# What you can clip

The kinds of video Cliphi can turn into clips, the links and files it accepts, how long they can be, and what makes a good one.

Cliphi makes short clips out of long video. You can give it a link, or upload a
file from your computer.

## Paste a link

Paste a link to a video and Cliphi does the rest. Here is what works:

**YouTube.** A normal video, a livestream, or a Short. With a livestream, clips
can come back while it is still going. See [YouTube to TikTok](/tools/youtube-to-tiktok).

**Twitch and Kick.** A past broadcast, a single clip, or a live channel. Live
works here too, so a highlight can go up before you have even ended the stream.
See [Twitch to TikTok](/tools/twitch-to-tiktok) and [Kick to TikTok](/tools/kick-to-tiktok).

**Podcasts.** Paste the podcast's YouTube link. See [Podcast to TikTok](/tools/podcast-to-tiktok).

**TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.** A single video, reel, or post. For Instagram
you can also paste a story or a highlight.

**X (Twitter).** A video post. X Spaces will not work, since those are audio only.

**Pinterest.** A video pin.

**Google Drive.** A video file you have shared. Share the file itself, not a
folder.

One video at a time, please. Playlists, channels, and profile pages will not
work. Open the actual video and paste that link.

## Upload a file

No link? On the home page, tap **Upload Video** and pick a file from your
computer.

![The box where you paste a link, with an upload option just below it.](/help/what-you-can-clip/01-paste-or-upload.png)

Most common video files work, like MP4 and MOV, up to 500 MB. There is no time
limit on a file you upload, only the size, so a very long or very sharp video
might need trimming first. Older Windows video files (.wmv) are not supported, so
save or export as MP4 first. And if you filmed in 4K, there is no need to shrink
it yourself. Cliphi sorts that out for you.

## How long can it be

For a pasted link, keep it under about 3 hours. Most podcasts, talks, and streams
fit fine. If yours is longer, just pick the part you want instead of the whole
thing.

Twitch and Kick work a little differently. The video itself can be as long as it
likes. What matters is the section you choose to clip, so pick a stretch under
about 3 hours and you are good.

For a live stream, Cliphi records for about an hour by default while you clip
along.

## What makes a good video to clip

Cliphi works best when there is someone talking. It listens to what is said,
finds the moments worth posting, and writes the captions from the words. So
interviews, podcasts, streams, talks, reactions, and vlogs are right in its
wheelhouse.

A video with no talking, like music on its own or silent footage, gives Cliphi
almost nothing to work with, so it will not be able to make clips from it.

One or two people on camera is ideal. Cliphi keeps whoever is talking in the
frame as it crops to the tall shape.

## When a link won't work

A few videos cannot be reached, and it is usually one of these:

- **It is private.** Only public videos work.
- **It has been taken down.** If the video was removed, there is nothing left to
  clip.
- **It is blocked in some regions.** If a video is walled off by location,
  downloading the file and uploading it here is the way around it.
- **It needs a login, membership, or purchase to watch.** Cliphi usually cannot
  reach those either. Uploading the file directly is the fix.
- **It is a playlist, channel, or profile.** Open the one video you want and
  paste that link instead.

## Using the right video

Clip videos you made or have permission to use. Reposting someone else's video
without their say-so can break the rules on TikTok, YouTube, and the rest, and
can get your clip pulled or your account in trouble.

## What's next

- [Make your first clips](/help/make-your-first-clips)
- [Clip a Twitch stream](/help/clip-a-twitch-stream)
- [A tour of your project page](/help/project-page-tour)
- [Change your caption style](/help/add-captions-to-a-clip)