Where to Change Your Frame Rate in DaVinci Resolve

You change the frame rate of your project in DaVinci Resolve by opening the Project Settings panel and selecting a new frame rate from the Timeline frame rate dropdown. The setting sits in the Master Settings tab, and changing it takes about 30 seconds. The frame rate you choose here applies to your entire timeline — every clip in your project will play at that speed.

The exact location depends on which version of DaVinci Resolve you are using, but the principle is the same in all recent versions. You do not change the frame rate of individual clips; you set it once for the whole project, and Resolve handles the conversion when clips do not match.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Project Settings from the menu bar, then click the Master Settings tab to find the Timeline frame rate dropdown.
  • Changing the project frame rate does not delete or damage your clips — Resolve will speed them up, slow them down, or repeat frames to match.
  • Set your frame rate before you start editing if you know what your final output needs to be, because changing it mid-project can shift the timing of cuts and effects.
  • Your output frame rate can differ from your project frame rate — Resolve will convert during export if needed.

Step-by-Step: Opening Project Settings

Start in the Edit page of DaVinci Resolve. Look at the top menu bar and click File, then scroll down to Project Settings. A window will open showing your current project configuration.

Once the Project Settings window is open, you will see several tabs across the top. Click the Master Settings tab if it is not already selected. In this tab, you will see a section labeled Timeline frame rate with a dropdown menu showing your current frame rate — usually 24, 25, 29.97, or 60 frames per second.

Click the dropdown to see all available frame rates. Select the one you need, then click Save at the bottom of the window. The change takes effect when ready.

Understanding Common Frame Rates and When to Use Them

24 fps is the standard for cinema and most streaming platforms. If you are making a film or uploading to YouTube, Vimeo, or similar services, 24 fps is the safe choice. It also uses less storage and processing power than higher frame rates.

25 fps is the broadcast standard in Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia. If your project is destined for European television or a region that uses PAL video, use 25 fps.

29.97 fps (often written as 30 fps) is the North American broadcast standard and the default for most cameras in the United States and Canada. If you are shooting on a standard DSLR or mirrorless camera in North America, your footage is likely 29.97 fps.

60 fps is used for slow-motion playback, sports footage, and high-frame-rate video. If you shot your footage at 60 fps and want it to play at normal speed, set your project to 60 fps. If you shot at 60 fps but want to slow it down for a slow-motion effect, you can set your project to 24 or 30 fps and Resolve will automatically slow the playback.

What Happens When Your Clips Do Not Match Your Project Frame Rate

If you import a clip shot at 60 fps into a 24 fps project, Resolve will not reject it or cause an error. Instead, it will convert the clip to match your project frame rate. The conversion method depends on your settings, but Resolve typically uses frame blending or frame repetition.

Frame blending averages pixels between frames to create a smoother slow-down. Frame repetition duplicates frames to match the lower frame rate, which can look slightly stuttery but is faster to process. You can control which method Resolve uses by right-clicking the clip in the timeline, selecting Clip attributes, and choosing your preferred conversion method under Retime controls.

Changing your project frame rate after you have already edited will shift the timing of your cuts and effects. A cut that happens at the 10-second mark in a 24 fps project will happen at a different timecode in a 30 fps project. For this reason, it is best to set your frame rate before you start editing.

Changing Output Frame Rate Separately from Project Frame Rate

Your output frame rate does not have to match your project frame rate. You can edit in 24 fps and export in 30 fps, or vice versa. This is useful when you are working with footage shot at one frame rate but need to deliver at another.

To set your output frame rate, go to the Deliver page in DaVinci Resolve. In the export settings panel on the right, look for Video and expand it. You will see a Frame rate dropdown — this is separate from your project frame rate. Select your desired output frame rate here, and Resolve will convert during export.

This conversion happens in real time during export, so it does not change your project itself. Your timeline stays at 24 fps, but your exported file will be 30 fps.

Fixing Slow or Fast Playback After Changing Frame Rate

If you change your project frame rate and your clips suddenly play too fast or too slow, the most common cause is a mismatch between the frame rate Resolve thinks your clip is and the frame rate it actually is. This usually happens when you import footage from a camera that does not embed frame rate metadata correctly.

To fix this, right-click the affected clip in the timeline and select Clip attributes. Look for a field labeled Frame rate and check that it matches what you shot. If it does not, change it to the correct value. Resolve will then re-interpret the clip at the correct speed.

If the clip still plays at the wrong speed after you correct the frame rate, you may need to use the Retime tool to manually adjust playback speed. This is a more advanced technique, but it gives you frame-by-frame control if Resolve's automatic conversion is not working as expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the frame rate of just one clip instead of the whole project?

No, the project frame rate applies to all clips. However, you can retime individual clips to play faster or slower without changing the project frame rate. Right-click a clip, select Retime, and use the speed slider to adjust playback speed for that clip only.

Will changing my frame rate delete or damage my clips?

No. Changing the project frame rate does not touch your original files. Resolve converts clips on playback and export only. Your source footage remains untouched on your hard drive.

What frame rate should I use if I am not sure?

If you are uploading to YouTube or most streaming platforms, use 24 fps. If you are working with footage from a standard camera in North America, use 29.97 fps. If you shot at 60 fps and want slow motion, keep your project at 24 or 30 fps and let Resolve slow the footage down automatically.

Can I export at a different frame rate than my project frame rate?

Yes. Go to the Deliver page, expand the Video section in the export settings, and choose a different frame rate in the Frame rate dropdown. Resolve will convert during export without changing your project.

Why does my timeline show the wrong timecode after I changed the frame rate?

Timecode is calculated from frame rate, so changing the frame rate changes the timecode display. A clip that was 10 seconds long at 24 fps will show a different timecode at 30 fps, even though the number of frames in the clip stays the same. This is normal and does not affect your actual edit.