DaVinci Resolve Keyboard Shortcuts
100+ DaVinci Resolve shortcuts for editing, color grading, Fusion, and Fairlight. Searchable reference for Mac and Windows.
Playback
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Play / Pause | |
| Play forward (press again to speed up) | |
| Play backward | |
| Stop | |
| Step forward one frame | |
| Step backward one frame | |
| Next frame | |
| Previous frame | |
| Go to previous edit point | |
| Go to next edit point | |
| Go to timeline start | |
| Go to timeline end | |
| Play In to Out range | |
| Play around current frame |
Tools
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Selection Tool | |
| Trim Tool | |
| Blade Tool (Razor) | |
| Split clip at playhead | |
| Split all clips at playhead | |
| Dynamic Trim mode | |
| Toggle Snapping | |
| Swap clips |
Editing
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Copy | |
| Paste | |
| Cut | |
| Undo | |
| Redo | |
| Delete selected clip (leave gap) | |
| Ripple Delete (close gap) | |
| Duplicate clip | |
| Trim clip start to playhead | |
| Trim clip end to playhead | |
| Slip clip left | |
| Slip clip right | |
| Clear In and Out points |
Markers
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Mark In point | |
| Mark Out point | |
| Go to In point | |
| Go to Out point | |
| Clear In point | |
| Clear Out point | |
| Add Marker | |
| Go to previous marker | |
| Go to next marker | |
| Insert clip at playhead | |
| Overwrite clip at playhead | |
| Insert clip | |
| Overwrite clip | |
| Replace clip | |
| Place on Top |
Timeline
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Zoom in timeline | |
| Zoom out timeline | |
| Fit entire timeline in view | |
| Zoom in vertical | |
| Move clip up one track | |
| Move clip down one track | |
| Add track above | |
| Add track below |
Color
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Add Serial Node | |
| Add Parallel Node | |
| Add Layer Node | |
| Disable/Enable node | |
| Bypass all grades | |
| Disable all nodes | |
| Reset node grade | |
| Toggle highlight mode | |
| Step to next node | |
| Step to previous node | |
| Grab still |
Workspace
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Media page | |
| Cut page | |
| Edit page | |
| Fusion page | |
| Color page | |
| Fairlight (Audio) page | |
| Deliver page | |
| Toggle full screen viewer | |
| Toggle full screen timeline |
Audio
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Select all clips on track | |
| Increase volume 1dB | |
| Decrease volume 1dB | |
| Normalize audio levels |
Export
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Save project | |
| Save project as | |
| Quick Export | |
| Import media |
Pro tips
J-K-L is Your Foundation
J plays backward, K stops, L plays forward. Press multiple times to increase speed. Hold K + J or K + L to jog frame-by-frame. Master this before anything else.
Blade Tool vs Split Clip
B activates the Blade tool for clicking to cut, but Ctrl+B splits at the playhead without switching tools. Ctrl+Shift+B splits all tracks. The keyboard method is faster for most editing.
Use the Cut Page for Assembly
The Cut page (Shift+3) is designed for fast rough cuts. Source Viewer on top, Smart Insert, and auto-trimming make first passes much quicker than the Edit page.
Serial Nodes for Color Grading
Alt+S adds a Serial Node in the Color page. Build your grade in steps: Node 1 for exposure, Node 2 for color balance, Node 3 for creative look. Disable individual nodes with Ctrl+D.
Shift+Z to Fit Timeline
Lost in a long timeline? Shift+Z instantly zooms to show your entire project. Works in both Edit and Cut pages. Essential for getting your bearings.
Learn Dynamic Trim (P)
Press P for Dynamic Trim, then use J-K-L to trim in real-time while watching the result. Far more precise than dragging edit points. This is DaVinci Resolve's killer feature.
Frequently asked questions
Is DaVinci Resolve really free?
Yes! DaVinci Resolve (free version) includes professional editing, color grading, Fusion VFX, and Fairlight audio. The paid Studio version ($295 one-time) adds GPU acceleration, AI tools, HDR grading, and more effects - but the free version is remarkably full-featured.
What's the difference between the Cut and Edit pages?
The Cut page is designed for fast, linear editing - rough cuts, vlogs, and quick turnarounds. The Edit page is a traditional NLE with full control over tracks, effects, and complex edits. Many editors use Cut for assembly and Edit for fine-tuning.
How do I color grade in DaVinci Resolve?
Switch to the Color page (Shift+6). Use the color wheels for primary corrections (Lift, Gamma, Gain), add nodes (Alt+S) for layered adjustments, and use qualifiers to isolate specific colors. DaVinci Resolve's color tools are industry-leading.
How do I do a ripple delete?
Select a clip and press Backspace (or Fn+Delete on Mac). This deletes the clip and closes the gap. Regular Delete removes the clip but leaves a gap. You can also right-click → Ripple Delete.
Can I customize keyboard shortcuts?
Yes! Go to DaVinci Resolve → Keyboard Customization (or Ctrl+Alt+K). You can remap any shortcut, create presets, and even import keyboard layouts from Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or Avid.
How do I use Fusion for VFX?
Select a clip and switch to Fusion page (Shift+5). Fusion uses a node-based workflow: connect MediaIn → effects → MediaOut. Start with simple compositing - merge, color correct, and text - before diving into 3D or particles.
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