How to crop a video by height and width on Android: 5 proven methods

Cutting videos on a smartphone is a task that every second user faces. Some people need to adjust the video to the format Instagram Stories with aspect ratio 9:16, some need to remove unnecessary edges before loading into TikTok or YouTube Shorts, and others just want to remove the black bars on the sides. Unlike computers, where they use Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Profor this, on Android the process can be completed in literally a few taps - the main thing is to know which tools are suitable for this.

In this article we will analyze 5 ways to trim a video height and width: from built-in functions Google Photos to professional applications like CapCut i KineMaster. You will learn how to maintain video quality, avoid distortion, and even automatically adjust the video to popular social networks. And if you work with video often, you will find recommendations for choosing the optimal aspect ratio for different platforms.

Important: cropping is different from cropping. When cropping, you change frame sizes (reduce the height/width), and when cropping, you cut out a fragment from the center. This article will focus on the first option.

1. Trimming videos through Google Photos: an easy way without installing applications

Google Photos is one of the most underrated applications for basic video processing on Android. It comes pre-installed on most smartphones and allows you to trim videos without losing quality (provided you don't change the resolution). Here's how it works:

1. Open Google Photos and select the desired video.
2. Tap on the edit button (pencil icon).
3. Go to tab Crop (square icon with corners).
4. Drag the edges of the frame to change the width or height of the video.
5. Click Save a copyso as not to lose the original.

The advantage of this method is no watermarks and restrictions on video duration. However, there are no exact numerical values ​​for cropping, so for professional work it is better to use specialized applications.

Please note: Google Photos saves the video at the same resolution as the original, but if you greatly reduce the frame size, the final quality may deteriorate. For example, when cropping a video 1920×1080 to a square format 1080×1080 the actual resolution will be reduced to 1080×608 (since the aspect ratio is preserved).

⚠️ Attention: In some versions Google Photos the video trimming function may be hidden behind the “Try new editing tools” checkbox. If you do not see the tab Croppingupdate the application to the latest version.

2. Applications for precise cutting: CapCut vs KineMaster vs InShot If you need video (for example, for streams or commercials), standard tools will not be enough. In this case, specialized video editors come to the rescue. We tested three of the most popular applications and compared their capabilities:

If you need precise size adjustment video (for example, for streams on Twitch or commercials), standard tools Android won't be enough. In this case, specialized video editors come to the rescue. We tested three of the most popular applications and compared their capabilities:

Application	Max. export permission	Support for aspect ratios	Watermark	Difficulty for beginners
CapCut	4K (3840×2160)	9:16, 16:9, 1:1, 4:5, custom	No	Average
KineMaster	4K (with a paid subscription)	Any, including 21:9	Yes (removed in Pro version)	High
InShot	1080p	9:16, 16:9, 1:1, 3:4	Yes (removed upon purchase)	Low

For most tasks we recommend CapCut this is a free application without watermarks, with support 4K and a user-friendly interface. To trim a video:

• 📱 Set CapCut from Google Play and import the video.
• 🎬 Click on the clip in the timeline and select Trim.
• 📏 Enter exact width and height values in pixels or select a preliminary ratio (for example, 9:16 for Instagram Reels).
• ✅ Export video without losing quality (select Resolution: Original).

Important: In KineMaster and InShot, when cropping a video to non-standard ratios (for example, 2:1), a black margin may appear around the edges. To remove it, use the “Background” function and set the color to match the main tone. video.

3. Trimming video through VLC: an unexpected lifehack

Few people know, but the popular media player VLC can not only play video, but also edit it - including cropping by height and width. This method is suitable for those who do not want to install additional applications, but need it. in a more precise setting than in Google Photos.

Instructions:

1. Open the video in VLC and click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select Video Editor (Video Editor).
3. Go to the Cropping tab (Crop).
4. Specify values for Left, Right, Top and Bottom (in pixels). For example, to trim the video 1920×1080 to 1080×1080, enter Left: 420 and Right: 420.
5. Save the project and export the video.

The main plus VLC is support batch processing. You can trim several videos at a time by setting the same parameters. However, the interface here is less intuitive than in specialized editors, so beginners may need time to master.

⚠️ Attention: When trimming in VLC video is automatically transcoded, which may lead to loss of quality. If it is important for you to maintain the original resolution, use the setting Profile: Original in the export menu.

4. Automatic cropping for social networks: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube

If you create content for social networks, manually trimming each video can be too time-consuming. Fortunately, many applications (including CapCut and InShots) offer cropping templates here are the relevant aspect ratios in 2026:

• 📱 Instagram Stories/Reels: 9:16 (1080×1920)
• 🎵 TikTok: 9:16 (1080×1920) or 1:1 (1080×1080)
• 📺 YouTube Shorts: 9:16 (1080×1920)
• 🖼️ Instagram Post: 4:5 (1080×1350) or 1:1
• 🌐 YouTube (classic video): 16:9 (1920×1080)

To automatically trim the video to the desired size format:

1. B CapCut or InShot select a project template for a specific social network (for example, "Instagram Reels").
2. Import the video - it will automatically adjust to the required ratio.
3. If necessary adjust the cropping manually.

Tip: If your video has a non-standard aspect ratio (for example, 21:9 from an action camera), first crop it to 16:9and then adjust it to 9:16 for stories. This will help avoid severe distortion. data-i="160">Use 9:16 ratio (1080×1920)

Use 9:16 ratio (1080x1920)

Make sure the duration does not exceed 10 minutes

Crop the black bars on the sides (if any)

Save the video in MP4 format with a bitrate of at least 5000 kbps-->

5. Trimming video without losing quality: technical nuances

One ​​of the most common questions when trimming a video is how to avoid loss of quality. Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely preserve the original resolution when resizing the frame, but you can minimize losses. Here are the key rules:

• 🔍 Crop to multiples. If the original video is 1920×1080, crop to 960×540 or 1440×810 (divisors of the original resolution).
• 🎯 Use even numbers for width and height (for example, 1280×720 instead 1281×721).
• 📉 Do not enlarge size. If the video is originally 720p, cropping to 1080p will not improve the quality, but will only add artifacts.
• 🔄 Save in the original format. If the video was shot in H.265 (HEVC), export in the same codec.

For maximum control over quality, use KineMaster with manual bitrate settings. Optimal values:

• 1080p: 8–12 Mbps
• 720p: 5–8 Mbps
• 4K: 20–30 Mbps

Example settings for export to KineMaster:

Resolution: 1920×1080
Bitrate: 10 Mbps
Format: MP4
Codec: H.264 (AVC)
Frame rate: 30 fps (if the original is 30 fps)

⚠️ Attention: When trimming video with high dynamic range (HDR) some applications (for example, InShot) can convert it to SDR, which will lead to loss of color gamut. Before exporting, check the color settings.

6. Trimming video on Android without installing applications: online services

If you do not want to download additional apps, you can trim the video directly in browser. There are several reliable online services that work directly with files on your device (without uploading to the server). The best of them:

• 🌐 Clideo - supports cropping, rotation and changing the aspect ratio. Maximum file size: 500 MB.
• 🌐 Kapwing - allows you to crop the video with pixel precision, add a background and text.
• 🌐 Online Video Cutter - a simple tool without registration, but with a limit on video length (up to 10 minutes).

How to trim a video online:

1. Open one of the services in the browser Chrome or Firefox.
2. Upload the video from your device (click Select file).
3. Select the cropping tool (Crop or Resize).
4. Specify new dimensions or drag the frame manually.
5. Download the processed video to phone.

The advantage of online services is no load on the smartphone processor. However, they also have disadvantages: file size restrictions, possible privacy problems (if the service uploads videos to its servers) and dependence on Internet speed.

How check if the video is uploaded to the online editor server?

Open the developer tools in the browser (in Chrome: three dots → “For Developers” → “Developer Tools”) Go to the “Network” tab and see if requests for downloading files appear (for example, POST requests to the service domain). If so, your video is sent to an external one. server.

7. Common mistakes when trimming videos and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that spoil the final video. Here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

Error	Consequences	How to avoid
Cropping without maintaining proportions	Distortion of objects (stretching or shrinking)	Use the "Keep proportions" lock or enter dimensions manually with the correct ratio
Export in low bitrate	Artifacts, blur, "soap"	Set the bitrate to at least 5 Mbps for 720p and 8 Mbps for 1080p
Cropping with increasing size	Pixelization, loss of detail	Never increase the resolution above the original
Ignoring safe zones	Cropping important elements (for example, subtitles)	Before cropping, turn on the display of safe zones (in CapCut: Settings → Show guides)

Another typical problem is frame rate mismatch. For example, if the original video was shot on 60 fps, and you export it to 30 fps, the movement will always be jerky. check the settings FPS in the export menu.

If, after trimming the video, the video begins to “jerk” or green artifacts appear, most likely the problem is in the codec. Try exporting the video in format MP4 c. codec H.264 is the most universal option for Android.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to trim a video on Android without losing quality?

Completely without losing quality - no, since any change in frame size requires re-encoding. However, the loss will be minimal if:

• Crop the video with multiple values (for example, 1920×1080 → 960×540).
• Keep the original codec (H.264 or H.265).
• Use a high bitrate when exporting (from 8 Mbps for Full HD).

The best applications for minimal losses: CapCut and KineMaster (in the "Export without compression").

How to trim a video to an exact pixel size?

For precise pixel cropping:

1. Open the video in CapCut or KineMaster.
2. Go to trim mode (Crop).
3. Disable the "Maintain proportions" option (if you need a non-standard ratio).
4. Enter the width and height values manually (for example, 1200 and 800 for the ratio 3:2).
5. Confirm changes and export video.

In VLC you can also specify the exact cropping values in pixels for each side (Left, Right, Top, Bottom).

Why did the video become stretched after trimming?

Stretching occurs when:

• You changed the aspect ratio, but did not disable the "Fill with Frame" option (in Google Photos or InShot).
• The application automatically added black fields, and you zoomed in to hide them.
• The original video had a non-standard ratio (for example, 21:9 from the action camera), and you cropped it to 16:9 without adjusting the proportions.

Solution: Undo the cropping and repeat the process, making sure that the "Maintain proportions" option is turned on and the "Fill with frame" option is turned off.

Which application is best for trimming videos on a weak smartphone?

If your Androidsmartphone has less than 4 GB of RAM, avoid heavy editors like KineMaster or PowerDirectorThe best options:

• Google Photos - lightweight, without. load on the system.
• InShot —works stably even on budget devices.
• VLC —if you need precise cropping without installing additional apps.
• Quik (from GoPro)—optimized for weak processors.

Tip: before trimming, close all background applications and turn on power saving mode to avoid lags.

Is it possible to trim a video in Telegram or WhatsApp before sending?

No, neither Telegramnor WhatsApp do not have built-in tools for trimming videos. However, you can:

• Crop the video in advance in Google Photos or another editor, and then send.
• Use bots for trimming (for example, @VideoToolBot in Telegram), but this is less convenient.
• In WhatsApp before sending, you can only trim duration video (trimming), but not the frame size.