Export your finished video in three steps

To export a video from DaVinci Resolve, go to File > Export > Media, choose your format and quality settings, pick a folder to save it in, and click Export. The whole process takes a few minutes to set up, though the actual file creation happens in the background and can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on your video length and the quality you choose.

DaVinci Resolve gives you control over what format your video ends up in — MP4 for sharing online, MOV for editing in other programs, ProRes for professional work. Most people start with MP4 because it plays on any device and keeps file sizes reasonable. The steps below walk you through each decision you'll make and explain why it matters.

Key Takeaways

  • The Export window opens from File > Export > Media, and this is where you control format, resolution, frame rate, and quality.
  • MP4 with H.264 codec is the right choice for social media, email, or general sharing because it works everywhere and stays small.
  • ProRes and DNxHD formats are larger but preserve more detail, so use them only if you plan to edit the file again or need broadcast quality.
  • The quality slider (called Constant Rate Factor or bitrate, depending on format) is where you trade file size against sharpness — higher numbers mean bigger files but clearer video.
  • Export happens in the background; you can keep working in DaVinci Resolve while the file renders, but closing the program stops the export.

Opening the Export window and choosing your format

Click File in the top menu, then Export, then Media. A new window opens showing your timeline preview on the left and export settings on the right. At the top of the settings panel, you'll see a dropdown that says something like "H.264" or "ProRes 422" — this is your codec, which is the language your video file speaks.

For most people, H.264 is the right choice. It creates MP4 files that play on phones, computers, tablets, and web browsers. File sizes stay small — a five-minute video at good quality is usually 100 to 300 megabytes. If you're uploading to YouTube, Instagram, or sending via email, H.264 is what you want.

If you plan to edit this file again in DaVinci Resolve or another professional program, or if you're delivering to a broadcast station, choose ProRes 422 or ProRes 422 HQ instead. These formats keep much more visual information, so the file is larger (a five-minute video can be 1 to 3 gigabytes), but you won't lose quality if you edit it again. DNxHD is another professional option that works the same way.

Setting resolution and frame rate

Below the codec dropdown, you'll see fields for Resolution (like 1920x1080) and Frame Rate (like 24, 30, or 60). In most cases, leave these alone — DaVinci Resolve fills them in based on your timeline settings, and changing them usually makes your video look worse, not better.

The one exception: if your timeline is 4K (3840x2160) but you only need a 1080p file for YouTube, you can change the resolution down. This makes the file smaller and the export faster. Just type the new resolution in the field. If you're unsure, 1920x1080 works for almost everything.

Frame rate should match what you shot at. If you filmed at 30 frames per second, export at 30. If you filmed at 60 and want slow motion, keep it at 60. Changing frame rate doesn't speed up or slow down your video — it just wastes processing time.

Adjusting quality and file size

For H.264 files, look for a slider or number field labeled Constant Rate Factor or Bitrate. This controls how much information gets packed into each second of video. Higher numbers mean bigger files and sharper video; lower numbers mean smaller files and softer video.

For H.264, a Constant Rate Factor of 18 to 20 looks very good and keeps file sizes reasonable. If you're uploading to social media and file size matters, try 22 or 23. If you're archiving something you care about and storage space isn't a problem, go down to 16 or 17. The difference is visible but not dramatic — test with a short clip first if you're unsure.

For ProRes or DNxHD, you usually don't adjust quality — the format itself controls it. Just pick the version (ProRes 422 vs. 422 HQ) and move on.

Choosing where to save your file

At the bottom of the Export window, you'll see a folder icon and a file path. Click the folder icon to pick where you want the file to land. Choose a folder you can find later — your Desktop or a dedicated "Exports" folder both work well. The filename field below it shows what your file will be called; you can change it to anything you want, but DaVinci Resolve will add the right file extension automatically.

Make sure you have enough free space on your drive. A five-minute 1080p H.264 video takes about 200 megabytes. A five-minute 4K ProRes file takes 2 to 3 gigabytes. If you're exporting something long, check your drive space first — if the export runs out of space halfway through, you'll have a broken file you have to delete and start over.

Starting the export and what happens next

Once your settings are correct, click the blue Export button at the bottom right. A progress window appears showing how much of the file has been created. The time remaining estimate is usually accurate within 20 percent, but it depends on your computer speed and how complex your timeline is (lots of effects and color grading take longer).

While the export runs, you can keep working in DaVinci Resolve — edit other projects, adjust clips, whatever you want. The export happens in the background. However, if you close DaVinci Resolve completely, the export stops and you'll have to start over. If you need to pause the export, click the pause button in the progress window; you can resume it later.

When the export finishes, the progress window closes and your file is ready. Navigate to the folder you chose and you'll find your video file there, ready to upload, share, or edit further.

Common export mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is exporting at the wrong resolution. If your timeline is 1080p but you export at 4K, you're just making a bigger file with no extra detail. If your timeline is 4K and you export at 1080p, your video will look softer than it should. Check your timeline resolution (it's shown in the top right of the Edit page) and match it in the Export window.

The second mistake is choosing the wrong codec for your use case. If you export as ProRes and try to email it, the file is so large it won't send. If you export as H.264 and then try to edit it again in DaVinci Resolve, you'll lose quality with every change. Think about what you're doing with the file after export, then pick the codec that matches.

The third mistake is exporting with effects or color grading that don't look right. Always play through your timeline in DaVinci Resolve before you export. If something looks wrong on your screen, it will look wrong in the exported file. Fix it first, then export.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does export usually take?

A five-minute 1080p H.264 video typically takes 5 to 15 minutes on a modern computer. 4K takes longer — usually 20 to 45 minutes. ProRes is faster than H.264 because it does less compression. The exact time depends on your computer's processor, how many effects are in your timeline, and how much color grading you've done. Complex timelines with lots of effects can take two to three times longer.

Can I export just part of my timeline?

Yes. In the Export window, look for Timeline Range or In/Out settings. You can set a start point and end point, and only that section will export. Alternatively, select the clips you want in your timeline, right-click, and choose Export Selected Clips — this exports each clip as a separate file.

What if my exported video looks different from what I see in DaVinci Resolve?

This usually means your monitor settings don't match your export settings. Check that your timeline color space (in Project Settings) matches your export color space. Also make sure you're not using a viewing LUT that only applies to your monitor — those don't export with the file. If the video is too dark or too bright, adjust your timeline color correction, not your monitor brightness.

Should I export as MP4 or MOV?

Both use the same H.264 codec and create the same quality file. MP4 plays on more devices and is smaller, so use it for sharing. MOV is the Apple format and works better if you're editing on a Mac or sending to other Mac users. For most people, MP4 is the safer choice.

Can I export multiple videos at once?

DaVinci Resolve doesn't have a built-in batch export feature in the free version. You have to export one timeline at a time. If you have many videos to export, you can start one, let it run in the background, then open a second project and start another export — but only one export runs at a time, so the second one waits for the first to finish.