As design and video professionals, we know that the right presentation is just as important as the content itself.
In video editing, the frame is your canvas, and its shape—the aspect ratio—defines how your audience experiences the final picture.
Getting the aspect ratio right is a foundational step, whether you’re creating a cinematic film or a viral social media clip.
Changing the screen size can seem complex, but with the right tools, it becomes a straightforward part of your workflow.
This guide from Designer’s Choice is built from our hands-on experience to give you the clear, practical steps you need. We’ll walk through how to manage the aspect ratio for your entire project in DaVinci Resolve, ensuring your creative vision is always displayed perfectly.
How to Change Aspect Ratio in DaVinci Resolve? Step-by-Step Guide
Changing the aspect ratio in DaVinci Resolve can be done at the project level, affecting all clips, or on a clip-by-clip basis.
Here’s how to handle it in a few simple steps.
Changing the Timeline Aspect Ratio
The most common method to set the aspect ratio for your entire project is by adjusting the timeline settings. This ensures every part of your video conforms to the same frame size.
- Open Project Settings: With your project open in DaVinci Resolve, look for the gear icon at the bottom-right corner of the interface. Clicking this opens the Project Settings window.
- Navigate to Master Settings: Inside the Project Settings, make sure you are on the Master Settings tab. This is where the primary controls for your project live.
- Adjust Timeline Resolution: Find the “Timeline Resolution” option. This setting directly controls your project’s aspect ratio. You can either choose a preset from the dropdown menu (like 1920 x 1080 for a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio) or enter a custom video resolution manually. For instance, to create a vertical video, you would enter 1080 x 1920.
- Check Pixel Aspect Ratio: For most digital video formats, the “Pixel Aspect Ratio” should be set to Square Pixels. This is the standard unless you are working with specific broadcast or anamorphic formats.
- Save Your Changes: Click “Save” to apply the new aspect ratio to your project’s timeline. All clips in the media pool will now be placed within this new frame.
You can also change the settings for a specific timeline without altering the entire project.
To do this, go to the Media Pool, right-click on the timeline you want to modify, and select “Timelines” > “Timeline Settings.” Uncheck the “Use Project Settings” box to unlock the resolution and aspect ratio controls for just that timeline.
Adjusting Individual Clip Aspect Ratios
After changing the timeline’s aspect ratio, some of your clips may not fit the new frame correctly. You might see black bars on the sides or top and bottom. You can fix this using the Inspector panel.
- Select the Clip: On the Edit Page, click on a clip in your timeline that needs adjustment.
- Open the Inspector: With the clip selected, open the Inspector panel in the top-right corner.
- Use Transform and Sizing Controls: Under the “Transform” controls, you can adjust the “Zoom” and “Position” to reframe your shot within the new aspect ratio.
- Adjust Image Scaling: For more advanced control, go to the “Sizing” options in the Inspector. Here, you can change the Image Scaling settings to tell DaVinci Resolve how to handle clips with different aspect ratios. Options like “Scale full frame with crop” will zoom the clip to fill the screen, automatically removing any black bars.
Using Output Blanking For Cinematic Aspect Ratios
If you want to create a cinematic look without changing your project’s fundamental video resolution, Output Blanking is an excellent tool. It adds letterboxes (black bars at the top and bottom) over your video, simulating a wider aspect ratio.
- Go to Timeline Menu: In the top menu bar, click on “Timeline.”
- Select Output Blanking: From the dropdown menu, choose “Output Blanking.”
- Choose an Aspect Ratio: You’ll see a list of common aspect ratios, such as 2.39:1 or 2.40:1, which are popular for cinematic widescreen looks. Select your desired aspect ratio.
This overlay will be applied to the entire project, giving it a widescreen feel without you having to crop or resize any footage.
Understanding Aspect Ratios In Video Editing
To effectively use these tools, it helps to have a clear picture of what aspect ratios are and which ones are used for different platforms.
What is Aspect Ratio?
In simple terms, an aspect ratio is the relationship between the width and height of an image or screen. It’s written as a formula, like 16:9, where the first number represents the width and the second represents the height.
This ratio determines the shape of the video frame and is independent of the actual video resolution, which is the number of pixels in the image (e.g., 1920×1080 pixels). A video with a resolution of 1920×1080 and one with a resolution of 1280×720 both have a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Common Aspect Ratios For Social Media and Film
The desired aspect ratio for your video depends entirely on where it will be viewed. Using the correct one ensures your video fills the screen size properly and looks professional.
- 16:9: The standard for widescreen TVs, YouTube, and most online video platforms. It is the default for most cameras.
- 9:16: This is the vertical format used for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. It’s simply the 16:9 ratio flipped on its side.
- 1:1: The square format, popular on Instagram and Facebook feeds. It provides a good balance between vertical and horizontal space on a mobile screen.
- 4:3: The old standard for television before widescreen became common. It’s making a comeback for stylistic purposes in some video editing projects.
- 2.39:1: A popular cinematic widescreen aspect ratio used in many blockbuster films to create an immersive, panoramic viewing experience.
Advanced Aspect Ratio Adjustments In DaVinci Resolve
For professionals who need more control, DaVinci Resolve offers advanced features for managing even the most unique framing requirements.
Setting Custom Aspect Ratios
If the presets don’t meet your needs, you can define your own aspect ratio.
In the Project Settings > Master Settings > Timeline Resolution menu, simply type your custom width and height dimensions into the boxes. DaVinci Resolve will automatically calculate the resulting aspect ratio.
This is perfect for projects with specific display requirements, like video installations or non-standard screen sizes.
Working With Anamorphic Footage
Anamorphic footage is filmed with a special lens that squeezes a wider image onto a standard sensor.
In post-production, this footage needs to be “de-squeezed” to reveal its intended widescreen aspect ratio.
DaVinci Resolve handles this through the “Pixel Aspect Ratio” setting. Instead of Square Pixels, you would select an option like “CinemaScope” to correctly interpret the footage, ensuring it displays in its proper full frame without distortion.
Using Smart Reframe For Different Aspect Ratios
Creating multiple versions of a video for different aspect ratios (e.g., a 16:9 YouTube video and a 9:16 TikTok clip) used to be a time-consuming process of manual reframing. With the Smart Reframe feature (available in DaVinci Resolve Studio), you can automate this.
Located under the “Timeline” menu, Smart Reframe analyzes the content of your clip and automatically repositions it to keep the main subject in the frame when you switch to a new aspect ratio.
This is a powerful tool for quickly generating social media-ready content from a master widescreen edit.
FAQ’s:
How Do I Change the Aspect Ratio in DaVinci Resolve?
Go to Project Settings (gear icon), select the Master Settings tab, and change the Timeline Resolution to your desired aspect ratio. Click “Save” to apply the change to your entire project.
Can I Change the Aspect Ratio of an Existing Project in DaVinci Resolve?
Yes. Open Project Settings, go to the Master Settings tab, and adjust the Timeline Resolution. Be aware that this may require you to reframe existing clips in your timeline to fit the new aspect ratio.
What is the Best Aspect Ratio For YouTube Videos in DaVinci Resolve?
The best and most common aspect ratio for YouTube is 16:9. You can set this in DaVinci Resolve by choosing a timeline resolution like 1920×1080 (1080p) or 3840×2160 (4K).
How Do I Make A Vertical Video (9:16) in DaVinci Resolve?
Go to Project Settings. Set Timeline Resolution to 1080 by 1920. This makes a frame with a 9 by 16 ratio. Now, your video will fit well on TikTok and Instagram Reels. The size is best for these apps. You can share your video without any problem.
How Do I Crop A Video to Fit A New Aspect Ratio in DaVinci Resolve?
After setting a new aspect ratio for your timeline, select a clip and use the “Zoom” control in the Inspector panel to enlarge the video until it fills the frame, effectively cropping out the excess parts.
How Do I Remove Black Bars After Changing the Aspect Ratio?
Black bars appear when a clip’s aspect ratio doesn’t match the timeline’s. To remove them, select the clip, go to the Inspector panel, and increase the “Zoom” until the video fills the screen. Alternatively, under “Sizing,” set the Image Scaling to “Scale full frame with crop.”
Can I Export Videos in Different Aspect Ratios in DaVinci Resolve?
Yes, you can change the size of your project’s main timeline before you save it. You can also make new timelines for each size you need. After that, you can save each one by itself. This way, you get the aspect ratio you want for every timeline.
How Do I Create Multiple Aspect Ratio Versions of the Same Video?
The best practice is to edit your main video first. Then, create new timelines with different aspect ratios (e.g., 1:1, 9:16). Copy and paste the clips from your master timeline into the new ones and use the Inspector panel or Smart Reframe to adjust the framing for each version.
What is the Aspect Ratio For Cinematic Widescreen in DaVinci Resolve?
A common aspect ratio for a cinematic look is 2.39:1. You can achieve this by setting a custom timeline resolution (e.g., 1920×803) or by using the “Output Blanking” feature to add letterboxes over a standard 16:9 video.
How Do I Change the Aspect Ratio Dynamically in DaVinci Resolve?
You can animate the aspect ratio using keyframes on the “Sizing” or “Transform” properties in the Inspector panel. For example, you could keyframe the “Zoom” and “Position” to create a dynamic transition from a full frame shot to a letterboxed one.
Can I Use Adjustment Clips to Manage Different Aspect Ratios in DaVinci Resolve?
Yes, Adjustment Clips are a great way to apply sizing changes across multiple clips. For example, you can add an Adjustment Clip over your timeline and use its Inspector panel to set a specific crop or sizing, which will affect all clips underneath it.
What Resolution Should I Use For 4:3 Aspect Ratio Videos in DaVinci Resolve?
To get a 4:3 aspect ratio, use the 1440×1080 video size. This size is often used for HD videos. It keeps good quality. The picture will fit nicely inside the more square 4:3 frame. This helps your video look great and keeps the right shape.
How Do I Resize Multiple Clips At Once In DaVinci Resolve?
Select all the clips you want to resize in the timeline (by holding Shift or dragging a box over them). Then, any changes you make in the Inspector panel to “Zoom” or “Position” will be applied to all selected clips simultaneously.
What is the Best Export Format For Different Aspect Ratios in DaVinci Resolve?
The format (e.g., MP4, MOV) is less important than the settings. For any aspect ratio, using the H.264 or H.265 codec is generally recommended for a good balance of quality and file size, especially for online platforms.
Can I Automate Aspect Ratio Changes For Multiple Exports in DaVinci Resolve?
While there isn’t a single-click “export all ratios” button, you can streamline the process. Set up different timelines for each aspect ratio, then add each timeline to the Render Queue on the Deliver page. This allows you to batch-export all versions in one go.
How Do I Apply Aspect Ratio Overlays in DaVinci Resolve?
You can use the “Output Blanking” feature under the “Timeline” menu to apply standard cinematic overlays. For custom overlays, you can create a transparent PNG image with your desired frame and place it on a video track above your footage.
What Are the Recommended Aspect Ratios For Different Social Media Platforms?
- YouTube: 16:9 (horizontal), 9:16 (for Shorts)
- Instagram: 1:1 (square), 4:5 (vertical for feed posts), 9:16 (for Reels and Stories)
- TikTok: 9:16
- Facebook: 1:1, 4:5, 16:9, 9:16 (flexible)
- X (Twitter): 16:9, 1:1
Can I Use Keyframes to Animate Aspect Ratio Transitions?
Yes. In the Inspector panel, you can enable keyframes for properties like “Zoom” and the cropping parameters. By setting keyframes at different points in your clip, you can create smooth animated transitions from one apparent aspect ratio to another.
How Do I Convert A Widescreen Video to Square Format Without Losing Quality?
Set your timeline resolution to a square format (e.g., 1080×1080).
Then, for each clip, use the “Position” and “Zoom” controls in the Inspector panel to reframe the action. The key is to reframe creatively, not just zoom in, to ensure the most important part of the shot is visible in the square frame. This maintains the original clip’s quality.
Conclusion
Mastering the aspect ratio in DaVinci Resolve is a key skill that transforms your video editing from amateur to professional.
Whether you are changing the timeline resolution in your project settings, adjusting a single clip in the inspector panel, or creating multiple versions for different aspect ratios, the tools are at your fingertips.
Beginning with the proper frame guarantees that your story appears precisely as you wish, regardless of the screen. Having authority over the end image enables you to produce refined, compelling work suitable for any client or platform.
