How to add subtitles in DaVinci Resolve

In this post, we’ll walk you through how to add DaVinci Resolve subtitles with the free and Studio version, along with other options for creating subtitles.
How to add subtitles in DaVinci Resolve

Adding subtitles or captions in DaVinci Resolve helps you reach a larger audience with your videos, including those with hearing impairments. And with 41% of Americans preferring subtitles when watching content online, learning how to add them to your projects is well worth the time. 

In this post, we’ll walk you through how to add DaVinci Resolve subtitles with the free and Studio version, along with other options for creating subtitles.

How to add subtitles in DaVinci Resolve

If you have the free version of DaVinci Resolve, you can manually add subtitles to your footage using subtitle tracks. While it’s also possible to add subtitles using the text tool, we don’t recommend it as using subtitle tracks makes the process much simpler, easier, and enjoyable.

If you’re looking for a way to automatically generate subtitles, that’s only available in DaVinci Resolve Studio, the paid version of the software. 

Let’s take a closer look.

How to add subtitles manually

Here’s how you can add subtitles in DaVinci Resolve in just six steps:

1. Navigate to the Edit workspace

In the Edit workspace, select the Effects tab.

A screenshot of the DaVinci Resolve Edit workspace showing where to select the Effects tab.

2. Add a subtitle track

From the Effects window, select Titles and then scroll to the bottom of the list. Click and drag Subtitle into the subtitle track just above your timeline.

A screenshot of DaVinci Resolve's timeline showing where to find the Subtitle option.

Alternatively, right-click above your Timeline and select Add Subtitle Track. Move your playhead to where you want the subtitle to begin, then right-click the subtitle track and select Add Track.

A screenshot of DaVinci Resolve's timeline showing how to right-click and select Add Subtitle Track.

3. Add your subtitle text

Select the Subtitle, then navigate to the Inspector tab. Under “Caption”, type the dialog that matches your current frame.

A screenshot of the Inspector panel showing where to type your subtitle content.

4. Adjust the length of your subtitle track

Change the length of the subtitle to sync it with the audio track. To do so, click and drag from the right-hand edge of the subtitle track until it lines up with where the audio begins and ends.

A screenshot showing how to click and drag the edge of your subtitle track to change its length and match it with the audio.

5. Repeat for the rest of your subtitles

In the Inspector window, select Add New to add another subtitle where your first one finishes. Repeat the steps above until you have manually added subtitles to your entire video.

A screenshot of DaVinci Resolve's Inspector panel showing where the "Add New" button is located.

6. Stylize your subtitles

With your captions included, you can now customize them so that they’re legible and match your desired style. In the Inspector window, select the Track tab. Here, you can change the font, stroke, and position. You can also add effects like background colors or drop shadows to make your subtitles stand out.

A screenshot of the "Track" tab, showing some of the customization options available for subtitles in DaVinci Resolve.

Note: Unfortunately, as of DaVinci Resolve 19, there are no keyboard shortcuts to help with editing subtitles. By default, adding subtitles and switching between them still requires using your mouse.

However, you can add your DaVinci Resolve “add subtitles” keyboard shortcut for adding by pressing Ctrl + Alt + K, finding the “Add Subtitle” option, and adding a custom keystroke.

A screenshot of DaVinci Resolve's Keyboard Customization window showing how to add a custom keystroke to the "Add Subtitle" option.

How to create subtitles from audio automatically (Studio exclusive)

If you own the Studio version of DaVinci Resolve, you can use the automatic subtitle generation feature. This feature uses voice recognition technology to automatically process your audio and create subtitles, saving you a ton of time.

1. Create your subtitles

Select the Timeline drop-down menu and choose Create Subtitles from Audio. In the pop-up window, choose your Language, Caption Preset, and the maximum number of characters that appear per line. Press Create then wait for the process to complete. Depending on your system, this could take anywhere from a few seconds to multiple minutes.

2. Stylize your subtitles

Select your subtitle track, then choose the Inspector panel. Customize your font, outlines, and effects until you achieve the look you want for your subtitles.

Third-party options for creating auto-captions or subtitles

As of writing this article, the best DaVinci Resolve plugin available for creating automatic subtitles in DaVinci Resolve is an extension from Simon Says. It can automatically transcribe your clips and color code them per speaker, allowing you to add the transcript as subtitles or captions.

This free DaVinci Resolve auto-caption extension is available for Mac and Windows. However, it’s only available for DaVinci Resolve on Mac—Windows users will require Resolve Studio. As of writing this article, there aren’t any plugins for auto-captions that work with the free version on Windows.

To use the Simon Says extension, you’ll first need to download it from the official website and install it on your PC. Once installed, press Workspace > Scripts > Simon Says. Choose 2 Subtitle-Caption Timeline and wait for the project file to export. Finally, select Transcribe, wait for the transcription to complete, and then drag it into your Subtitle Track.

A screenshot of the Simon Says extension and how to select 2 Subtitle-Caption Timeline. Source: Simon Says AI

Alternatively, you can use third-party software to generate an SRT subtitle file and then import that file into Resolve. Once you have the file, it’s as simple as dropping it into your timeline panel. It will automatically become a subtitle track.

Final thoughts

Manually adding subtitles to DaVinci Resolve videos can be a time-consuming process, so it’s worth exploring third-party options or considering upgrading to the paid version. Learn how to do even more in Resolve with our in-depth tutorials—find out everything from the basics of how to use DaVinci to in-depth color grading tips.

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