DaVinci Resolve 18.5 and later have built-in auto captions

Auto captions arrived in DaVinci Resolve 18.5, released in late 2023. If you have version 18.5 or any later version (including the current 19.x releases), you can generate captions automatically without installing extra software. The feature works in both the free and paid Studio versions.

The auto captions tool listens to your video's audio, transcribes what it hears, and creates caption clips on your timeline. You can then edit the text, adjust timing, and style the captions to match your project. This saves the manual work of typing out every word by hand.

If you are running version 18.4 or earlier, you do not have this feature built in. You would need to either upgrade to a newer version or use a separate transcription tool outside DaVinci Resolve.

Key Takeaways

  • Auto captions are available in DaVinci Resolve 18.5 and all later versions, including version 19.
  • The feature works in the free version of DaVinci Resolve, not just the paid Studio edition.
  • You can access auto captions through the Fusion page or the Edit page, depending on your workflow.
  • The transcription happens on your computer, so processing time depends on your video length and hardware speed.

How to check your current DaVinci Resolve version

Open DaVinci Resolve and look at the top menu bar. Click DaVinci Resolve (on Mac) or Help (on Windows and Linux), then select About DaVinci Resolve. A window will pop up showing your version number at the top.

If the number starts with 18.5, 18.6, 19, or higher, you have auto captions. If it says 18.4 or lower, you will need to update. Updates are free for the free version — just download the latest installer from Blackmagic Design's website and install it over your current version. Your projects and settings stay in place.

Where to find the auto captions tool

In DaVinci Resolve 18.5 and later, auto captions live in the Fusion page. Open your project, click the Fusion tab at the bottom, then look for the Captions panel on the left side. Click the plus icon to add a new caption clip, and the software will prompt you to select your video or audio file.

Alternatively, some users find it faster to work in the Edit page. Right-click on your video clip in the timeline, look for Captions or Generate Captions in the menu, and select it. The exact menu path can shift slightly between versions, so if you do not see it immediately, check the Fusion page instead.

Once you start the transcription, DaVinci Resolve processes your audio and creates a text file with timings. The length of time this takes depends on your video length and your computer's processor speed — a five-minute video typically takes two to ten minutes to transcribe.

What the auto captions feature actually does

The tool transcribes speech from your audio track into text. It does not recognize background music, sound effects, or speaker names — it only converts words it hears into written form. The captions appear as a separate layer on your timeline, synced to the audio.

After transcription finishes, you can edit the text directly. If the software misheard a word, you can fix it. You can also adjust when each caption appears and disappears, split long captions into shorter ones, or merge short ones together. The styling — font, size, color, background — is separate and can be changed in the caption properties panel.

The transcription happens locally on your machine, not on a remote server. This means your audio stays private and you do not need an internet connection once the transcription starts, though you may need one to download the software initially.

Upgrading from an older version

If you have DaVinci Resolve 18.4 or earlier and want auto captions, you need to update. Go to Blackmagic Design's website, navigate to the DaVinci Resolve download page, and download the latest version for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux).

Run the installer and let it complete. You do not need to uninstall the old version first — the new installer will replace it. When you open DaVinci Resolve again, check the version number to confirm the update worked. Your existing projects will open normally in the new version.

The free version of DaVinci Resolve includes auto captions, so you do not need to pay for the Studio edition to use this feature. The paid version adds other tools like Fusion effects and advanced color grading, but captions work the same way in both.

Common issues with auto captions

If the transcription is slow or freezes, close other programs running in the background. DaVinci Resolve uses significant processor power during transcription, and competing applications can slow it down. Restarting your computer before transcribing a long video can also help.

If the captions are inaccurate, check your audio quality. Background noise, heavy accents, or poor microphone recording will produce more errors. You can edit the text after transcription, so minor mistakes are easy to fix — but if accuracy is critical for your project, you may want to review the full transcript before publishing.

If you do not see the Captions option in your menu, make sure you are on the Fusion page, not the Edit or Color page. The auto captions tool is specifically located in Fusion. If you are on Fusion and still cannot find it, try restarting DaVinci Resolve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the free version of DaVinci Resolve have auto captions?

Yes. Auto captions are included in the free version starting with version 18.5. You do not need to buy DaVinci Resolve Studio to use this feature. Both versions have the same transcription tool.

Can I use auto captions if my video has multiple speakers?

The tool transcribes all speech but does not automatically label who is speaking. After transcription, you can manually edit the text to add speaker names or labels. Some users add them as separate caption lines to make it clear who is talking.

What languages does auto captions support?

DaVinci Resolve's auto captions work best with English. Support for other languages exists but varies by version and may be less accurate. Check your version's release notes or test with a short clip in your language to see if the accuracy is acceptable for your project.

Do I need internet to use auto captions?

The transcription happens on your computer, so you do not need internet once the process starts. However, you may need internet to download and install DaVinci Resolve initially, and some features in newer versions may check for updates online.

What if I have version 18.5 but cannot find the auto captions tool?

Make sure you are on the Fusion page — click the Fusion tab at the bottom of the screen. The Captions panel should appear on the left side. If it is not visible, try clicking Window or Panels in the menu to show hidden panels. Restarting DaVinci Resolve can also help if the interface is not displaying correctly.