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Watch the tutorial
Step 1: Find the edge of the clip
Start with your clip on the timeline. Move your mouse to the very end of the clip until the cursor changes into the red trim bracket icon. This tells you the cursor is exactly on the edge of the clip, which is where the transition will be applied.
Step 2: Apply the default transition for the fade out
Right-click on the edge of the clip while the red icon is showing, and choose Apply Default Transitions from the menu. Premiere Pro adds a Cross Dissolve to the end of the clip. That is your fade out. Play it back and you will see the video dissolve to black.
You can also select the edge and press Ctrl + D (Cmd + D on a Mac) to add the default transition without opening the menu.
Step 3: Add the fade in at the start
Now go to the start of the clip and wait for the same red icon to appear on the left edge. Right-click and choose Apply Default Transitions again. You now have a fade in at the beginning and a fade out at the end, each shown as a small Cross Dissolve block on the clip.
Step 4: Change the duration of the fade
To make a fade longer or shorter, hover over the inner edge of the transition block until you see the trim icon. Drag it to the right to make the fade longer or to the left to make it shorter. A tooltip shows the new Duration as you drag. In the video, the fade in is dragged out to make it longer and slower.
You can adjust the fade out in exactly the same way. A fade of around a second feels natural for most videos, while a longer fade gives a calm, cinematic feel.
Step 5: Play it back
Move the playhead to the start of the clip and press Space. Watch how the picture comes up from black, and check the ending too. If the fade feels too abrupt or too slow, drag the edge of the transition again until it fits the music and the mood.
Tips
- Fade the audio too. A default audio transition on the clip's sound makes the fade feel complete.
- Change the default. If you prefer a different transition, right-click it in the Effects panel and choose Set Selected as Default Transition.
- Keep it consistent. Use the same fade length across your project so the edit feels uniform.
- Cut first. If you are still trimming your clips, see how to cut video in Premiere Pro.
FAQ
How do I fade in and out in Premiere Pro?
Right-click the start and end edge of a clip and choose Apply Default Transitions. The default is a Cross Dissolve, which fades to and from black.
How do I make a fade longer?
Drag the edge of the transition block on the timeline to the right, or double-click the transition and type a new duration.
Why does nothing happen when I apply the transition?
Make sure the cursor shows the red trim icon on the edge of the clip. If the clip has no extra footage past its edge, Premiere Pro may center the transition on the cut or limit its length.
Want to go further than fades? Try the free ink transitions for Premiere Pro.
