How do you apply a LUT in Premiere Pro for color grading?

March 12, 2026 · caitlin

Applying a LUT in Premiere Pro is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your video’s visual appeal. This guide will walk you through the steps to effectively use Look-Up Tables (LUTs) for professional color grading.

Applying a LUT in Premiere Pro: A Step-by-Step Guide

What is a LUT and Why Use It?

A Look-Up Table (LUT) is essentially a file containing data that alters color and gamma information. Think of it as a digital filter or preset for your video footage. LUTs are incredibly useful for quickly achieving a specific aesthetic, matching the color of different cameras, or applying a cinematic look. They save time and ensure consistency across your projects.

Preparing Your Footage for LUT Application

Before you even think about applying a LUT, it’s crucial to ensure your footage is ready. This involves basic color correction. You want to neutralize your image first. This means correcting exposure, white balance, and contrast issues.

Exposure: Ensure your footage is neither too dark nor too bright.
White Balance: Make sure whites appear white and colors are accurate under the lighting conditions.
Contrast: Adjust the difference between the darkest and brightest parts of your image.

Applying a LUT to uncorrected footage can lead to unpredictable and undesirable results. It’s like trying to paint a masterpiece on a dirty canvas.

How to Apply a LUT in Premiere Pro

Premiere Pro offers several ways to apply LUTs, but the most common and flexible method is through the Lumetri Color panel.

Method 1: Using the Lumetri Color Panel

Open the Lumetri Color Panel: Navigate to Window > Lumetri Color in Premiere Pro. If you don’t see it, you might need to enable it.
Select Your Clip: Click on the video clip in your timeline that you want to color grade.
Navigate to the "Creative" Tab: Within the Lumetri Color panel, you’ll find several tabs. Click on the Creative tab.
Choose Your LUT: Scroll down to the "Look" section. You’ll see a dropdown menu labeled "None." Click this menu.
Browse for Your LUT: Select "Browse…" from the dropdown. This will open your computer’s file explorer. Navigate to where you have saved your LUT files.
Apply the LUT: Select the desired LUT file and click "Open." The LUT will be applied to your clip.

You can preview different LUTs by hovering over them in the dropdown menu before committing to one. The "Intensity" slider in the Creative tab also allows you to dial back the effect of the LUT if it’s too strong.

Method 2: Using Lumetri Color with LUTs as.cube Files

Premiere Pro primarily uses .cube files for LUTs. These are industry-standard files. If you’ve downloaded LUTs, they are likely in this format. You can also create your own LUTs from scratch or from existing color grades.

Adjusting LUTs for Optimal Results

Once a LUT is applied, it’s rarely a "set it and forget it" situation. Further adjustments are usually necessary to fine-tune the look.

Fine-Tuning with Lumetri Color Sliders

After applying a LUT, use the other sections of the Lumetri Color panel to make further refinements.

Basic Correction: Make subtle adjustments to exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks.
Curves: Use RGB curves and Hue/Saturation curves for more precise control over specific color ranges and tonal values.
Color Wheels & Match: These tools offer granular control over shadows, midtones, and highlights, allowing you to push or pull colors in specific areas.

Remember, the goal is to integrate the LUT seamlessly with your footage, not to have it overpower the image.

Tips for Effective LUT Usage

Start with Log Footage: LUTs are most effective when applied to footage shot in a flat profile (like Log or Rec.709 with reduced contrast and saturation). This gives the LUT more information to work with.
Don’t Overdo It: A subtle application of a LUT often looks more professional than an extreme one.
Organize Your LUTs: Keep your LUTs neatly organized in folders. Premiere Pro allows you to add custom folders to the Lumetri Color panel’s LUT browser for easier access.
Experiment: Try different LUTs on the same footage to see what works best. Sometimes an unexpected LUT can create a unique and compelling look.
Understand Your LUTs: Know what a specific LUT is designed to do. Some are for creative looks, others for technical conversions (e.g., Log to Rec.709).

Common LUT Formats and Where to Find Them

LUTs come in various formats, but .cube is the most prevalent. You can find LUTs from many sources:

Camera Manufacturer Websites: Some camera companies offer free LUTs designed for their specific camera profiles.
Online Marketplaces: Websites like Adobe Stock, FilterGrade, and Envato Elements offer a vast selection of paid and free LUT packs.
Filmmaker Communities: Many independent filmmakers and colorists share their custom LUTs online.

When to Avoid Using a LUT

While LUTs are powerful tools, they aren’t always the best solution. If your footage is already well-exposed and has accurate colors, a LUT might not be necessary. Sometimes, manual color grading using the Lumetri Color panel’s individual controls provides more precise and nuanced results. Over-reliance on LUTs can also lead to a generic look if everyone is using the same popular presets.

Practical Example: Applying a Cinematic LUT

Imagine you’ve shot a scene with a modern digital camera in its standard profile. The footage looks good but lacks a certain cinematic flair.

You import the footage into Premiere Pro and place it on your timeline.
You open the Lumetri Color panel and select the clip.
In the Creative tab, you browse your downloaded "Cinematic Look" LUT pack.
You select a LUT named "Cinematic Teal Orange."
The image immediately takes on a warmer tone in the highlights and cooler tones in the shadows, a common cinematic look.
You then use the Basic Correction sliders to slightly adjust the exposure and contrast, ensuring the skin tones look natural.
Finally, you might use the Color Wheels to subtly enhance the blues in the shadows or the oranges in the skin tones.

This process transforms a standard shot into something with more visual impact.