How to Cut Audio for TikTok, Instagram Reels & YouTube Shorts
Updated · 4 min read · MP3 Cutter Team
TL;DR
Load the track into an online audio cutter, place the playhead at the hook, click “15 s from playhead” (or drag a 30–60 s selection), add a 0.5 s fade in and a 1–2 s fade out, and export MP3. Then import the clip as original audio in the TikTok, Instagram or YouTube editor.
Recommended clip lengths
| Platform | Sweet spot | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | 15–30 s | 10 min |
| Instagram Reels | 7–15 s for loops, 30 s for stories | 3 min |
| YouTube Shorts | 15–45 s | 3 min |
| Instagram Stories | 15 s per story card | 60 s |
Step-by-step
- Open MP3 Cutter and load your song or voiceover.
- Press Space to play; when the hook starts, press Space again to pause.
- Click the 15 s from playhead · Reels/Shorts chip — the selection snaps into place.
- Set Fade in to 0.3–0.5 s and Fade out to 1–2 s for a seamless loop.
- Export MP3 at 192 kbps and transfer to your phone (AirDrop, Nearby Share or cloud drive).
- In the app's editor, add it as a voiceover / original sound and line it up with your clips.
Make it loop perfectly
Short-form videos auto-replay. Start and end your selection on a downbeat (the tall peaks in the waveform) so the loop feels continuous. Use Loop mode while previewing to check it.
Copyright note
Commercial songs uploaded as original audio may be muted or claimed. Use royalty-free music, your own recordings, or the platform's licensed sound library for commercial content.
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