DaVinci Resolve is a leading video editing software in the movies and TV production industry.
But does DaVinci Resolve offer automatic captioning? Can you import existing subtitle files? And how can you speed up the process with AI-powered tools?
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about subtitles in DaVinci Resolve
If you’re using DaVinci Resolve, you might be wondering if it offers automatic captioning capabilities.
The answer is yes, DaVinci Resolve includes a feature for auto captions, snce DaVinci Resolve Studio 18.5.
This functionality is powered by DaVinci Resolve’s integrated speech-to-text technology, which analyzes the audio in your video to create accurate transcriptions. From these transcriptions, you can easily generate subtitles.
DaVinci Resolve’s transcription tool is exclusive to Resolve Studio, the paid version of the software. For users of the free version, manual subtitling remains an option, or you can consider third-party tools to streamline the process. We'll talk about this alternative later in the article.
If you're using DaVinci Resolve Studio, you’ve got access to one of the cleanest subtitle workflows out there. The built-in auto-caption feature lets you create subtitles directly from your video’s audio — no need to jump into another app. The only catch? You’ll need the paid Studio version to unlock it.
Let’s walk through the process step by step.
Start by launching DaVinci Resolve and opening your project. Make sure your video is already in the timeline and that the dialogue is clear — the better your audio quality, the better the transcription result.
Now go to the “Timeline” menu at the top of the screen and click on “Create Subtitles from Audio.” This is the tool you’ll use to generate subtitles automatically.
Before launching the process, you’ll be asked to choose a few settings:
Once that’s done, hit the button to begin transcription. DaVinci will analyze your audio, convert it into text, and break it down into subtitle blocks — all placed directly onto the timeline. The process usually takes just a few minutes, depending on how long your video is.
Once the transcription is finished, your subtitles will appear in the Subtitles panel and also on the timeline above your video.
Now it’s time to review. Click through each subtitle block and make sure the text is accurate. Sometimes, especially with background noise or fast speech, the transcription might miss a word or two. You can edit any caption directly by selecting it and typing in the correct text.
Next, check the timing. You can adjust each subtitle by dragging it left or right on the timeline to sync it perfectly with your audio.
Want to customize how your subtitles look? Easy. Click on any subtitle block in the timeline, then open the Track panel. Here you can change the font, size, color, position, and background — giving your captions a clean, on-brand look.
If you're working on longer content, you can even create and save your own subtitle style presets to reuse in future projects.
Once your subtitles are accurate and styled, it’s time to export.
Head over to the “Deliver” tab (also known as Render). In the subtitle section of your export settings, you’ll see two main options:
Choose the option that fits your needs, hit Render, and you’re done.
Don’t have DaVinci Resolve Studio? No problem. Even if you're using the free version, you can still create high-quality subtitles without spending a cent. Thanks to a smart third-party tool called Auto-Subs, you can generate subtitles using AI and import them directly into DaVinci.
Here’s how to do it, step by step.
Start by visiting the Auto-Subs GitHub page. That’s where you’ll find the latest version of the plugin, completely free to use. Download it, unzip the folder, and run the installer. Follow the instructions to get everything set up on your system.
Once it’s installed, launch DaVinci Resolve and open your project. From the top menu, go to “Workspace” > “Scripts” > “AutoSubs V2.” This will open the Auto-Subs interface — a simple window that lets you generate captions with just a few clicks.
Choose your audio track from the dropdown menu. Then select the transcription model — the default model based on OpenAI’s Whisper works best for most videos. You don’t need to tweak much here unless you’re working with something very specific.
Now click “Start the Process.” The AI will process your audio, transcribe the dialogue, and create subtitle timing automatically. When it’s done, you can click “Export” and save the subtitle file in .SRT format.
That’s your free, AI-generated subtitle file — ready to go.
Back in DaVinci Resolve, go to “File” > “Import” > “Subtitle” and choose the SRT file you just exported.
You’ll now see a subtitle track added to your timeline. Just drag it to the beginning of the video so everything syncs from the start. Each subtitle appears as its own block above the video — easy to see, easy to manage.
Now review the subtitles carefully. Even though the AI does a solid job, small tweaks might still be needed. Use the Subtitle panel or click directly on the blocks to edit the text or adjust the timing. You can move subtitle events left or right on the timeline to fine-tune their sync.
Want your subtitles to look clean and professional? You can do that, too — even with the free version.
Click on a subtitle block, then go to the Track panel. Here you can edit the font, size, color, position, and even add a background if needed. The style is fully customizable, and the changes update in real-time on your video.
If you plan to reuse this look, save it as a custom style preset.
Once your subtitles are edited and styled, go to the Deliver page to export your final video.
Under subtitle settings, choose whether to burn the subtitles into the video (hardcoded) or export them as a separate SRT or VTT file. Then click Render, and you’re done.
DaVinci Resolve supports various file formats, allowing you to integrate pre-made subtitles easily. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Before importing, ensure your subtitle file is in a compatible format. DaVinci Resolve supports popular formats like SRT, VTT, and TXT. If your file is not in one of these formats, use a subtitle conversion tool to reformat it.
Open your project and navigate to the "Media Pool." Right-click within the Media Pool and select "Import Subtitles." Locate your subtitle file on your computer and click "Open." The file will be added as a new timeline element.
Drag the imported subtitle file from the Media Pool onto your timeline. Place it above the video track. DaVinci Resolve will automatically align the subtitles based on the timing information included in the file.
Once the subtitles are in the timeline, you can customize their look. Select the subtitle track and open the "Inspector" panel. Adjust the font, size, color, and positioning to match your video’s style. This ensures that your subtitles are visually appealing and easy to read.
Review the subtitles to ensure they sync perfectly with the audio and visuals in your video. If adjustments are needed, drag the edges of the subtitle blocks in the timeline to refine their timing. This step is crucial for maintaining accuracy.
When you’re satisfied with the subtitles, export your video. Go to the "Deliver" tab, choose your preferred export settings, and ensure subtitles are included in the final render. You can embed the subtitles directly into the video or export them as a separate file.
For video creators who want to save time and boost efficiency, using an AI subtitle generator like Checksub can significantly accelerate the subtitling process. These tools complement DaVinci Resolve by providing automated transcription and subtitle creation that integrates seamlessly into your workflow.
Here’s how you can leverage AI subtitle generators for faster, more accurate results:
Start by logging into the AI subtitle generator platform, such as Checksub. Upload your video file to the platform, which supports various video formats. After uploading, select the original language of your video. If needed, you can also choose additional languages for translation.
The AI platform uses advanced speech recognition technology to transcribe the audio in your video. This process usually takes only a few minutes, depending on the video’s length and complexity. Once the transcription is complete, the platform will generate subtitle files with accurate timing.
After the AI generates the subtitles, review and refine them using the platform’s editor. You can split sentences, adjust timing, and correct any errors. This step ensures that the subtitles are polished and professional, ready for use in your project.
AI tools like Checksub allow you to customize the appearance of your subtitles. Modify font, size, color, and position to match the aesthetic of your video. This level of customization helps maintain consistency with your branding and style.
Once satisfied with the subtitles, export them in a format compatible with DaVinci Resolve, such as SRT or VTT. Alternatively, you can export a video file with the subtitles embedded directly.
Import the exported subtitle file into DaVinci Resolve following the steps outlined in the previous section. Add the subtitles to your timeline and make any final adjustments as needed.
You want to speed up your subtitling process in DaVinci ? Try Checksub for free.
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