As a video creator, it’s a question you’ll need to answer fast: How long does it take to edit a video? Professionally, that is?
It takes 30 to 60 minutes of editing per minute of finished video, on average. When you outsource, you’ll have 24 to 48 hours of turnaround for something like a Short or a ten-minute YouTube video.
It does depend on your needs. You might be new to video production, just planning your first project. Or perhaps you’re an established YouTuber thinking about outsourcing your video editing.
In any case, you should know how much time it takes to transform hours of raw footage into a captivating, polished clip. And why.
Here’s the run-down on how fast you can really have editing done.
Key Takeaways
- Professional video editing takes 30–60 minutes per finished minute of an average video.
- Typical turnaround starts at 48 hours.
- Social media shorts may have 24h turnaround
- Long footage, large filesizes, poor quality, and high requirements increase how long it takes to edit a video.
Keep reading for the full scoop!
Editing Time vs. Turnaround Time
One thing upfront: We’re going to be talking about professional video editing.
If you’re learning video editing from scratch, that’s a different matter entirely. (In case you’re wondering: You can master the basics of most programs in a few days. To get to a pro editing level, factor in at least six months of continuous editing work.)
For professional video editing, you have to distinguish between two different time frames: editing time vs. turnaround time.
First, editing time is what the editor spends on the job itself. Put simply, it’s how long they actually sit in front of their screens. This includes everything from skimming through the raw footage to rendering the final product.
Second, turnaround time is how fast you get your result. This depends on a lot of factors, like the availability of editors, working hours, transfer times for files, and how long all admin and communication takes.
If you’re outsourcing your video editing, turnaround time starts with sending in your order form and source footage. It ends with getting back the first draft of the finished video. Subsequent versions usually get done faster.
Important: Neither editing time nor turnaround time will include any revisions you may request on the basis of a first draft. They might be included in the price, but they’ll take extra time.
How Long Does It Take to Edit a Video?
Let’s dive deeper into editing time now. There are four big factors: the quality of your source material, its length, the complexity of the edits you want, and the editor’s skills.
As a rule of thumb, expect 30 minutes to an hour of editing time per minute of finished video.
If you want to produce a vlog-style YouTube video, and send a concise amount of high-quality footage to your editor, you can expect a final result fairly quickly. Especially if you also include a clear narrative structure, and want only basic cuts.
This will also lower the editing cost.
In contrast, if the editor needs to sift through 10 hours of raw footage, it’s going to take much more time (and money). Particularly if they also have to attempt to fix low audio and video quality. By weeding out the worst with a free video editing app, you can make your editor’s life easier. At the cost of taking up your own time.
That said, higher-quality footage doesn’t always shorten turnaround time. If you use a high-end camera, your files will be bigger. And larger files take much longer to transfer and render. The high-performance file transfer services that good editing companies use help, but big files slow down everything downstream.
The same is true for sophisticated special effects, transitions, or voice-overs. Color profiles, in particular, might look stunning in the end, but require additional color grading steps.
Finally, editing time also depends heavily on the experience and skill of the editor. This is something to keep in mind both when you consider brushing up on your own editing skills – or looking for someone to outsource your video editing to.
What Does Turnaround Time for Video Editing Depend On?
When it comes to turnaround time, it depends on what kind of video editor you’re working with, and what your working agreements and conditions are.
Most professional video editing companies have a standard turnaround time, by the end of which they’ll deliver a first draft. These usually range from two to seven business days for shorter videos, in some cases 24 hours. If you’ve got a larger project – an hour-long documentary, for example – you’ll get a custom time and cost quote.
Some companies also offer express options like overnight, 24h, or 48h, for an extra charge (and within reason).
Once you receive the first video draft, you can usually request a limited number of revisions included. Even editors working on an hourly rate might set a limit, because they’ll have to fit them into their schedule. Generally, however, revisions will take another 24 to 48 hours per round.
If you hire someone on a subscription basis, turnaround time will depend on the subscription tier you opt for. They’ll also complete orders one by one. If you send in two videos, they’ll only start on the second one in the queue once you’ve signed off on the first.
Apart from that, the actual turnaround time also depends on factors such as when in the day or the week you send your raw material, especially across time zones. Also, if you give your editor a heads-up well in advance, they can schedule work time for your project. This often means a shorter turnaround once you do send them the files.
The Bottom Line on Edit Time
All in all, how long it takes to edit a video depends on the quality and quantity of your source material, and the type of editing work you want done. Generally, you can expect 30–60 minutes of editing work for each finished minute of video content.
Turnaround times vary depending on the editor or video editing company you work with. However, expect a minimum of two business days until you get a first draft – except for extremely simple or short videos.
FAQs
How long does it take to edit a minute of video?
A good rule of thumb is around 30 to 60 minutes. It depends on your footage quality and length, your requirements, and your editor.
How long does it take to edit a YouTube video?
For a 5-minute video, an editor might take about 3 to 5 hours of pure editing time For this kind of video, many video editing services will have a draft ready within 48 hours.
How fast can I have my video edited?
Realistically, within about 2 to 7 days. To get a video done faster, expect to pay a surcharge. Some editing services, like Tasty Edits, will do vertical shorts in 24 hours (for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, IG Reels and similar).
How long do revisions take?
That depends on the amount of changes, but generally you can expect the same turnaround time as for the first edit, maybe a bit faster. This means at least 1 to 2 business days.
What is turnaround time in video editing?
It’s the time between you making a video order and getting back your first draft. This usually takes a few days. Any revisions will have their own turnaround time (often shorter).
How long does a 20 minute video take to edit?
About 10 to 20 hours, since a minute of video will take half an hour to an hour of editing on average. That means an editor will likely take 2 to 3 days to do it.
How long does editing a 5 minute video take?
A five-minute clip will take about 3 to 5 hours to edit, assuming it’s a fairly standard video. As a rule of thumb, a minute takes up to an hour to finish. For turnaround, expect at least 1 or 2 days.
Is video editing time consuming?
Yes. Video editing is the single biggest time sink for most content creators. This is why it’s one of the first things YouTubers, marketers and other video makers outsource.
How long will it take to learn video editing?
You can expect to learn the basics of video editing within a few days or weeks, and some advanced techniques within a few months. Professional-grade editing, however, takes years to learn.
Can I teach myself video editing?
To a point. There are plenty of courses, even online, that will teach you the basics of video editing. Since it’s more of an art than a science, you’ll learn better with plenty of feedback from teachers and peers, though.
