Descript’s Shorten word gaps feature helps you automatically tighten long pauses in your script. It’s a fast way to clean up silences between words—without manual timeline edits.
This article covers how to run the tool, adjust timing settings, review results, and explore advanced options.
Usage note
On current plans, this feature uses AI Credits. Learn more about tracking your Media Minutes and AI Credits.
Legacy and Sunset plans track usage differently. See our Understanding your Legacy and Sunset plan guide for details.
Shorten word gaps
- Open the AI Tools panel on the right-hand side of your screen and select Shorten word gaps.
AI Tools panel showing the Shorten word gaps option. - Once the action starts, the filler words search menu will appear at the top of the script editor.
- Use the duration field to define what qualifies as a gap (e.g. 750ms).
- Use the second field to set a new target length (e.g. 200ms).
Customize gap duration and target timing in the Search panel. - Navigate through results using the search panel arrows, or click results in the Properties panel.
- Click Shorten to apply changes to the selected gap.
- Click Shorten all to apply changes to all gaps.
Use Shorten or Shorten all to apply changes.
Want to adjust word gaps manually while editing? You can also shorten them directly in the script editor or use the wordbar.
Advanced settings
You can customize the Shorten word gaps experience by clicking the Settings icon and adjusting the following preferences:
- Auto-advance – Automatically move to the next result after shortening a gap.
- Preview results – Automatically play back the surrounding audio when a result is selected.