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Windows · Video

LosslessCut for Windows

Free, open-source tool for trimming and cutting video and audio files without re-encoding, preserving original quality.

Updated August 9, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation

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Overview

LosslessCut is a free, open-source utility for cutting sections out of video and audio files without re-encoding them, meaning trims complete almost instantly and the kept portions retain their exact original quality. It builds on FFmpeg's stream-copy capability rather than decoding and re-encoding frames.

Its use case is narrow and specific: removing dead air from the start or end of a recording, cutting out unwanted sections, or splitting a long file into parts, all without the time cost or quality loss of a full re-encode. It is not a general editor — there are no transitions, effects, or multi-track timelines.

Because it only cuts at existing keyframes for true lossless operation (with an option for more precise but re-encoded cuts), trims can occasionally land a fraction of a second off an exact frame unless you use the slower, precise mode. This is a real trade-off inherent to lossless cutting, not a bug.

It suits anyone who records long video (screen recordings, camera footage, streams) and just needs to trim the excess quickly, especially before further processing in HandBrake or an NLE.

Key features

  • Cuts video and audio without re-encoding, preserving original quality
  • Near-instant trims thanks to stream-copy rather than full decode/encode
  • Optional precise (re-encoded) cut mode for exact frame accuracy
  • Simple timeline scrubber with keyboard shortcuts for setting cut points
  • Batch export of multiple segments from one source file
  • Extracts and merges streams (video, audio, subtitles) from a file
  • Cross-platform availability on Windows, macOS, and Linux

System requirements

Operating system
Windows 11 and Windows 10 (64-bit)
Architecture
64-bit only

How to install LosslessCut

  1. 1. Download from GitHub releases

    Visit the project's GitHub releases page linked from mifi.no/losslesscut and download the Windows build.

  2. 2. Extract or install

    Depending on the release format, either run the installer or extract the portable build to a folder.

  3. 3. Launch the app

    Open LosslessCut and drag a video file onto the window to begin.

How to use it

  1. 1. Load a file

    Drag a video or audio file into the LosslessCut window.

  2. 2. Set cut points

    Use the timeline or keyboard shortcuts to mark the start and end of the segment you want to keep or remove.

  3. 3. Export

    Click the export button to save the trimmed result, which completes almost instantly in lossless mode.

  4. 4. Use precise mode if needed

    Enable the precise cut/re-encode option in settings when you need an exact frame-accurate trim rather than the nearest keyframe.

Safety and privacy

  • We link to the project's official GitHub releases page, which is the developer's own distribution channel.
  • LosslessCut is open source with publicly available source code.
Bundled software
The official release packages do not bundle third-party offers.
Privacy
LosslessCut runs entirely locally with no account or network requirement.

Known risks

  • True lossless cuts snap to the nearest keyframe, so trim points can be slightly imprecise unless you enable the slower, re-encoded precise cut mode.

What's new

  • Recent release series

    Recent releases have refined the segment editing workflow and updated the underlying FFmpeg components. Check the project's GitHub releases page for the current version.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Extremely fast trims with no quality loss
  • Free and open source
  • Simple, focused interface for a specific job
  • Can extract or merge streams as well as cut

Cons

  • Not a general video editor — no transitions or effects
  • Lossless cuts can only land on keyframes unless precise mode is used
  • Interface is utilitarian rather than polished
  • Precise mode re-encodes, giving up the speed advantage

Verdict

LosslessCut does one job extremely well: cutting video without re-encoding it. For trimming recordings before further editing or sharing, it is faster and more quality-preserving than doing the same trim in a full NLE.

Frequently asked questions

Is LosslessCut free?

Yes, LosslessCut is free and open source.

Does trimming with LosslessCut reduce quality?

No, in its default lossless mode it copies streams without re-encoding, so the kept footage is identical in quality to the source.

Why can't I cut at the exact frame I want?

Lossless cuts snap to the nearest keyframe in the source file. Enable the precise cut mode, which re-encodes the affected section, for exact frame accuracy.

Can LosslessCut convert between formats?

It is focused on cutting and stream extraction rather than format conversion; use HandBrake or FFmpeg for full transcoding.