DaVinci Resolve how-to
How to add transitions in DaVinci Resolve (Cmd/Ctrl-T)
Short answer
Select an edit point (press V near the cut) and press Ctrl-T on Windows or Cmd-T on Mac (Timeline > Add Transition) to add the standard transition, a one-second cross dissolve by default. Or drag any transition from Effects > Toolbox > Video Transitions onto the cut. If the clips lack spare frames, Resolve offers to trim them so the transition fits.
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: Keyboard
Select the edit
Select one or more edit points with the Selection tool, or move the playhead near a cut and press V.
Add the standard transition
Press Command-T (Mac) or Ctrl-T (Windows), Timeline > Add Transition. Option/Alt-T adds a video-only transition.
TimelineAdd Transition
Method 2: Drag and drop
Pick a transition
Open Effects > Toolbox > Video Transitions and drag one (Cross Dissolve is the most common) onto the cut.
Adjust it
Double-click the transition to open it in the Inspector and set Duration, Alignment (Start, Center or End on Edit), Style and Ease.
If it doesn't work
| What you see | Fix |
|---|---|
| Dialog: not enough handles | Choose Trim Clips to shorten both sides so the transition fits, or Skip Clips. |
| Transition too long | Change Duration in the Inspector, or the Standard transition duration in User Preferences > Editing (1 second by default). |
| Audio jumps at the cut | With Linked Selection on, adding a video transition also adds an audio crossfade. |
Questions people ask
What is the transition shortcut in DaVinci Resolve?
Cmd-T on Mac or Ctrl-T on Windows adds the standard transition to selected edits.
How do I change the default transition?
Right-click a transition in the Effects Library and set it as the Standard Transition.
Can I save a customized transition?
Yes. Right-click it in the timeline and choose Create Transition Preset.
More DaVinci Resolve guides
Sources and how we checked
- DaVinci Resolve 21 Reference Manual: Adding transitions and transition properties (p. 1195-1198) (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.