How to Add Subtitles in DaVinci Resolve

Import the .srt from the Media Pool and drag it onto the timeline, where Resolve adds a subtitle track; it reads SRT, TTML and XML. Automatic subtitles — Timeline > Create Subtitles from Audio — are only in the paid Studio version, which supports 57 languages once you download the extended language pack.

At a glance

Imports	SRT, TTML, XML, embedded MXF/IMF subtitles
Built-in auto captions	Studio only ($236): Create Subtitles from Audio, 57 languages
Export as a file	SRT, WebVTT, TTML
Burn into the video	Yes, from the Deliver page
Free version	Imports, edits and exports subtitles, but can't generate them

Import an SRT file

These menu names come from Blackmagic's feature guides and can differ slightly between versions.

In the Media Pool, right-click and choose Import Subtitle, then pick the .srt. It appears as a subtitle clip.
Drag it onto the timeline; Resolve creates a subtitle track above the video tracks.
Select a subtitle on the track to edit its text and timing.

Create subtitles from the audio (Studio)

For languages other than English, download Extended Transcription Language Support in the Extras Download Manager and enable it in Project Settings > Subtitles and Transcription.
Open the timeline and, if needed, set In and Out points.
Choose Timeline > Create Subtitles from Audio, set the language, caption preset and maximum characters per line, then Start.

Export or burn in the subtitles

On the Deliver page, open the subtitle settings under Video and choose to burn the subtitles into the video or export them as a separate SRT, WebVTT or TTML file.

Things that trip people up

Create Subtitles from Audio is Studio only; the free version doesn't have the command.
When importing an SRT as a transcription (Audio Transcription > Import from Subtitles), the clip timecode must match the SRT timecode.
Automatic subtitles can fail when dialogue clips overlap on several tracks — mute the tracks you don't need.
A Fusion template on the subtitle track overrides track and per-caption styling.

Questions

Can the free DaVinci Resolve make subtitles automatically?

No. Create Subtitles from Audio is only in DaVinci Resolve Studio. The free version can import, edit and export subtitle files.

Which subtitle files can DaVinci Resolve import?

SRT, TTML and XML, plus subtitles embedded in MXF and IMF files.

Can DaVinci Resolve export VTT?

Yes. The Deliver page exports subtitles as SRT, WebVTT or TTML, or burns them into the video.

How many languages does Resolve auto-subtitling support?

57 in Resolve 20 and later, after downloading the extended language pack; some are in beta.