DaVinci Resolve for Beginners: Free Pro Video Editing

Free vs Studio (checked 2 October 2026)

Blackmagic Design's product page describes two versions of DaVinci Resolve 21. Download either only from blackmagicdesign.com.

DaVinci Resolve (free): editing, colour, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio in one app. Works with virtually all 8-bit video formats up to 60 fps at resolutions up to Ultra HD 3840 x 2160, and includes multi-user collaboration and HDR grading.
DaVinci Resolve Studio (US$295, one-time, no subscription): adds the DaVinci Neural Engine AI tools, dozens more effects, AI noise reduction, text-based editing, magic mask, 10-bit video up to 120 fps, resolutions beyond 4K, and multi-GPU support.
For learning and for most YouTube, social, and client videos at 1080p or 4K, the free version is enough.

Will it run on my computer?

Resolve needs more power than phone apps. Blackmagic's minimum requirements for version 21.1 include:

Windows: Windows 10 Creators Update or later, 16 GB of memory (32 GB with Fusion effects), and a GPU with at least 4 GB of VRAM.
Mac: an Apple silicon Mac with macOS 15 Sequoia or later and 8 GB of memory (16 GB with Fusion).
Linux: Rocky Linux 8.6, 32 GB of memory, and a discrete GPU with at least 4 GB of VRAM.
If your computer is below this, try a lighter editor such as CapCut first, or edit at 1080p with optimised media turned on.

The pages, in the order you use them

Resolve splits the work into pages, shown as buttons along the bottom of the window. A beginner needs four of them.

Media: bring your clips, music, and images into the project.
Cut or Edit: arrange and trim clips on the timeline. The Cut page is faster for simple videos; the Edit page gives a traditional timeline with more control.
Color: correct exposure and white balance, then add a look.
Fairlight: clean up and balance audio.
Deliver: export the finished video.
Fusion (visual effects) can wait until you are comfortable with the rest.

Step by step: your first edit

This walk-through makes a simple 1080p video for YouTube. Keyboard shortcuts are for Windows; on a Mac, use Cmd instead of Ctrl.

Create a project: open Resolve, click New Project in the Project Manager, and name it.
Set the timeline: open File, Project Settings, and set the timeline resolution to 1920 x 1080 and the frame rate to match your footage (often 30 or 25 fps). For a vertical video, set 1080 x 1920.
Import: on the Media page, drag your clips and music into the Media Pool.
Build the rough cut: on the Edit page, drag clips onto the timeline in story order.
Trim: press B for the Blade tool to cut a clip, press A to go back to selection, select the unwanted piece, and press Delete. Ctrl+Z undoes a mistake.
Add titles: open the Effects library, choose Titles, and drag a Text title above your clip on the timeline. Edit the words in the Inspector.
Fix colour: on the Color page, use the primary wheels to brighten a dark shot or warm a blue one. Small changes look best.
Balance audio: on the Edit page or Fairlight, lower the music so speech stays clearly louder, and keep the meter out of the red so nothing clips.
Export: on the Deliver page, choose the YouTube preset (or H.264 at 1080p), pick a file name and location, click Add to Render Queue, then Render All.

Five beginner mistakes to avoid

Mixing frame rates without setting the project first, which can make motion look jerky. Set the timeline frame rate before you import.
Editing large 4K or phone HEVC files on a slow computer. Right-click the clips in the Media Pool and generate optimised media for smoother playback.
Forgetting where the project is saved. Resolve stores projects in its database; use File, Export Project to keep a backup copy.
Using music you have no licence for. Use your own, royalty-free libraries whose terms you have read, or the client's licensed tracks.
Rendering before checking the whole timeline once at full screen with the sound on.

Sources and further reading

Tools mentioned

DaVinci Resolve, DaVinci Resolve Studio. Features and availability can change; check each provider's official information before choosing a tool.

Frequently asked questions

Is DaVinci Resolve really free?

Yes. The free version has no watermark and no time limit, and supports most 8-bit video up to Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 at 60 fps. The paid Studio version (US$295 one-time, checked 2 October 2026) adds AI tools, more effects, and higher formats.

Is DaVinci Resolve good for beginners?

Yes, if your computer meets the requirements. Start on the Cut or Edit page and ignore the advanced pages until you are comfortable. It takes longer to learn than phone apps but grows with you.

DaVinci Resolve or CapCut: which should I use?

CapCut is quicker for short vertical videos on a phone. DaVinci Resolve is better for longer videos, colour correction, and audio work on a computer, and its free version is a professional tool.

What computer do I need for DaVinci Resolve?

For version 21.1: Windows 10 or later with 16 GB of memory and a 4 GB GPU, an Apple silicon Mac on macOS 15 or later with 8 GB, or Rocky Linux 8.6 with 32 GB and a 4 GB discrete GPU. More memory makes editing smoother.

How do I export a video for YouTube in DaVinci Resolve?

On the Deliver page, choose the YouTube preset or H.264 at your timeline resolution, name the file, click Add to Render Queue, and then Render All.

Continue

How to edit a video