How to Trim Instagram Story Video with or Without Video Trimmers

There are 4 main types of videos on Instagram including the story video, the feed video, the IGTC video, and the reels. Among them, the Instagram story video allows you to share everyday moments and grow closer to the people you care about.

Sometimes, the video you want to upload for your Instagram story is longer than its specs. To make your video conform to the requirements of the Instagram story, you need to know the Instagram story video specs and find ways to trim video for Instagram story. 

Instagram Story Video Specs

• Video type: short video
• Maximum length: 60 seconds
• Recommended resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Recommended aspect ratio: 9:16
• Video format: MP4, MOV

If the video length is longer than 60 seconds, Instagram will automatically cut off the excess footage. To retain the highlights of your video, it is necessary to trim the video in advance to remove unimportant parts. 

This table shows the system support, charge, features, etc. of several Instagram story trimmers.

How to Trim Instagram Story Video During Posting

Instagram has a built-in video editor that supports trimming. You can use it to make your video shorter. The following steps are based on Instagram phone app.

1. Go to your profile page and tap the plus icon on your profile picture at the top-right.

2. Choose the target video from your library.

3. Move the handle on the left and right side of the duration bar to cut the beginning and end of the video.

4. Tap Done on the top rightto save the changes.

5. Tap the arrow to and select Share to post your story.

How to Trim Instagram Story Video Before Posting

To shorten video on Instagram story, follow these basic steps within a professional video editing software:

1. Download and install a video trimmer.
2. Open the software and import the target Instagram story video.
3. Add the video to the timeline and perform the trimming.
4. Save changes and export the trimmed Instagram story video.

How to Trim Video on Instagram Story on Computer

The following takes several desktop video editors for example to show how to shorten video on Instagram story.

#1 MiniTool MovieMaker (Windows)

MiniTool MovieMaker, an excellent Windows video editing application, is an excellent choice to trim video for Instagram story. It enables you to trim a video easily and supports trimming video accurately by locating each frame.

Step 1. Download MiniTool MovieMaker and install it on your computer.

MiniTool MovieMakerClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Step 2. Launch MiniTool MovieMaker and close the popup window to enter its editing interface. Click Import Media Files to import the video you want to share on the Instagram story from your computer and click Open or directly drag and drop them to the Import Media Files area.

Step 3. Click the plus icon on the target video to add it to the timeline or directly drag and drop it to the timeline.

Step 4. You need to click the target video on the timeline to highlight it in advance. Then move the mouse cursor over the beginning of the video clip until it becomes a square bracket with an arrow, and drag the mouse rightwards to the start of the desired part. Then move the mouse cursor over the end of the video clip until the square bracket with an arrow appears, and drag the mouse leftwards to the end of the desired part.

Step 5. Click the Export icon in the Player section, adjust the output parameters like format, resolution, frame rate, and others, and then click Export to save it.

Also, MiniTool MovieMaker offers 4 types of aspect ratios including 9:16 and you can resize your video if its aspect ratio is not suitable for the Instagram story. Moreover, it supports exporting videos in MP4 and MOV formats.

Trimming is intuitive. You drag the left or right edge of your clip in the timeline to shorten it, or you can use the Split tool to cut it at the cursor location. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/minitool-moviemaker

Microsoft Photos Legacy (Windows)

Microsoft Photos Legacy, the built-in program of Windows, offers a video editor that has some useful editing features. You can use it to trim or split videos. With its clean interface and simple operation, you can trim Instagram story videos easily.

Step 1. Open Photos Legacy and click the Video Editor tab at the top of this window.

Step 2. Click the New video project button to create a blank project.

Step 3. Click +Add to import video from your PC, collection, or web and directly drag and drop it to the storyboard.

Step 4. Click Trim on the toolbar, adjust the blue box framed in the below screenshot to trim the video clip, and click Done.

Step 5. Click the Finish video button to choose the video quality and click Export to save it.

The video trimming capability is basic but functional: You set an in point and an out point, and that's pretty much it. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/microsoft-photos

iMovie

If you are a Mac user, iMovie is a good video editing software you can try. It provides you with video editing tools like trimming, splitting, and more. You can use it to trim videos as below.

Step 1. Download and install iMovie on your Mac and open it.

Step 2. Click the Project tab, click the Create New button, and select the Movie option.

Step 3. Click File and click the Import Media option to import the video you want to trim. Then drag and drop the video clip to the timeline.

Step 4. Move the playhead to the place you want to trim and press Command + B on the keyboard to make the trim.

Step 5. Choose the unwanted part and press the Delete key on the keyboard to remove it.

Step 6. Click the share icon, click the Export File option, customize the output settings, and click the Next… button to export the trimmed video.

You can trim clips in the source panel before adding them to a project, or simply drag the end handles to change the in and out points. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/apple-imovie

How to Trim Instagram Story Video iPhone/Android

You can also try to trim Instagram story videos on your phone and InShot is worth tying. InShot, compatible with both Android and iPhone, is a good video editor with various features. You can not only use it to trim a video but also split and merge videos.

How to Cut Instagram Story Video Online

In addition to downloading software on a computer and phone, you can also try online tools.

Clideo, an online tool with a user-friendly interface, enables you to trim videos easily. This video trimmer works with most common formats such as MP4, MOV, AVI, and others.

Step 1. Go to the Clideo website: https://clideo.com/cut-video.

Step 2. Click Choose file to upload the video you want to trim. Adjust the sliding bar at both ends to choose the part you want to retain and shorten the video duration.

Step 3. Choose Extract Selected and click the Export button to save the trimmed video.

It’s possible to work with multiple layers of video, and trimming a clip is as easy as selecting it in the Timeline, and dragging its edges inwards.https://www.techradar.com/reviews/clideo-review

Wrapping Up

Sometimes, we need to trim video for Instagram story. Using a good tool can help you trim videos easily and quickly. You can use Instagram’s built-in video editor to trim Instagram story videos. Also, you can try system embedded apps like Photos Legacy and iMovie. The third-party tools like MiniTool MovieMaker and Clideo which can also do a favor.

Finally, if you have any questions while using MiniTool MovieMaker, please don’t hesitate to email for help at [email protected] or leave comments below.

How to Trim Instagram Story Video FAQ