Change your project frame rate before you start editing
The frame rate in DaVinci Resolve determines how many still images per second your video will play at — 24 fps for film, 30 fps for standard video, 60 fps for smooth motion. You set this when you create a new project, and changing it mid-project can cause sync problems between video and audio or force you to re-render everything. The safest approach is to set the correct frame rate at the start, but if you need to change it, DaVinci Resolve lets you do this in the Project Settings panel before you begin editing.
The frame rate you choose depends on what you're making and where it will play. Film and cinematic work typically use 24 fps. Broadcast television and most online video use 29.97 fps (often called 30 fps). High-motion content like sports or gaming often uses 60 fps. If you're working with footage shot at a specific frame rate, your project frame rate should match it to avoid playback issues.
Key Takeaways
- Open Project Settings from the hamburger menu in the top left, then click the Master Settings tab to find frame rate options.
- Common frame rates are 24 fps for film, 29.97 fps for broadcast, and 60 fps for high-motion content.
- Changing frame rate after you've started editing can cause audio sync problems and require re-rendering, so set it correctly before you add clips.
- If you've already edited with the wrong frame rate, create a new project with the correct settings and import your timeline as a nested clip.
How to open Project Settings in DaVinci Resolve
Start by clicking the hamburger menu — three horizontal lines — in the top left corner of the DaVinci Resolve window. This menu appears in the same location whether you're in the Cut, Edit, Fusion, Color, or Deliver page. From the dropdown, select Project Settings. A window will open showing all the settings for your current project.
If you haven't created a project yet, you can also set the frame rate when you first create one. In the Project Manager window (the screen you see when you open DaVinci Resolve), right-click on a project name or click the settings icon next to it, and you'll see frame rate options there as well.
Finding and changing the frame rate in Master Settings
Once Project Settings opens, look for the Master Settings tab at the top of the window. Click it. In the Master Settings panel, you'll see a section labeled Timeline Format. This is where the frame rate lives. You'll see a dropdown menu showing your current frame rate — it might say "24" or "29.97" or another number.
Click the dropdown to see all available frame rates. DaVinci Resolve offers 23.976 fps, 24 fps, 25 fps, 29.97 fps, 30 fps, 50 fps, 59.94 fps, and 60 fps. Select the frame rate that matches your footage or your intended output. Once you've selected it, click Save at the bottom of the Project Settings window to explore the change.
What happens when you change frame rate mid-project
If you've already imported clips and started editing, changing the frame rate can cause problems. Audio may drift out of sync with video because the timeline is recalculating playback speed. Effects and color corrections you've applied may need to be re-rendered. Clips may appear to speed up or slow down slightly as the timeline reinterprets them at the new frame rate.
For this reason, it's worth taking a moment to check your source footage frame rate before you create your project. Most cameras display frame rate in their settings or in the file properties. If you discover mid-project that you chose the wrong frame rate, the safest fix is to create a new project with the correct settings, then import your edited timeline as a nested clip into the new project.
Matching your project frame rate to your footage
Before you set your project frame rate, check the frame rate of your source footage. In DaVinci Resolve's Media Pool, right-click on a clip and select Clip Properties. A panel will show you the frame rate of that clip — look for a line that says "Frame Rate" or "fps". If all your clips are the same frame rate, set your project to match.
If you're mixing footage shot at different frame rates — for example, some 24 fps and some 60 fps — choose the frame rate of your primary footage. DaVinci Resolve can convert between frame rates during playback, but working in your native frame rate keeps the timeline responsive and reduces rendering time. You can always change playback speed on individual clips if you need slow-motion or speed-up effects.
Common frame rate choices and when to use them
24 fps is the standard for theatrical film and cinematic work. It's the frame rate of 35mm film and is used by most feature films and high-end productions. Use 24 fps if you're aiming for a film look or if your footage was shot at 24 fps.
29.97 fps (often labeled as 30 fps in menus) is the broadcast standard in North America and Japan. Most television, streaming platforms, and standard video content uses this frame rate. If you're delivering to YouTube, Vimeo, or broadcast television, 29.97 fps is the safe choice.
25 fps is the broadcast standard in Europe, Australia, and most of the rest of the world. If your project is for European broadcast or distribution, use 25 fps.
60 fps (or 59.94 fps) is used for high-motion content like sports, gaming, or action sequences. It produces smoother motion and is increasingly common for online video. Use 60 fps if your footage was shot at 60 fps or if you want the smoothest possible playback.
Checking your frame rate after you've set it
To confirm your project frame rate is set correctly, open Project Settings again and go to Master Settings. The Timeline Format section will show your current frame rate. You can also see it displayed in the bottom right corner of the Edit page timeline — look for a number followed by "fps" near the playback controls.
If you're unsure whether your frame rate is correct for your output, check the requirements of where your video will be delivered. YouTube accepts 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, and 60 fps. Most broadcast standards specify 29.97 fps or 25 fps. Film festivals typically require 24 fps. Matching your project frame rate to your delivery format prevents conversion steps that can introduce artifacts or sync issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change frame rate after I've edited my whole project?
Technically yes, but it's risky. Changing frame rate mid-project can cause audio to drift out of sync and force re-rendering of effects. If you've already edited significantly, create a new project with the correct frame rate, then import your timeline as a nested clip. This preserves your edits while keeping the timeline stable.
What's the difference between 29.97 fps and 30 fps?
29.97 fps is the broadcast standard in North America and Japan, while 30 fps is a rounded number sometimes used in software menus. For broadcast work, always choose 29.97 fps. For online video and most other purposes, the difference is negligible, but 29.97 fps is more technically correct for professional work.
My footage is 60 fps but I want to deliver at 24 fps. What frame rate should my project be?
Set your project to 24 fps. DaVinci Resolve will interpret your 60 fps footage at the 24 fps timeline rate, which will slow down the motion. If you want true slow-motion, you can also change the clip speed to 40% (60 divided by 24), which will give you smooth slow-motion without frame blending artifacts.
Where do I find frame rate if I'm using the Cut page instead of the Edit page?
Frame rate settings are the same across all pages in DaVinci Resolve. Click the hamburger menu in the top left, select Project Settings, go to Master Settings, and adjust Timeline Format. The setting applies to your entire project regardless of which page you're working on.
Does changing frame rate affect clips I've already color-graded?
Color corrections themselves are not frame-rate dependent, so they'll stay applied. However, if you've used time-based effects like motion blur or temporal noise reduction, changing frame rate may require those effects to be re-rendered. It's another reason to set frame rate correctly before you start color work.