DaVinci Resolve how-to
How to export a video in DaVinci Resolve (Quick Export, Deliver)
Short answer
For a fast export, choose File > Quick Export, pick a preset (H.264, H.265, YouTube and more) and click Export; it works from any page and exports the whole timeline unless you set In and Out points. For full control, open the Deliver page, choose Custom Export, set format, codec, resolution and frame rate, click Add to Render Queue and then Render All.
Checked against: DaVinci Resolve 21, free version and Studio (Studio-only features are marked), Edit page unless stated, per the Resolve 21 Reference Manual (July 2026).
Method 1: Quick Export
Set a range (optional)
Set In and Out points to export part of the timeline; otherwise the whole timeline exports.
Open Quick Export
Choose File > Quick Export from any page.
FileQuick Export
Pick a preset
Select a preset from the top row of icons and click Export. You can also upload directly to YouTube, Vimeo or Dropbox.
Save
Choose a folder and file name and click Save; a progress bar shows the time left.
Method 2: Deliver page (custom settings)
Open Deliver
Click the Deliver page (rocket icon) and choose Custom Export in Render Settings.
Set the file
Format MP4, Codec H.264, resolution matching your timeline (1080 × 1920 for vertical), frame rate as recorded.
Render
Click Add to Render Queue, then Render All.
Save it as a preset
In the Render Settings 3-dot menu choose Save as New Preset, name it, pick an icon and tick Add to quick export.
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Export settings for social platforms
| Platform | Resolution | Codec |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok, Reels, Shorts | 1080 × 1920 | H.264 MP4, frame rate as recorded |
| YouTube | 1920 × 1080 or 3840 × 2160 | H.264 MP4 |
| Instagram feed | 1080 × 1350 | H.264 MP4 |
If it doesn't work
| What you see | Fix |
|---|---|
| Export is horizontal with bars | The timeline is 16:9; set the timeline to vertical first (see the vertical guide). |
| H.265 or hardware encoding options missing | Some encoders depend on your GPU and on the Studio version. |
| Only part of the video exported | Clear In and Out points (Alt/Option-X) before exporting. |
Questions people ask
What is the fastest way to export in DaVinci Resolve?
File > Quick Export and pick a preset. It works from any page.
Can DaVinci Resolve upload to YouTube directly?
Yes. Quick Export can upload to YouTube, Vimeo and Dropbox.
Why is my export so large?
Lower the bitrate (set a restricted bitrate in Custom Export) or use H.265 if your device supports it.
More DaVinci Resolve guides
Sources and how we checked
- DaVinci Resolve 21 Reference Manual: Quick Export and the Deliver page (p. 811-812, 4179-4180) (checked 2026-10-05)
Reviewed October 5, 2026 by the Koldflux team. Each step is compared with DaVinci Resolve's own documentation (linked above) and with the top search results for this task; where they disagree, the maker's documentation wins. Steps without a source link follow the menu names that several current guides agree on.