview window and select one from the dropdown menu.

Step 4: Crop Your Video

To crop your video, click on the Crop and Rotate tool in the toolbar above the Timeline. This will open up a new window with four handles in each corner of the frame. Drag these handles to resize the frame in the fixed aspect ratio while dragging those in the middle to change without limits.

Step 5: Preview and Apply

After cropping your video, preview it to make sure everything looks good. If you're satisfied, click 'Apply' in the Tools panel to apply the changes.

Step 6: Export Your Video

Once you've cropped your video, you can export it in a variety of formats, including MP4, MOV, and AVI. To do this, click on the green Export button and select your preferred format from the dropdown menu.

And that's it! With these simple steps, you should be able to crop your video using iMovie on macOS. Whether you're looking to share a video on Instagram or simply want to remove unwanted black bars, cropping is an essential tool in any video editor's arsenal.

How to crop the video in imovie