Trim a Video Without Re-encoding using ffmpeg -c copy
Cut a section out of a video in seconds with no quality loss by stream-copying with ffmpeg.
Run ffmpeg -ss 00:10:00 -to 00:12:30 -i video.mp4 -c copy clip.mp4 to cut the 10:00–12:30 portion into a new file almost instantly.
01Command
Command
$ ffmpeg -ss 00:10:00 -to 00:12:30 -i video.mp4 -c copy clip.mp402What it does
-ss and -to pick the start and end timestamps, and -c copy tells ffmpeg to copy the existing video and audio streams into the new file instead of re-encoding them — so it runs at disk speed with zero quality loss. Note the cut can only snap to the nearest keyframe, so the start point may shift a second or two. If you need frame-exact cuts, drop -c copy to force a full re-encode, which takes longer but is pixel-accurate.
03Risk
!Warning: Because stream copy cuts at keyframes, the clip may start slightly before your chosen point — check the result, and re-encode if you need a precise start.
04Undo
✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.
05Sources
- ffmpeg DocumentationEvidence: The documentation describes -ss as the input seeking option, -to as setting the stop time, and -c copy as copying streams without re-encoding.
- FFmpeg FAQEvidence: The FAQ discusses stream copying with '-c copy' as the way to cut media without losing quality from re-encoding.
Last verified: 2026-09-19 · Category: Media