JKL editing explained
J plays backwards, K stops and L plays forwards. Pressing J or L again speeds playback up, and holding K with J or L plays slowly or steps a frame. It works the same way in Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve and Avid.
What JKL editing is
JKL is a way of controlling playback with three keys under your right hand. It replaces dragging the playhead with the mouse, which is slow and imprecise. Every professional editor uses it, and every editing course teaches it in the first week. The convention was popularised by Avid Media Composer and every major editor now follows it.
| Press | What happens |
|---|---|
| L | Play forwards at normal speed. |
| L L | Play forwards faster. Each extra press speeds up again. |
| J | Play backwards. Press again to rewind faster. |
| K | Stop. |
| Hold K, tap L or J | Step forwards or backwards one frame. |
| Hold K and L or J | Play slowly forwards or backwards. Good for finding an exact frame. |
How it differs between editors
Final Cut Pro
Apple documents it precisely: pressing J or L twice doubles the speed, up to 32 times normal speed. Holding K and pressing J or L moves one frame at a time; holding K and J or L together plays at half speed. Final Cut Pro also has skimming (toggle with S), which previews footage as you move the pointer, a different habit from JKL.
Premiere Pro
J, K and L are Shuttle Left, Stop and Shuttle Right. Tapping L repeatedly increases speed. Premiere also has Shuttle Slow Left and Right on Shift-J and Shift-L, which start very slowly and speed up with each press, useful for checking lip sync.
DaVinci Resolve
J, K and L work the same way on the Edit and Cut pages. Pressing L twice doubles speed; K with J or L plays slowly. Resolve's Dynamic Trim mode (W) changes what JKL does: instead of moving the playhead, J and L trim the selected edit point while you watch it play. That's one of the most powerful trimming techniques in any editor.
Why it matters
JKL is the first habit that separates editors from people who use editing software. With J, K and L under one hand and I and O close by, you can review footage, find the moment, mark it and move on without your eyes leaving the viewer. Combined with three-point editing, it's the basis of fast, keyboard-led editing.
How to practise
- Rest your right hand on J, K and L and keep it there for a whole session.
- Review a long clip using only L, LL and K. Find a moment, then step to the exact frame with K and J.
- Mark it with I and O without moving your hand off the keys.
The playback sections of the free shortcut references for Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve list the related keys.
Frequently asked questions
What does JKL mean in video editing?+
JKL refers to the three keys used to control playback: J plays backwards, K stops and L plays forwards. Pressing J or L repeatedly increases speed. It's supported by Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve and Avid Media Composer.
How do I play at double speed with JKL?+
Press L twice. In Final Cut Pro each further press doubles the speed again, up to 32 times. Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve also speed up with repeated presses of L or J.
How do I go frame by frame with JKL?+
Hold K and tap J or L to move one frame backwards or forwards. The left and right arrow keys also step one frame in all three editors.
Can I use JKL to trim?+
Yes. In DaVinci Resolve, Dynamic Trim mode (W) makes J, K and L trim the selected edit while it plays. Premiere Pro's trim mode also lets you trim with J, K and L while the edit plays.
Written by Philip Brumpton, a product designer who builds KeyCut. Last checked October 2026.
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