Change clip speed and duration using the Rate Stretch tool

Last updated on Jun 23, 2025

Learn how to quickly adjust the speed and duration of clips in your Premiere Pro timeline using the Rate Stretch tool.

Adobe Premiere Pro deeplink

Try the app
Follow along with any project to learn how to use the Rate Stretch tool to retime clips.

The Rate Stretch Tool is a quick and easy tool to change both the speed and duration of the clip simultaneously. The audio portion remains unchanged. For more controls and options, use the Clip speed/duration dialog box.

Before you begin

Import your media into a Premiere Pro project and add clips to the timeline.

  1. Select the Rate Stretch Tool from the Tools panel or press R on your keyboard.

  2. In the Timeline panel, hover over either edge of the clip you want to modify.

  3. Select and drag the edge of the clip:

    • Drag outward to slow down the clip and increase its duration.
    • Drag inward to speed up the clip and decrease its duration.

    As you drag, a tooltip displays the percentage of the original speed.

  4. Release the mouse button when you've reached the desired speed/duration.

The playback speed of the clip changes, and its duration expands or contracts to fill the new timeline space.