DaVinci Resolve 18.5 and later have built-in auto captions
Auto captions arrived in DaVinci Resolve 18.5, released in November 2023. This feature uses speech recognition to generate captions automatically from your video's audio track — you do not have to type them manually or use a separate tool. The feature works in both the free and Studio versions, though the Studio version processes captions faster.
If you are running version 18.0 through 18.4, you do not have auto captions built in. You would need to upgrade to 18.5 or later, or use an external captioning tool. Version 19 and all later releases also include the feature.
The auto captions tool recognizes speech in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean. It generates a caption file that you can edit, adjust timing on, or export to use elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- Auto captions are available in DaVinci Resolve 18.5 and all versions released after it, including version 19 and later.
- Both the free and Studio versions include auto captions, but Studio processes them faster on longer videos.
- The feature recognizes speech in ten languages and creates an editable caption file you can adjust before export.
- If you have version 18.4 or earlier, you need to update DaVinci Resolve to access auto captions.
How to check which version you have
Open DaVinci Resolve and look at the top of the window. On Windows and Linux, click Help in the menu bar, then select About DaVinci Resolve. On Mac, click DaVinci Resolve in the menu bar, then select About DaVinci Resolve. A window will appear showing your exact version number.
If the version number starts with 18.5, 19, 20, or higher, you have auto captions. If it shows 18.0, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, or 18.4, you will need to update.
Updating to get auto captions
Go to the DaVinci Resolve read page at blackmagicdesign.com. read the installer for your operating system — Windows, Mac, or Linux. Run the installer and follow the prompts. Your existing projects and settings will remain intact after the update.
The free version of DaVinci Resolve 18.5 or later includes auto captions at no cost. You do not need to purchase the Studio version to use the feature, though Studio users will see faster processing on videos longer than about 30 minutes.
Where to find auto captions once you have the right version
Open a project with video and audio. In the Edit page, select the video clip in the timeline. Go to the Captions panel on the right side of the screen. Click the + button to add a new caption track, then select Speech to Text. DaVinci Resolve will scan your audio and generate captions automatically.
The process takes a few minutes depending on your video length and computer speed. Once finished, you can click on each caption to edit the text, adjust the timing, or delete captions you do not want. You can also change the caption style, size, and position before exporting.
What auto captions can and cannot do
Auto captions work best with clear speech and minimal background noise. If your audio is muffled, has heavy accents, or includes a lot of music or sound effects, the captions may contain errors. You should always review and correct them before sharing your video.
The feature does not automatically detect which language is spoken — you choose the language before processing. If your video has multiple languages, you will need to run the speech-to-text tool separately for each language section, or manually edit the captions afterward.
Exporting captions after you create them
Once your captions are complete, you can export them as a separate file or burn them into the video itself. Right-click the caption track in the timeline and select Export. You can save as SRT, VTT, or other common caption formats that work with YouTube, social media, or other video platforms.
If you want the captions visible in the final video file, stay in the Deliver page, set your export format, and make sure the caption track is set to Burn In before you render. This embeds the captions directly into the video so they appear on any device that plays it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the paid Studio version to use auto captions?
No. Auto captions are included in the free version of DaVinci Resolve 18.5 and later. The Studio version processes captions faster on longer videos, but both versions have the feature.
What languages does auto captions support?
DaVinci Resolve recognizes English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean. You select the language before running speech-to-text.
Can I use auto captions if my audio has background music or noise?
Auto captions will try, but accuracy drops when there is heavy background noise, music, or overlapping voices. Always review and correct the captions before using them in a final video.
How long does it take to generate captions for a video?
Processing time depends on video length and your computer's speed. A 10-minute video typically takes 5 to 15 minutes. Longer videos take proportionally longer, and Studio version users see faster processing than free version users.
Can I export captions as a separate file?
Yes. Right-click the caption track and select Export. You can save as SRT, VTT, or other formats compatible with YouTube, social media platforms, and video players.