Looking to boost your YouTube presence with short‑form content? YouTube Shorts has become a dominant format, and repurposing your existing videos into Shorts can extend reach without extra filming.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the complete process of turning any long‑form video into a 60‑second Short, using YouTube’s native tools on mobile or a powerful online editor on PC. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to create eye‑catching Shorts that link back to your original content and keep viewers coming back.
Want to jump right in? Try our FlexClip’s Pre‑Made Templates for instant inspiration, or start from scratch with the FlexClip Online Video Maker.
Part 1: Can You Create YouTube Shorts from Existing Videos?
Yes—YouTube’s Studio lets creators remix any previously uploaded video into a Short. You can select up to 60 seconds of footage, add new clips, text, filters, and more. When you publish, the Short automatically links back to the original long‑form video, giving viewers an easy path to explore the full content.
On desktop, the “Remix” feature isn’t available, so you’ll need a third‑party editor. FlexClip is a popular choice for turning any existing footage into a polished Short that can be uploaded directly from your browser.
Part 2: How to Create Shorts from Existing YouTube Videos on Mobile
Step 1: Open the YouTube app, sign in, and tap the video you want to remix.
Step 2: Tap the Remix button below the title, then select Edit into a Short.
Step 3: Use the sliders to choose a 60‑second (or shorter) clip from the original video. You can also add extra footage if needed.
Step 4: Customize the Short—add text, stickers, music, or filters just as you would with a brand‑new Short.
Step 5: Tap Next, add a concise title and caption, then hit Upload Short to publish.
Part 3: How to Create YouTube Shorts from Existing Video on PC
Since there’s no remix button on desktop, follow these steps with FlexClip (or a similar online editor):
Step 1: Open FlexClip’s editor and upload your existing video or use the screen‑recording tool to capture a pre‑uploaded YouTube video.
Step 2: Set the canvas to a 9:16 ratio for Shorts, then drag your footage onto the timeline.
Step 3: Trim or split the clip to keep the content within 60 seconds. Use the Zoom tool to focus on key moments.
Step 4: Enhance the Short with background music, text animations, stickers, filters, transitions, and overlays. FlexClip’s AI tools can add auto‑subtitles or generate voice‑over narration.
Step 5: Preview the final edit, click Export, and choose the “Upload to YouTube” option. Remember to include the #shorts hashtag in the description to ensure the video appears in the Shorts feed.
Final Words: Repurposing existing videos into Shorts is a powerful strategy to extend the life of your content and attract new viewers. By following the methods above, you can quickly produce engaging Shorts that drive traffic back to your channel and keep audiences excited.
Sandy
Sandy is a seasoned photographer with years of professional experience, passionate about video production and constantly exploring new editing techniques.