How do I apply a LUT in Premiere Pro to change video levels?

March 7, 2026 · caitlin

Applying a LUT in Premiere Pro is a straightforward process that can dramatically enhance your video’s look and feel. This guide will walk you through exactly how to import and use Look-Up Tables (LUTs) to color grade your footage effectively.

What is a LUT and Why Use One in Premiere Pro?

A Look-Up Table (LUT) is essentially a file that contains data for color transformation. Think of it as a preset for color grading. When you apply a LUT to your video footage in Premiere Pro, it alters the color and contrast values of your image to achieve a specific aesthetic.

Understanding the Power of LUTs for Video

LUTs are incredibly useful for several reasons. They allow for quick and consistent color grading, saving you significant time compared to manual adjustments. Whether you want to achieve a cinematic film look, a vintage vibe, or a specific mood, there’s likely a LUT for it.

Consistency: Apply the same look across multiple clips.
Efficiency: Achieve complex color grades rapidly.
Creativity: Explore diverse visual styles easily.

Common LUT Applications

You’ll often see LUTs used to:

Convert Log footage to a standard color space (e.g., Rec. 709).
Emulate the look of specific film stocks.
Create stylized looks like "teal and orange."
Match colors between different cameras.

How to Apply a LUT in Premiere Pro: Step-by-Step

Applying a LUT in Premiere Pro involves a few key steps within the Lumetri Color panel. This panel is your central hub for all color correction and grading tasks.

Step 1: Importing Your LUTs

Before you can use a LUT, you need to import it into Premiere Pro.

Open the Lumetri Color panel. You can find this under Window > Lumetri Color.
Navigate to the Creative tab within the Lumetri Color panel.
Under the Look dropdown menu, click on Browse.
A file explorer window will open. Locate your LUT file(s) on your computer.
Select the LUT you wish to apply and click Open. The LUT will now appear in the Look dropdown list.

Pro Tip: For easier access, you can place your custom LUTs in Premiere Pro’s designated LUT folder. This makes them permanently available in the dropdown menu without needing to browse each time.

Step 2: Applying the LUT to Your Clip

Once imported, applying a LUT is as simple as selecting it.

Select the video clip you want to color grade in your Premiere Pro timeline.
Open the Lumetri Color panel (Window > Lumetri Color).
Go to the Creative tab.
In the Look section, click the dropdown menu.
Choose the LUT you previously browsed or imported. Your clip will immediately update with the LUT’s color transformation.

Step 3: Adjusting LUT Intensity

Most LUTs are applied at 100% intensity by default. However, you often get a more natural and refined look by reducing this.

Within the Creative tab of the Lumetri Color panel, locate the Intensity slider below the Look dropdown.
Drag the Intensity slider to the left to decrease the effect of the LUT. Aim for a subtle enhancement rather than an overpowering look.

Experimentation is Key: Start with 100% and gradually decrease the intensity until the look feels right for your footage. Sometimes, a LUT at 50% or 70% can be far more effective.

Advanced LUT Techniques and Considerations

While applying a LUT is simple, mastering its use involves understanding its place in your workflow and how to fine-tune the results.

Using LUTs with Basic Correction

It’s crucial to perform basic color correction before applying a LUT. This means ensuring your white balance is accurate and your exposure is balanced. Applying a LUT to improperly corrected footage can lead to undesirable results or amplified errors.

Basic Correction: Use the Basic Correction tab in Lumetri Color to adjust exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks.
White Balance: Ensure your white balance is correct.
Apply LUT: Then, move to the Creative tab to apply your chosen LUT.
Fine-tune: Use the Intensity slider and other Lumetri controls to refine the look.

When to Use LUTs vs. Manual Grading

LUTs are fantastic for speed and consistency, especially for achieving specific cinematic styles or converting Log footage. However, for highly nuanced or unique looks, manual color grading using the various wheels and sliders in Lumetri Color offers greater control.

Scenario	Best Approach	Why
Log to Rec. 709 Conversion	Apply a specific Log-to-Rec. 709 LUT	Ensures accurate color space transformation.
Emulating Film Stock	Use a film emulation LUT	Captures the specific color science and grain of that stock.
Quick Stylized Look	Apply a creative LUT and adjust intensity	Fast way to achieve a popular aesthetic.
Unique, Custom Look	Manual grading with Lumetri Color wheels	Provides granular control over every aspect of the image.
Matching Shots from Different Cameras	Use a LUT or manual grading, then match	LUTs can help bridge gaps, but manual tweaks are often necessary.

Understanding Different LUT Formats

You’ll encounter LUTs in various file formats, most commonly .cube and .look. Premiere Pro supports both.

.CUBE: A widely used, universal format.
.LOOK: A Premiere Pro-specific format that can also store other Lumetri settings.

Ensure the LUTs you download are compatible with Premiere Pro. Many professional LUT packages are available from various online creators.