# What is a LUT?

> A LUT is a file that changes every colour in your video to a new colour in one step. See how it works, a worked example and where to load one.
- **Author**: Marxx
- **Published**: 2026-11-07
- **Category**: Video editing
- **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-glossary/lut

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A LUT (look-up table) is a file that swaps every colour in your video for a new colour in one step. Editors use it to apply a look, such as warm skin tones, with one click.

## How a LUT works

A LUT is a table. For each input colour, it lists the output colour. The editor reads each pixel, looks it up and swaps it.

## A worked example

Say one pixel has a red, green and blue value of 200, 120 and 90. The LUT's table maps it like this.

| | Red | Green | Blue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input | 200 | 120 | 90 |
| Output | 214 | 122 | 96 |

The result is a slightly warmer pixel. The LUT does the same for every colour in every frame. The numbers are made up to show the idea.

## Two kinds of LUT

- **Technical LUT:** converts flat footage, such as log video, to normal colour.
- **Creative LUT:** adds a look, such as warm, cool or faded.

A LUT does not fix a dark or uneven shot. [Correct the colour](/glossary/color-correction) first, then add the look. That second step is [colour grading](/glossary/color-grading).

## Where to load one

In Premiere Pro (now called Adobe Premiere), the current release has a Lumetri Color panel (Adobe Help, checked 3 Nov 2026). Adobe says Premiere 27.0 will retire that panel and keep Lumetri as an effect, edited in the Properties panel. So these steps are for the current release only.

1. Open Window > Lumetri Color and select a clip in the Timeline panel.
2. Go to the Basic Correction tab and open the Input LUT dropdown.
3. Pick a listed LUT, or select Browse to choose a LUT file from your computer.

Marxx's [AI video editor](/features/ai-video-editor) has colour looks and LUTs, and you can import a .cube LUT. We make Marxx.

## FAQ

### What does .cube mean?

It is a common LUT file type. Marxx imports it.

### Is a LUT the same as a filter?

Both change colour in one click. A LUT is a file that stores the colour mapping, so you can reuse it across clips and editors.

### Can one LUT suit all my footage?

Not always. Different lighting needs different corrections, so check each clip.

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- [More Video editing articles](https://marxx.ai/library-glossary/category/video-editing)
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