Why does Clipchamp export videos with HUGE file sizes, even at 480p?

Clipchamp re-encodes the video when exporting, rather than just removing the trimmed section and preserving the original compression. Its output bitrate can therefore be higher than the source, even at 480p. A 2.6 GB file lasting roughly an hour averages about 5.8 Mbps, including audio.

Clipchamp’s standard export options don’t give you a manual bitrate or target-file-size control. Choosing 480p lowers the resolution, but doesn’t guarantee a smaller file.

Since you only need a trim, LosslessCut is a better fit: open the original, mark the section you want to keep, and export using its lossless mode. It avoids re-encoding, so the size should roughly follow the retained duration. The trade-off is that cuts may be limited to nearby keyframes.

If you need exact cuts and a smaller output, compress the edited export with HandBrake. Use an average bitrate of around 1,000–1,500 kbps for a starting 480p test, plus audio, and preview the quality. At 1,500 kbps video plus 128 kbps audio, an hour is roughly 730 MB.