Cropping a Video in VLC

Cropping a video isn’t just about cutting length — sometimes you need to remove unwanted edges or focus the frame. VLC Media Player makes this possible without needing expensive software. Here’s how to crop a video using VLC, step by step.

Why Crop a Video in VLC?

Maybe you want to:

• Cut out black bars or logos.
• Focus on a subject in the center.
• Remove distractions around the edges.
  Whatever the reason, VLC lets you crop efficiently — and it’s free.

Step 1: Open Your Video in VLC

1. Launch VLC.
2. Go to Media > Open File, and select your video.

Step 2: Set the Crop Values

You need to tell VLC how many pixels to crop from each side.

1. Go to Tools > Effects and Filters.
2. Click the Video Effects tab.
3. Go to the Crop tab.
4. Enter pixel values for Top, Bottom, Left, and Right. You’ll see the effect instantly.
5. Adjust until it looks right, then note down the values — you’ll need them for the next step.

Step 3: Convert and Crop the Video (For Saving)

To permanently save the cropped version:

1. Go to Media > Convert / Save.
2. Add your video file and click Convert / Save.
3. In the Convert window, click the wrench icon next to the Profile to open Profile Edition.
4. Go to the Video Codec tab > Filters tab.
5. Check the box for Video cropping filter.
6. Click Save.

Now back in the Convert screen:

7. Under Destination file, choose where to save your cropped video.
8. Click Start.

But wait — one more step.

Step 4: Set the Crop Filter Manually

VLC doesn’t automatically pull in the pixel values. So you’ll need to set them manually:

1. Go to Tools > Preferences.
2. At the bottom, click All under Show settings.
3. In the left sidebar, go to Video > Filters > Croppadd.
4. Enter your crop values for Top, Bottom, Left, and Right.
5. Hit Save.

Now re-do the Convert process (Step 3) with the crop filter enabled. This time, VLC will crop based on the values you set.

Final Tip

Remember to reset or remove the crop settings after you’re done, or VLC will apply them to every video you play.

Wrapping Up

Cropping in VLC takes a few steps, but once you’ve done it, it’s straightforward. It’s a great tool when you need basic video edits without downloading a full video editor.

Got questions or need more VLC tips? Drop a comment below — or check out our other guides on editing videos for free.