by 
Watch the tutorial
Step 1: Park the playhead on the frame you want
Move the playhead in your timeline to the exact frame you want to save. Use the arrow keys to step one frame at a time if you need to be precise. What you see in the Program Monitor is what gets exported, so set the monitor to Full resolution for the sharpest result.
Step 2: Find the Export Frame button
Under the Program Monitor is a row of buttons. The camera icon is Export Frame. If you cannot see it, click the + at the right end of the button row to open the Button Editor, drag the camera icon into the row and click OK. You can also use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + E on Windows or Cmd + Shift + E on Mac.
Step 3: Name your screenshot
Click the camera icon and the Export Frame window opens. Type a name into the Name field. Premiere Pro suggests a long name based on the sequence and timecode, so a short custom name is easier to find later.
Step 4: Choose the format
Open the Format dropdown and pick the file type. PNG keeps full quality and works well for thumbnails and designs, while JPEG gives a smaller file. You will also see BMP, DPX, GIF, OpenEXR, Targa and TIFF.
Step 5: Pick a folder and import it into your project
The Path shows where the image will be saved. Click Browse to choose another folder, then select the folder and confirm. Leave Import into project ticked if you want the still to appear straight in your Project panel, ready to drop onto the timeline. Finally click OK.
Step 6: Open the saved file
Open the folder you chose in File Explorer or Finder and your screenshot is there with the name and format you picked. You can now use it as a thumbnail, share it or edit it in any image app.
Tips
- Use PNG for thumbnails. It has no compression artefacts, so text and edges stay clean.
- Check your export setup too. For videos, see our best export settings for Premiere Pro.
FAQ
How do I save a still frame from a video in Premiere Pro?
Park the playhead on the frame, click the camera icon (Export Frame) under the Program Monitor, choose a name and format and click OK.
Why can I not see the Export Frame button?
It may be hidden. Click the plus icon at the end of the Program Monitor buttons, drag the camera icon into the row in the Button Editor and press OK.
Is the screenshot the same quality as my video?
The frame is exported at your sequence resolution, so for the best quality set the Program Monitor to Full before exporting.
Want to speed up the rest of your edit? Try BetterFX and apply effects with a shortcut.
