Add subtitles in DaVinci Resolve

Step by step

1. Upload your video or audio to HappyScribe (start with the free trial) and pick the spoken language. More than 150 languages are supported.
2. Let the AI generate your subtitles, usually in a few minutes, then fix names, timing and line breaks in the online subtitle editor.
3. Export the subtitles as SRT (SubRip). For other languages, translate them first and export one SRT file per language.
4. In DaVinci Resolve, open your project and choose File > Import > Subtitle, then select the SRT file. It appears in the Media Pool as a subtitle clip.
5. Drag the subtitle clip onto the timeline. Resolve places it on a subtitle track above your video tracks, where you can trim and move it like any other clip.
6. Select the subtitle track and adjust font, color, size and position in the Inspector.

Subtitle formats DaVinci Resolve accepts

Blackmagic Design lists timed text TTML, SRT, XML and embedded MXF/IMF subtitles for import. SRT is the one to export from HappyScribe: it keeps every timecode and imports cleanly into Resolve. An SRT file stores no styling, so you set the look of your captions in Resolve.

Can DaVinci Resolve generate or translate subtitles?

DaVinci Resolve Studio, the paid version, can create subtitles from speech with Create Subtitles from Audio in the Timeline menu. The free version can't. Blackmagic's documentation for Resolve 20 and 21 doesn't describe a built-in subtitle translation feature. HappyScribe covers both cases: it works with the free version, transcribes 150+ languages and translates subtitles into 80+ languages, so each language can sit on its own subtitle track. Try it with the AI subtitle generator.

Subtitle track or burned-in subtitles?

On the Deliver page, open Subtitle Settings at the bottom of the Video settings and turn on Export Subtitle. Export them as a separate file for YouTube, Vimeo or accessibility needs: viewers can switch captions on and off, and you can upload several languages. Choose Burn into video for Instagram, TikTok or any player without caption support, since the text becomes part of the picture. You can also skip that step and download your video with burned-in subtitles straight from HappyScribe.

DaVinci Resolve subtitles: FAQ

How do I import an SRT file into DaVinci Resolve?

Choose File > Import > Subtitle, select the SRT file, then drag it from the Media Pool onto the timeline. Resolve puts it on a subtitle track that you can edit and style.

Does the free version of DaVinci Resolve have auto captions?

No, automatic subtitles from audio are a DaVinci Resolve Studio feature. With the free version, generate the subtitles in HappyScribe and import the SRT file.

Can DaVinci Resolve translate subtitles automatically?

Not according to Blackmagic's documentation for Resolve 20 and 21. Translate your subtitles in HappyScribe into 80+ languages, export one SRT per language and import each onto its own subtitle track.

Why are my imported subtitles out of sync?

Most often the video was edited after the subtitles were made. Generate the subtitles from your final export, or move the subtitle clip so its first cue lines up with the first line of dialogue. The same workflow works in Final Cut Pro.