How to Change FPS in DaVinci Resolve – The Complete Guide

DaVinci Resolve is one of the most powerful video editing tools available, and whether you’re creating cinematic videos, YouTube content, or social media reels, choosing the right FPS (Frames Per Second) is crucial. FPS determines how smooth or cinematic your video will look.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to change FPS in DaVinci Resolve step-by-step, whether you’re starting a new project or adjusting existing clips.

Why FPS Matters in Video Editing

FPS (Frames Per Second) is the number of images your video displays per second. Common FPS values include:

• 24 FPS → Cinematic look
• 30 FPS → Standard for YouTube & social media
• 60 FPS → Smooth, high-motion videos
• 120 FPS+ → Slow-motion editing

Setting the wrong FPS can result in stuttery playback, mismatched audio, or export issues — so it’s important to get it right from the start.

1. Changing FPS Before Starting a Project (Best Method)

Once a project’s timeline FPS is set and you start editing, you cannot change it directly — so it’s best to set FPS before importing media.

Steps:

1. Open DaVinci Resolve and create a New Project.
2. Click the Gear Icon in the bottom-right (Project Settings).
3. Under Master Settings, set:
   • Timeline Frame Rate → Your desired FPS (24, 25, 30, 60, etc.)
   • Playback Frame Rate → Match it to the same FPS.
4. Click Save.

✅ This ensures all your footage matches your chosen FPS from the beginning.

2. Changing FPS After Importing Clips (Before Editing)

If you’ve imported clips but haven’t started editing:

1. Go to File → Project Settings.
2. Change Timeline Frame Rate (if it’s still editable).
3. Click Save.

⚠ If it’s greyed out, you’ll need to use the method below.

3. Changing FPS After Editing Has Started

Once you’ve placed clips on the timeline, FPS settings lock. To change:

1. Create a New Timeline:
   • Go to File → New Timeline.
   • Untick Use Project Settings.
   • Set your new Timeline Frame Rate.
2. Copy all clips from the old timeline (Ctrl/Cmd + A → Copy) and paste them into the new timeline.

4. Changing FPS of Individual Clips

Sometimes you don’t want to change the entire project’s FPS — just a clip:

1. Right-click the clip in the Media Pool → Clip Attributes.
2. Under the Video Tab, change Video Frame Rate.
3. Click OK.

This is perfect for slow-motion or time-lapse effects.

Pro Tips for FPS Settings in DaVinci Resolve

• Decide your FPS before editing.
• Match your camera FPS to your timeline FPS for the best quality.
• For cinematic videos → 24 FPS
  For online content → 30 FPS
  For smooth slow-mo → 60 FPS or higher.