The fastest way to add captions in DaVinci Resolve Free

Open your project in DaVinci Resolve Free, go to the Fusion page, and use the built-in text tools to create captions manually, or switch to the Edit page and use the Subtitle Editor to add them faster. The Subtitle Editor lets you type captions directly onto your timeline, set their duration, and position them on screen without switching between pages. For automatic captions, DaVinci Resolve Free does not have a speech-to-text feature built in — you will need to type them yourself or use a separate tool like Otter.ai or Rev to generate a transcript, then paste it into DaVinci Resolve.

The method you choose depends on how many captions you need and whether you want them positioned straightforward or styled with custom fonts and colors. For a short video with a few captions, the Subtitle Editor is fastest. For a video with many captions or complex styling, the Fusion page gives you more control but takes longer.

Key Takeaways

  • The Subtitle Editor on the Edit page is the fastest way to add captions in DaVinci Resolve Free — type your text, set the duration, and it appears on your timeline.
  • DaVinci Resolve Free does not generate captions automatically from speech, so you must type them or use an external transcription service.
  • The Fusion page offers more styling options like custom fonts, colors, and animations, but requires more steps than the Subtitle Editor.
  • Captions stay synced to your video as long as you do not move or trim the clips they are attached to without adjusting the caption timing.

Using the Subtitle Editor for quick captions

Click the Edit page at the top of DaVinci Resolve. In the timeline, position your playhead where you want the first caption to start. Open the Subtitle Editor by clicking Subtitle Editor in the toolbar, or go to Workspace > Subtitle Editor if it does not appear.

The Subtitle Editor window opens below your timeline. Click the plus icon to create a new subtitle. Type your caption text in the text field. The caption will appear on your video preview automatically. Adjust the start and end times using the timeline or by typing the exact timecode in the fields provided. The caption will display at the bottom center of your video by default.

Repeat this process for each caption you need. Once all captions are entered, you can adjust their position on screen by clicking and dragging them in the preview, or by changing their alignment in the subtitle properties panel. Export your video with captions by going to File > Export and choosing your format — captions will render into the video file itself.

Adding styled captions on the Fusion page

The Fusion page gives you control over fonts, colors, shadows, and animations, but it requires more manual work. Click the Fusion page at the top. In the timeline, select the clip where you want to add a caption. Right-click and choose Add Text+, or drag a Text node from the toolbar into the node editor on the left.

A text box appears on your video. Click it and type your caption. In the Inspector panel on the right, you can change the font, size, color, and alignment. To set when the caption appears and disappears, adjust the timeline handles on the Text node — drag the left edge to set the start time and the right edge to set the end time. You can also add effects like drop shadows or outlines by adding nodes to the text effect chain.

For multiple captions, repeat this process for each one. This method is slower than the Subtitle Editor but gives you pixel-perfect control over appearance. Export the same way: File > Export. The captions will be baked into your video file.

Getting captions from speech using external tools

DaVinci Resolve Free cannot transcribe speech to text automatically. Instead, use a free or paid transcription service to create a transcript, then paste it into DaVinci Resolve. Services like Otter.ai (free tier allows 600 minutes per month), Rev (paid per minute), or Google Docs voice typing can generate a transcript from your audio.

Upload your video or audio file to the transcription service and let it generate captions. Most services will give you a transcript with timestamps. Copy the transcript text, then paste it into the Subtitle Editor in DaVinci Resolve. You will need to manually adjust the timing to match your video, since the timestamps from external tools often need fine-tuning.

Alternatively, some transcription services export captions in SRT (SubRip) format, which DaVinci Resolve can import directly. Check whether your transcription service offers SRT export, then import the file into DaVinci Resolve by going to File > Import > Subtitle. This saves you from typing captions manually, though you may still need to adjust timing and wording.

Positioning and timing captions correctly

Captions should appear when the speaker starts talking and disappear when they finish. In the Subtitle Editor, adjust the start and end times by clicking the timecode fields and typing the exact frame or by dragging the caption bar in the timeline. A typical caption should stay on screen for at least two seconds so viewers have time to read it.

To move a caption's position on screen, click and drag it in the preview window. By default, captions sit at the bottom center. You can move them to the top, sides, or anywhere else, though bottom center is standard and easiest for viewers to read. If you have multiple captions that might overlap, stagger their vertical positions so they do not stack on top of each other.

If you trim or move a clip in your timeline after adding captions, the captions will not move with it automatically. You will need to manually adjust their timecode to match the new position of the clip. To avoid this, add all captions after you have finished editing your clips and locked down the timeline.

Exporting video with captions included

Once your captions are complete, go to File > Export to render your video. Choose your format — MP4, MOV, or another video format depending on where you plan to use the video. In the export settings, make sure Burn In Subtitles is toggled on if you want the captions to be permanently part of the video file. If you turn this off, captions will be saved as a separate file that may not play on all platforms.

Set your resolution, frame rate, and bitrate according to your needs. For online video, 1080p at 24 or 30 fps is standard. Click Export and wait for the render to finish. The time this takes depends on your video length and your computer's speed — a five-minute video typically takes 10 to 30 minutes to export on a mid-range machine.

After export, play the video in a media player to confirm the captions appear correctly and are timed to the speech. If timing is off, go back to DaVinci Resolve, adjust the caption timecode, and export again.

Common issues and how to fix them

Captions are cut off at the edges: Your text box may be positioned outside the safe area. In the Subtitle Editor or Fusion page, drag the caption closer to the center of the screen. You can also reduce the font size if the text is too wide.

Captions do not appear in the exported video: Make sure Burn In Subtitles is enabled in the export settings. If you used the Subtitle Editor, also confirm that the captions are on a track that is set to export. In the Subtitle Editor, check that each caption has a start and end time — captions with zero duration will not render.

Captions are out of sync with speech: Adjust the start and end times in the Subtitle Editor. Play through the video and pause at the moment the speaker begins talking, then note the timecode and update the caption's start time to match. Repeat for the end time when the speaker finishes the sentence.

Text is too small or hard to read: Increase the font size in the Inspector panel (Fusion page) or in the Subtitle Editor properties. Use a sans-serif font like Arial or Helvetica for clarity. Add a drop shadow or outline to make the text stand out against the background of your video.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import captions from another video editor?

Yes, if they are in SRT format. Go to File > Import > Subtitle and select your SRT file. DaVinci Resolve will load the captions into the Subtitle Editor with their timings intact. You may need to adjust timing or wording to match your specific video.

Do I need to pay for DaVinci Resolve to add captions?

No. The free version of DaVinci Resolve includes the Subtitle Editor and Fusion text tools, which are all you need to add captions. The paid version (DaVinci Resolve Studio) adds automatic speech-to-text, but you can create captions without it.

What font should I use for captions?

Sans-serif fonts like Arial, Helvetica, or Roboto are easiest to read on screen. Avoid thin or decorative fonts that become hard to read at smaller sizes. Use white text with a black outline or drop shadow so captions show up against any background in your video.

How do I make captions appear in multiple languages?

Create separate caption tracks for each language in the Subtitle Editor. You can toggle between them during playback, or export multiple versions of your video — one with English captions, one with Spanish, and so on. DaVinci Resolve does not overlay multiple languages at once in the free version.

Can I animate captions so they fade in and out?

Yes, but only on the Fusion page. Add a Text node, then add an Opacity node after it. Keyframe the opacity to fade in at the start of the caption and fade out at the end. This takes more time than the Subtitle Editor but gives you smooth transitions instead of hard cuts.