Change aspect ratio in the project settings before you start editing

The fastest way to set aspect ratio in DaVinci Resolve is to change it in your project settings before you import footage or begin the edit. Open DaVinci Resolve, create a new project, then right-click the project name and select Project Settings. In the Master Settings tab, find the Resolution section. Choose your aspect ratio from the dropdown menu — common options are 16:9 (widescreen), 4:3 (standard), 1:1 (square), and 9:16 (vertical). Click Save.

This approach works best if you know your output format before you start. If you change the aspect ratio after you have already laid out clips and effects, DaVinci Resolve will not automatically reposition your content — you will have to adjust it manually on the timeline.

If you are working on an existing project and need to change the aspect ratio, you can still access Project Settings the same way. Right-click the project name, select Project Settings, and change the resolution. Your timeline will update to the new dimensions, but clips and text will stay in their original positions, so you may need to reframe or rescale them.

Key Takeaways

  • Change aspect ratio in Project Settings before you start editing to avoid having to reposition clips later.
  • Right-click your project name, select Project Settings, and choose your aspect ratio from the Resolution dropdown in Master Settings.
  • Common aspect ratios in DaVinci Resolve are 16:9 for widescreen, 4:3 for standard, 1:1 for square, and 9:16 for vertical video.
  • If you change aspect ratio after editing, your clips will stay in their original positions and you will need to manually reframe or rescale them.

Adjust individual clips if you only need to change one shot

If you want to keep your project at one aspect ratio but change how a single clip appears, use the Inspector panel on the right side of the Edit page. Select the clip on the timeline, then look for the Transform section in the Inspector. You can adjust the scale, position, and rotation of that clip without changing the project aspect ratio.

This method is useful when you have footage shot in a different format — for example, a vertical phone video in a horizontal 16:9 project. Scale the clip down and position it where you want it, or use the Crop tool to remove the sides. The project stays at your chosen aspect ratio, and only that one clip is modified.

Use the Crop tool for quick framing changes

The Crop tool in DaVinci Resolve lets you change how much of a clip you see without scaling the entire image. On the Edit page, select your clip and open the Inspector panel. Scroll to the Crop section and drag the edges inward to remove parts of the frame. You can also enter exact pixel values if you need precision.

Cropping is different from scaling — it removes pixels rather than shrinking the whole image. Use cropping when you want to remove unwanted edges or change the visible portion of a shot without making the image smaller or blurry.

Export at a different aspect ratio than your project

Your project aspect ratio does not have to match your export format. On the Deliver page, click the Video tab and look for the Resolution section. You can choose a different resolution and aspect ratio for your final output. DaVinci Resolve will letterbox (add black bars) or pillarbox (add side bars) your video to fit the new format.

This is useful if you edited in 16:9 but need to deliver a 1:1 square version for social media, or vice versa. Set your export resolution, choose your codec and quality settings, and render. The original project stays unchanged.

Understand resolution versus aspect ratio

Resolution and aspect ratio are not the same thing. Resolution is the pixel dimensions — 1920 × 1080, 3840 × 2160, and so on. Aspect ratio is the proportion of width to height — 16:9, 4:3, 1:1. You can have the same aspect ratio at different resolutions (1920 × 1080 and 3840 × 2160 are both 16:9), and you can have the same resolution at different aspect ratios if you crop it.

In DaVinci Resolve, when you change the aspect ratio in Project Settings, the resolution changes too. If you select 16:9 at 1080p, you get 1920 × 1080. If you select 4:3 at 1080p, you get 1440 × 1080. The software calculates the resolution based on your chosen aspect ratio and frame size.

Match your aspect ratio to your source footage

If most of your footage is shot in one format, set your project to that aspect ratio from the start. If you mix formats — some 16:9 and some 4:3 — choose the one you use most and adjust the others individually. Mixing aspect ratios without planning usually means more work on the timeline.

Check your camera or phone settings to see what aspect ratio your footage uses. Most modern cameras default to 16:9, but some phones shoot 9:16 for vertical video, and older cameras often use 4:3. Knowing this before you start editing saves time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change aspect ratio without affecting my timeline?

Yes, if you change it in the Deliver settings when you export. Your project timeline stays the same, and DaVinci Resolve adds black bars to fit the new aspect ratio. If you change it in Project Settings, your timeline updates but clips stay in their original positions.

What happens to my clips if I change the project aspect ratio?

The clips themselves do not change, but they may appear in different positions on the new canvas. A clip centered in a 16:9 project may look off-center in a 4:3 project. You will need to reposition or rescale them to look right in the new format.

How do I make a vertical video in DaVinci Resolve?

Set your project aspect ratio to 9:16 in Project Settings. Choose 9:16 from the Resolution dropdown, and your timeline will be taller than it is wide. Edit normally, and your output will be vertical. This is useful for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

Can I export a square video from a widescreen project?

Yes. Keep your project at 16:9, then go to the Deliver page and change the export resolution to 1:1 (square). DaVinci Resolve will add black bars on the sides or crop the top and bottom, depending on your settings. Check the preview before you render.

What aspect ratio should I use for YouTube?

YouTube accepts most aspect ratios, but 16:9 is standard for full-screen playback. If you upload a different aspect ratio, YouTube will add black bars. For YouTube Shorts, use 9:16. For thumbnails and social media clips, 1:1 (square) works well.