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How to Add Subtitles in DaVinci Resolve (Import, Type, Export)

Everything you need to put subtitles on a video in DaVinci Resolve: bring in an SRT file, type them yourself, make them look good, and export them the way your client or platform wants.

Updated September 30, 2026 · by The Bigger Studio

Quick answer

• You already have an .srt file: File › Import › Subtitle, then drag it onto the timeline.
• You don't have one: add a subtitle track and type each line in the Inspector, or use Timeline › Create Subtitles from Audio if your edition includes it.
• To export: on the Deliver page, open Subtitle Settings, tick Export Subtitle and choose a separate file or burned in.

1. Import an SRT file

This is the most common case: a transcription service, a client or a translator sends you an .srt file.

1. On the Edit page, choose File › Import › Subtitle and pick the .srt file. It appears in the Media Pool.
2. Drag it onto the timeline, lined up with the start of the video. Resolve creates a subtitle track (ST1) above your video tracks.
3. If the timing is off by a fixed amount, select all the subtitle clips on the track and slide them together.

2. Type subtitles by hand

1. Open the Effects library, go to Titles and find Subtitle. Drag it onto the timeline to create a subtitle track.
2. Select the subtitle clip and type the line in the Inspector.
3. Trim the clip so it starts when the phrase starts and ends when it ends. Add the next line and repeat.

Keep each subtitle to one or two lines and about 40 characters per line. People read faster than they listen, but not that much faster.

3. Create subtitles from the audio

Recent versions of DaVinci Resolve can transcribe the timeline for you with Timeline › Create Subtitles from Audio. For years this was a DaVinci Resolve Studio feature, so check what your version and edition include. Always review the result: names, brands and numbers are where transcription goes wrong.

Make them look good

• Style the whole track at once: click the subtitle track header (ST1) and use the Inspector to set the font, size, color, outline and background for every subtitle on the track.
• Readable beats pretty: a bold sans-serif font, white text and a soft shadow or a semi-transparent box work on almost any footage.
• Mind the edges: on vertical videos, keep subtitles out of the bottom fifth of the frame, where TikTok, Reels and Shorts put their own text and buttons.

Export subtitles

1. Go to the Deliver page and open Subtitle Settings in the render settings.
2. Tick Export Subtitle.
3. Choose As a separate file to get an .srt (for YouTube, clients and translators), or Burn into video for social media, where most people watch on mute.

You can also export just the subtitle file with File › Export › Subtitle.

The fast way to animated captions: Bigger Subs

Standard subtitles are perfect for YouTube, courses and client deliveries. For reels and ads, most editors want the social look: a few words at a time, key words bigger, a little movement and sound. That's what Bigger Subs does, inside DaVinci Resolve.

• Writes the subtitles word by word on your computer and times every word to the voice.
• 45 premium styles, automatic emphasis on the words that matter, and 600+ sound effects.
• Places a transparent ProRes 4444 clip on your timeline. You can still export an .srt for the client.

FAQ

Why don't my subtitles show up in the exported video?

Subtitle tracks are not rendered unless you tick Export Subtitle in the Deliver page and choose Burn into video. Also check that the subtitle track isn't disabled on the timeline.

Can I have subtitles in two languages?

Yes. Add a second subtitle track, import or type the other language there, and choose which track to export.

More guides: Animated subtitles in DaVinci Resolve · CapCut-style captions in DaVinci Resolve · Auto subtitles in DaVinci Resolve