How to Reverse a Clip in Premiere Pro (The Right Way)
Reversing footage can create striking, creative effects like powder flying back into the air, someone walking backward, or a dramatic rewind moment. The best part? You can do it in seconds using Premiere Pro’s built-in tools.
Learn how to reverse a video clip, adjust the speed, and even make it look smoother using Optical Flow, all without any plugins.
When to Use Reverse Playback
Reverse effects are popular in:
Social media edits (TikTok/Instagram Reels)
Transition sequences
Music videos
Stylized montages
Tutorials or demonstrations
If you're new to Premiere Pro, this is a great tool to learn early, it’s fast, fun, and incredibly versatile.
How to Reverse a Clip in Premiere Pro
Select your clip in the timeline.
Right-click and choose Speed/Duration.
Check the box for Reverse Speed.
Click OK — your clip now plays in reverse.
Done! You’ve just created a simple rewind effect.
Customize the Speed (Optional)
Want to shorten or slow it down?
In the Speed/Duration window, enter a new duration (e.g. 3 seconds).
Premiere Pro will automatically calculate the speed needed to match that length.
This is great for syncing the reverse moment to music or matching timing with another clip.
Smooth It Out with Optical Flow
Sometimes reversing footage causes jerky motion, especially at slower speeds.
To fix this:
Right-click the reversed clip.
Go to Time Interpolation > Optical Flow.
Premiere will blend frames for a smoother visual effect, especially useful when reversing people or fast motion.
Reversing clips is one of those quick tricks that feels like magic, and it can elevate your edits instantly. Whether you’re trying to be funny, artsy, or dramatic, knowing how to reverse and smooth footage gives you creative flexibility in any project.
Give it a try, play with speed, and explore where reverse effects can take your edit. View more quick Premiere Pro tutorials on YouTube here.