Premiere Pro Tutorials

How to Copy Color Grading in Premiere Pro

Copy color grading from one clip to another in Premiere Pro using the Lumetri Color panel and its Color Match with Comparison View.

ColorPremiere Pro
Reference and current canyon frames side by side in Color Match Comparison View in Premiere Pro

Watch the tutorial

Step 1: Put both clips on the timeline

Place the clip with the look you want to copy and the clip you want to change on your timeline, one after the other. The graded clip is your reference. The clip that still needs a look is the one you will match to it.

Step 2: Open the Lumetri Color panel

Click the clip you want to change so it is selected. Then go to Window > Lumetri Color. If the panel already has a checkmark in the menu, it is open somewhere in your workspace. Lumetri Color is where all of Premiere Pro's color tools live, including the Color Match feature used here.

Window menu with Lumetri Color checked in Premiere Pro

Step 3: Open Color Match and Comparison View

In the Lumetri Color panel, scroll down to Color Wheels & Match and find the Color Match section. Click Comparison View. The Program Monitor splits in two: Reference on the left and Current on the right. Your selected clip is the Current side.

Color Match with Comparison View and Apply Match buttons in the Lumetri Color panel in Premiere Pro

Step 4: Choose the reference frame

The left side shows the clip you want to copy from. Drag the small playhead under the Reference view to pick a frame that represents the look well, with good skin tones or a mix of light and dark areas. A frame with a clear subject gives the best match.

Reference and Current frames side by side in Comparison View in Premiere Pro

Step 5: Click Apply Match

Click Apply Match. Premiere Pro analyzes both frames and adjusts the color wheels of your selected clip to match the reference. You can see the Shadows, Midtones and Highlights wheels move. Leave Face Detection on if your shot has people, since it helps keep skin tones natural.

Close Comparison View when you are happy, and play the sequence to check that both clips now look like they belong together.

Matched clip on the timeline after applying Color Match in Premiere Pro

Tips

  • Fine tune after matching. Color Match is a strong starting point. Adjust exposure or saturation in Basic Correction if one clip still feels off.
  • Copy and paste the effect too. To reuse a grade exactly, select the graded clip, copy it with Ctrl+C, select the other clips and use Edit > Paste Attributes.
  • Match similar shots. Color Match works best when both clips were shot in similar light.

FAQ

How do I match the color of two clips in Premiere Pro?

Select the clip to change, open Lumetri Color, use Color Match with Comparison View, choose a reference frame and click Apply Match.

Where is Lumetri Color in Premiere Pro?

Go to Window > Lumetri Color. It also appears in the Color workspace.

Can I copy color grading to many clips at once?

Yes. Copy the graded clip and use Paste Attributes on the other clips to apply the same Lumetri effect to all of them.

Want a ready-made look to start from? Try the Ultimate Color Presets Pack.