How to Make a Split Screen Effect in Premiere Pro
Want to show more than one moment on screen without cutting back and forth? A split screen effect lets you do exactly that, and it’s easier to pull off than it looks. With a few layers, some basic masking, and quick positioning in Premiere Pro, you can build a clean, flexible layout that holds multiple clips in a single frame. It adds structure, contrast, and a bit of style without cluttering up your timeline.
Duplicate your clip and apply the effect
Start by stacking three layers, one main clip and two supporting ones. These can be different clips, or just duplicates of the same footage if you're going for a mirrored look. The main clip will sit on top and carry the mask effect, while the others fill the frame underneath.
Do this:
- Drop your main clip into the timeline
- Add two more clips below it (duplicates or different footage)
- On the top layer, apply the Radial Wipe effect twice
Adjust the wipes to define the slice
Each instance of the Radial Wipe effect controls part of the mask on the top layer. By adjusting both wipes, you can create a shaped slice that reveals the layers below. You don’t need to make sides match perfectly, just shape it in a way that suits the style you want to achieve.
Do this:
- In the Effect Controls panel, adjust the Transition Completion and Wipe Angle for both effects
- Tweak them until you're happy with the visible slice of the screen
Position the layers for a clean layout
With the top clip masked, now you can position the lower clips to fill the remaining space. You’re basically deciding where each piece of the frame lives, top, bottom, left, right, or angled. This gives you room to experiment and shape the split any way you like.
Do this:
- Select each lower clip
- Go to Effect Controls → Motion → Position
- Shift each layer so it sits above or below the masked section
Add a divider line for polish
To make the separation more visible, draw a line between the clips using the pen tool. It’s a small touch that helps define the edges and adds a bit of visual clarity. Just make sure to turn off the fill and enable stroke so it reads as a line.
Do this:
- Select the Pen Tool from the toolbar
- Draw a line along the edge of the mask
- In the Essential Graphics panel, enable Stroke and disable Fill
There you go, your custom split screen in Premiere Pro is done
This method gives you a lot of flexibility. You can change the shape, swap the clips, or turn it into a diagonal frame split with a few quick adjustments. It’s easy to recreate and tweak depending on the vibe you want.
Finish your edit with polished, ready-made visuals
Once your split screen is in place, it’s the perfect time to add a few branded touches—a quick intro, a clean lower third, or an animated outro to wrap it up. With 17,100+ customizable motion graphics templates on Videobolt, you don’t have to build them from scratch. Everything is optimized, easy to tweak, and ready to export—no need to mess with keyframes or complicated settings.