Long video in · Shorts out

How to Convert YouTube Video to Shorts Automatically

Turn your YouTube library into a Shorts factory. Paste a link and let AI find the most viral moments, crop to vertical, and add captions.

Long Video

Shorts by CrabCut

Quick answer

How do you turn a YouTube video into Shorts?

YouTube Video to Shorts AI Converter | CrabCut

Paste a YouTube link, let CrabCut analyze the transcript and video, then export 9:16 vertical shorts with captions for YouTube Shorts.

Paste a YouTube URL
AI finds highlight moments
Export Shorts-ready videos

Open YouTube shorts maker

How it works

From long video to sharper, ready-to-post Shorts in five steps.

Workflow

Transcribe

We transcribe your video with high accuracy in 16+ languages.

TranscriptEN

00:04So the idea was never about going viral overnight.

00:11It was about showing up consistently, even when nobody was watching.

00:18That part is what actually compounds.

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Feed the Shorts Algorithm

YouTube is aggressively pushing Shorts in its ecosystem. If you aren't repurposing your long-form videos, you're missing out on millions of potential subscribers.

Discovery Benefits

Shorts appear on the main feed and the dedicated Shorts shelf. They are the #1 way to get new eyes on your channel in 2026.

Algorithm Push

YouTube rewards channels that use multiple formats. Shorts bridge the gap between casual viewers and loyal subscribers.

From URL to Viral Short

Zero manual editing. Just pure conversion power.

1. Paste Link

Simply copy-paste your YouTube video URL.

2. AI Highlights

AI Finds the most engaging hooks and segments.

3. Shorts-Ready

Download vertical, captioned shorts ready for YouTube.

Optimized for Conversion

Vertical Crop

Auto-reframe 16:9 videos to 9:16 vertical while tracking the subject.

Dynamic Captions

Colorful, animated captions that keep viewers glued to the screen.

Hook-First Edits

AI ensures every Short starts with a strong, attention-grabbing hook.

The Ultimate Guide: How to Make YouTube Shorts from Long Videos

If you've been wondering how to make YouTube Shorts from a video you've already uploaded, you're in the right place. In the past, repurposing long-form content meant hours of tedious editing, manual cropping, and struggling with aspect ratios. With our AI-powered tool, that's a thing of the past.

The secret to growth in 2026 is being smarter with the content you already have. Many creators sit on a goldmine of long-form videos that are perfect for the YouTube Shorts format. By breaking down your best moments into 60-second shorts, you give the algorithm more chances to find your audience.

Why the YouTube Shorts Format Matters

Shorts aren't just a vertical version of your video. They are a discovery engine. When you convert a long YouTube video to Shorts with AI, you create entry points for new viewers. Think of it like a movie trailer. If they like the highlight, they'll stick around for the full show.

Our YouTube Shorts creator from long video technology doesn't just cut your footage. it analyzes the audio cues, facial expressions, and speaker pacing to find the exact moment a "hook" happens. This ensures that every Short you publish has the highest chance of going viral.

Pro Tip for Channel Growth

Always link your Shorts back to the original long-form video using YouTube's "Related Video" feature. This creates a powerful funnel that turns casual viewers into loyal subscribers.

Ready to try it? Start making shorts for free.

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Three things. Done well.

A focused tool that finds moments, captions, and reframes. Built for solo creators.

Reframing that actually tracks faces

Multi-speaker podcast? We follow whoever's talking. Single host moving around? We stay locked on. No cropped foreheads, no jaw-cut edges.

THIS CHANGED

EVERYTHING

for real

Captions in 16+ languages

Animated, accurate, customizable. Pick fonts, colors, position, and animation style. Keyword highlighting and emoji auto-placement included.

YOUR LOGO

BRAND-READY

Your brand, every short

Add your logo, fonts, and colors. Save style presets per channel. Every short exports looking like yours.

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Who It's For

YouTubers

Grow your subscriber base with zero extra work.

Brands

Turn webinars and promos into social content.

Educators

Share knowledge in bite-sized learning bits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I turn a YouTube link into a Short?

Simply paste the YouTube URL into our tool. Our AI will automatically download, analyze, and turn the most engaging moments into 9:16 vertical Shorts.

Does it work with long-form videos?

Yes! You can process YouTube videos up to 2 hours long. The AI will find multiple high-potential hooks for Shorts.

Are the captions customizable?

Yes, you can choose from various 'Shorts-style' caption presets, change colors, and adjust font sizes to match your channel branding.

Is there a limit to how many Shorts I can create?

Depending on your plan, you can generate dozens of Shorts from a single YouTube video. Most videos yield between 5-15 high-quality shorts.

Related resources

Scale Your YouTube Growth

Turn your existing videos into a persistent subscriber magnet.

Paste YouTube Link