In DaVinci Resolve, choose a separate subtitle file when captions must remain selectable, or burn them into the video when their appearance must be permanent. Resolve 20 also documents embedded caption delivery for specific supported formats.
Direct answer and delivery decision table
| Delivery | Result | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Burn into video | Caption appearance becomes video pixels. | Play the rendered video and inspect placement. |
| Separate file | Subtitle text/timing is delivered alongside the video. | Supply the correct file and test it in the destination. |
| Embedded captions | Supported caption data is carried inside a supported media format. | Verify format, caption standard and player support. |
The Resolve 20 manual, Chapter 52, documents these paths. The instructions below are documentation-based, not a recorded test export.
Confirm target sequence and subtitle track
Perform these prerequisites on the Edit page:
- Distinguish Subtitle tracks from Titles: Ensure your text is located on a dedicated Subtitle Track (ST1, ST2) above the timeline, not standard Text or Text+ title generator clips.
- Check Track Visibility: Confirm the Enable track toggle on your Subtitle Track is active.
- Select Language Track: If your timeline contains multiple subtitle tracks, identify which track contains your primary language.
Documented Deliver page export workflow
On Deliver, open the Video panel of Render Settings and its Subtitle Settings. Enable Export Subtitle, then choose the required delivery mode and intended subtitle track(s).
The manual documents embedded CEA-608 captions in MXF OP1A and QuickTime output. Do not assume ordinary MP4 export supports every embedded caption standard. Use the modes actually available for your format/version.
Separate sidecar file workflow (.srt / .vtt)
For delivery alongside video, set Format to As a separate file, choose an available Export As format such as SRT or WebVTT and select the intended subtitle track checkboxes. Add the render job and inspect its completed outputs in the selected folder.
For a subtitle file without another video render, Resolve 20 also documents File → Export Subtitle, or Export Subtitle from a subtitle track header’s context menu. Those dialogs support SRT and VTT. Check the selected track and open the resulting file to verify text/times; exporting a file does not prove the destination reads it correctly.
Burned-in subtitles workflow
To permanently burn subtitles into your video frames:
- On the Deliver page, expand Subtitle Settings.
- Set Format to Burn into video.
- Select the target Subtitle Track (e.g. the intended language track).
- Click Add to Render Queue and render your project.
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Output playback inspection
Timeline visibility does not guarantee export delivery. Test your exported files outside DaVinci Resolve:
- For Burned-in videos: Open the MP4 file in VLC or QuickTime and verify text appears visually on screen.
- For Sidecar files: Confirm an .srt file with a matching filename was created in your export folder (see SRT vs VTT: Which Subtitle File Do You Need?).
- For Web Uploads: Upload video and SRT files to your target platform and verify closed captions toggle correctly.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my subtitles missing from the rendered MP4 file?
Check Export Subtitle, the delivery mode and selected track. A separate-file export intentionally leaves the video without burned-in text; load the sidecar in a supporting destination. If burn-in was intended, inspect a short render with that setting.
Does exporting an SRT file retain DaVinci Resolve subtitle font styles?
No. Standard .srt sidecar files store plain text and timestamps. It does not reproduce the full Subtitle Inspector design. Some formatting support depends on the player. Use burn-in to retain the caption appearance as video pixels and inspect the render.
Related reading
- For format comparison: see SRT vs VTT: Which Subtitle File Do You Need?.
- For out-of-sync timing: see Subtitles Out of Sync: Constant Offset vs Gradual Drift.
- For overlapping cues: see Overlapping Subtitles: How to Find and Fix Affected Cues.
- For media relinking: see DaVinci Resolve Media Offline: How to Find and Relink Files.
- For caption guidelines: see Video Caption Readability.
Optional Cubix workflow
For a separate caption edit, start with your original video in Cubix. Upload the source footage, generate captions and review the wording, timing and placement before exporting the video. See the Cubix caption workflow for the relevant controls.
The editor entry opens Home. It does not transfer a third-party project or automatically upload/import the reader’s files.
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