Export your finished video in DaVinci Resolve by going to File > Export > Add to Render Queue, choosing your format and settings, then clicking Start Render

DaVinci Resolve stores your project as an editable timeline, not as a video file. To turn that timeline into a video you can watch, share, or upload, you need to export it. The export process in DaVinci Resolve is called the Render Queue, and it converts your edited timeline into a single video file in whatever format you choose.

The steps are straightforward, but the settings matter — choose the wrong format and your file will be huge, or it won't play on the device you need it for. This guide walks you through the export process and explains what each setting does so you can export in the format that actually works for your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Export starts with File > Export > Add to Render Queue, then you choose your video format, resolution, and frame rate before clicking Start Render.
  • H.264 is the most common format for videos you plan to watch or share because it creates smaller files that play on almost any device.
  • ProRes is better if you plan to edit the video again later or need higher quality, but the files are much larger.
  • The export process runs in the background and can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on your video length and the format you choose.
  • You can export multiple versions at once by adding several jobs to the Render Queue before you start rendering.

Open the Export menu and add your project to the Render Queue

Start with your finished project open in DaVinci Resolve. Click the File menu at the top left, then hover over Export. A submenu will appear. Click Add to Render Queue.

This opens the Render Queue window on the right side of your screen. You will see your project listed with default export settings already filled in. Do not start rendering yet — you need to check and change the settings first, because the defaults may not be what you need.

Choose your video format based on where the video will go

In the Render Queue window, look for the Format dropdown. This is the most important choice you will make. The format determines what kind of file you get and how big it will be.

H.264 is the right choice for most situations. Use it if you are uploading to YouTube, sharing via email, posting on social media, or just watching the video yourself. H.264 files are small, play on almost any device, and look good. This is the format most people should choose.

ProRes is better if you plan to edit the video again later or if you need the highest possible quality. ProRes files are much larger — a 10-minute video can be 10 to 20 gigabytes instead of 500 megabytes — but they preserve more detail. Use ProRes only if you have a specific reason to.

DNxHD is similar to ProRes and used mainly by professional editors on Windows machines. Unless you know you need it, skip it.

Set your resolution and frame rate to match your source

Below the Format dropdown, you will see Resolution and Frame Rate. In most cases, you should leave these at whatever your original footage was shot at. If your footage is 1080p at 30 frames per second, export at 1080p and 30 fps. If it is 4K at 60 fps, export at 4K and 60 fps.

Changing the resolution or frame rate during export is possible but usually makes the video look worse without a good reason. The one exception: if you shot at 4K but you only need 1080p for where it is going, you can lower the resolution to make the file smaller. Do not raise the resolution above what you shot at — that will not make it look better.

If you are unsure what your original footage was, click the Media Pool tab, right-click one of your source clips, and select Clip Properties. The resolution and frame rate are listed there.

Name your file and choose where to save it

In the Render Queue window, look at the Filename field. This is where your exported video will be saved. By default, DaVinci Resolve suggests a name and a location. You can change both.

Click the folder icon next to the filename to browse to a different folder if you want to save it somewhere other than the default location. Then change the filename itself to something you will recognize — something like "final_video_v1" or "birthday_party_edit" is better than the default "Untitled Project_1".

Make sure you have enough free space on your hard drive for the exported file. An H.264 video is usually 500 megabytes to 2 gigabytes per 10 minutes. A ProRes video is 10 to 20 gigabytes per 10 minutes. If you are not sure how much space you have, right-click the drive in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and select Properties or Get Info.

Start the render and wait for it to finish

Once your format, resolution, frame rate, and filename are set the way you want them, click the Start Render button at the bottom right of the Render Queue window. DaVinci Resolve will begin converting your timeline into a video file.

The render runs in the background. You can keep working in DaVinci Resolve while it renders, though your computer will be slower. A progress bar shows how far along the render is. For a short video (under 5 minutes) in H.264, rendering usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Longer videos or higher-quality formats take longer — a 30-minute 4K ProRes video can take an hour or more.

When the render is done, you will see a green checkmark next to your job in the Render Queue. Your video file is now ready to watch, share, or upload. Navigate to the folder where you saved it to find the file.

Export multiple versions at once by adding multiple jobs to the queue

If you need the same video in more than one format — for example, one version for YouTube and one for Instagram — you can add multiple jobs to the Render Queue before you start rendering. This saves time because DaVinci Resolve will render them one after another without you having to start each one manually.

To do this, go to File > Export > Add to Render Queue again. Change the format, resolution, or filename to whatever you need for the second version. Click Add to Render Queue again. Repeat for as many versions as you need. Now you will see multiple jobs listed in the Render Queue window. Click Start Render once, and DaVinci Resolve will work through all of them in order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if the render fails or gets stuck?

If the render stops or shows an error, check that you have enough free hard drive space and that the folder you are saving to is not read-only. Close any other programs using a lot of memory, then try rendering again. If it keeps failing, try exporting in a different format — sometimes a format-specific problem is easier to fix than a general one.

Can I export just part of my video instead of the whole timeline?

Yes. In the timeline, click and drag to select the section you want to export. Then go to File > Export > Add to Render Queue. In the Render Queue window, check the box that says Use Timeline In/Out. Only the selected section will render.

Why is my exported video so large or so small in file size?

File size depends on format, resolution, frame rate, and how much motion is in your video. H.264 at 1080p is usually 100 to 300 megabytes per minute. If your file is much larger, you may have chosen ProRes by mistake. If it is much smaller, check that you did not accidentally lower the resolution or frame rate.

What format should I use if I am uploading to YouTube?

YouTube recommends H.264 in an MP4 container at your original resolution and frame rate. If your video is 1080p 30fps, export at 1080p 30fps in H.264. YouTube will re-encode it anyway, so there is no benefit to using a higher-quality format.

Can I cancel a render once it has started?

Yes. Click the Stop Render button in the Render Queue window. The render will stop, but the partial file will remain on your hard drive. You can delete it manually or start a new render to overwrite it.