Color grading is an extremely important step in video post-production.
By adjusting the colors and contrast of your footage, you can make the video look far more cinematic and establish a distinct visual style.

During the color grading process, many editors use LUTs to quickly adjust the colors of a shot.
So, what is a LUT? And how should it be used?
Below are the basic concepts and usage methods for LUTs.

1️⃣ What is a LUT?

LUT stands for Lookup Table, and it is a tool used to map and adjust image colors.

Simply put, a LUT can be understood as:

  • A set of pre-configured color adjustments
  • A way to quickly alter a video's color tone
  • A tool to give footage a specific look or style

For example:

  • Cinematic color tones
  • Warm, vintage styles
  • Cool, modern styles

By applying a LUT, you can instantly give your video footage entirely different visual effects.

2️⃣ Common Uses for LUTs

In video post-production, LUTs are commonly used for the following scenarios:

  • Adjusting the overall color palette of a video
  • Establishing a specific video aesthetic
  • Quickly completing foundational color correction
  • Simulating classic film looks

Therefore, LUTs are extremely widespread in video editing and post-production.

3️⃣ How to Use a LUT?

Using a LUT in editing software is typically very simple.
The basic workflow is usually:

  • Import your video footage
  • Open the color grading tools
  • Apply the LUT file
  • Make detailed sub-adjustments

Common editing software that supports LUTs includes:

  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • DaVinci Resolve
  • Final Cut Pro

Through these tools, you can quickly apply a LUT to your video footage.

4️⃣ What to Keep in Mind When Using LUTs

While LUTs can rapidly adjust an image, there are still a few key points to bear in mind when using them:

  • Different footage requires different LUTs
  • You still need to make micro-adjustments after applying a LUT
  • Avoid over-grading your footage

Appropriate adjustments ensure the footage still looks natural.

5️⃣ LUT Usage Example (Adobe Premiere Pro)

Here is a simple demonstration of the basic steps to apply a LUT in Adobe Premiere Pro.
First, import your video footage into Premiere Pro and drag it onto the timeline.
Then, follow these steps:

  • Click and select the video clip on the timeline
  • Open the Lumetri Color panel
  • Find Input LUT under Basic Correction
  • Click Browse
  • Select your downloaded .cube LUT file

Once applied, the color tone of the video will change instantly.
If further tweaks are needed, you can fine-tune them in Lumetri Color:

  • Exposure
  • Contrast
  • Saturation
  • Temperature

Through these tweaks, you can make the LUT effect feel much more natural.

🎨 LUTs Can Elevate Video Quality

By color grading with LUTs, your video footage can:

  • Have highly consistent colors
  • Feature a distinct and clear style
  • Experience an overall increase in quality

As such, LUTs are incredibly practical tools in video post-production.