How to Set the Default Duration When Dropping an Image onto the Timeline in Premiere Pro

In Premiere Pro, you can change the default duration (display time) for still images when dropping them onto the timeline. However, there are times when the duration may not update as expected, even after adjusting the settings. This article will explain how to resolve that issue.

The key point is that in Premiere Pro, changes to the default duration in the preferences only apply to newly imported media.

Steps to Set the Default Duration

1. Open Premiere Pro.
2. Go to [Edit] (Windows) or [Premiere Pro] (Mac), then choose [Preferences] → [Timeline].
   ----- On Windows: "Edit" → "Preferences" → "Timeline"
   ----- On Mac: "Premiere Pro" → "Preferences" → "Timeline"
3. Find the “Still Image Default Duration” setting. This is measured in frames. For example, if your project runs at 30 frames per second, setting it to 150 frames will give you a 5-second display time.
4. Set the default duration in frames and click “OK” to save the changes.

What to Do When the Duration Doesn't Change

1. Import New Images After Changing the Settings

In Premiere Pro, the default duration setting only applies to newly imported media. It won’t affect images already imported, so you’ll need to re-import them after adjusting the settings.

2. Check the Project's Frame Rate

The duration is tied to the frame rate of your project. For example, in a 30fps project, setting 150 frames will give you a 5-second display time. If the frame rate differs, the duration may not align with your expectations, so double-check your project settings.