Speed is one of the most powerful storytelling tools in video editing. Whether you want to create dramatic slow motion, high-energy hyperlapses, or perfectly timed transitions, adjusting clip speed in DaVinci Resolve gives you complete creative control. Fortunately, Resolve offers multiple ways to modify speed — from simple percentage changes to advanced retiming curves that rival high-end post-production tools.
TLDR: Changing clip speed in DaVinci Resolve can be done using the Change Clip Speed option, Retime Controls, Retime Curve, or Time Remapping tools. Beginners can quickly adjust speed with a right-click menu, while advanced users can create smooth speed ramps using keyframes. Each method offers different levels of control, making Resolve suitable for both simple edits and cinematic effects. Mastering these tools dramatically improves pacing and visual impact.
In this guide, you’ll learn every major way to change clip speed in DaVinci Resolve, when to use each method, and pro tips to make your edits look clean and professional.
Contents
1. The Quickest Method: Change Clip Speed
If you need a fast, straightforward solution, the Change Clip Speed option is your best friend.
Best for: Quick adjustments like making a clip 2x faster or 50% slower.
How to Use It:
- Go to the Edit page.
- Right-click the clip in your timeline.
- Select Change Clip Speed.
- Adjust the percentage value (e.g., 200% for double speed, 50% for half speed).
- Click Change.
You can also:
- Reverse the clip.
- Enable ripple sequence to maintain timeline alignment.
- Match speed to a specific duration.
Pro Tip: If you’re slowing down footage, results look significantly better when shot at higher frame rates (60fps, 120fps, or higher).
2. Using Retime Controls for More Flexibility
If you want more interactive control, Retime Controls provide on-clip speed adjustments directly in the timeline.
Best for: Speed ramps and multiple speed changes within one clip.
How to Activate Retime Controls:
- Select your clip.
- Press Ctrl + R (Windows) or Cmd + R (Mac).
A speed bar appears on your clip, showing the current speed percentage.
From here you can:
- Click the dropdown arrow on the speed label.
- Choose preset speeds like 200%, 400%, or 50%.
- Select Add Speed Point to create variable speeds in the same clip.
This is where creative possibilities open up. By adding speed points, you can split the clip into sections and assign different speeds to each part.
For example:
- Start at 100% speed.
- Ramp up to 400% for action.
- Drop to 40% for dramatic slow motion.
The transitions between these sections can later be smoothed using the Retime Curve tool.
3. Creating Cinematic Speed Ramps with Retime Curve
Speed ramps — gradual transitions between fast and slow motion — are popular in sports videos, travel films, and cinematic YouTube edits.
Best for: Smooth, professional-looking speed transitions.
How to Access Retime Curve:
- Enable Retime Controls (Ctrl/Cmd + R).
- Click the dropdown arrow on the clip.
- Select Retime Curve.
You’ll now see a graph representing speed changes over time.
Steps to Create a Smooth Speed Ramp:
- Add speed points using Retime Controls.
- Open Retime Curve.
- Change the curve dropdown from “Retime Frame” to “Retime Speed.”
- Drag keyframe handles to create smooth bezier curves.
This replaces abrupt speed jumps with fluid transitions.
Why This Matters:
Without smoothing, speed changes feel mechanical. With curve adjustments, your video gains cinematic polish.
4. Changing Duration Instead of Percentage
Sometimes you don’t care about speed percentage — you just need the clip to fit a specific time slot.
Using Change Clip Speed, you can adjust the Duration value directly. DaVinci Resolve automatically calculates the necessary speed adjustment.
Example:
If your clip is 10 seconds long but needs to fit into 5 seconds, simply set duration to 5 seconds. Resolve sets the speed to 200% automatically.
This method is especially helpful for:
- Commercial timing requirements
- Music beat matching
- Strict social media time limits
5. Using Blade Tool for Advanced Speed Segments
Another simple approach is manually cutting your clip into sections using the Blade Tool (B).
How It Works:
- Press B to activate Blade Tool.
- Click on the timeline to split the clip.
- Select each segment individually.
- Adjust speed using Change Clip Speed or Retime Controls.
Why use this method?
- Clear visual separation of speed segments.
- Precise control over exact edit points.
- Helpful for beginners uncomfortable with speed points.
6. Frame Interpolation for Smoother Slow Motion
When slowing down footage, playback can look choppy. That’s where Frame Interpolation comes in.
To Enable It:
- Select your clip.
- Open the Inspector.
- Scroll to Retime and Scaling.
- Change Retime Process to:
- Nearest
- Frame Blend
- Optical Flow
Optical Flow produces the smoothest slow motion by generating artificial in-between frames.
Note: It requires more processing power but delivers superior results.
Comparison of Speed Change Methods
| Method | Ease of Use | Best For | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change Clip Speed | Very Easy | Quick speed adjustments | Beginner |
| Retime Controls | Moderate | Multiple speed sections | Beginner to Intermediate |
| Retime Curve | Advanced | Smooth cinematic ramps | Intermediate to Advanced |
| Blade Tool + Speed Change | Easy | Manual speed segmentation | Beginner |
| Frame Interpolation | Advanced Setup | Smooth slow motion | Intermediate |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Slowing 24fps footage too much: Results in choppy playback.
- Forgetting to smooth ramps: Creates jarring transitions.
- Not checking audio: Speed changes distort sound unless retimed separately.
- Ignoring Ripple Timeline: Can throw off sync with other clips.
Creative Ways to Use Speed Changes
Once you understand the mechanics, speed editing becomes a storytelling tool:
- Highlight peak action moments with a slow-motion drop.
- Create urgency with quick punch-ins to 300–500% speed.
- Enhance transitions by ramping into whip pans.
- Music synchronization by ramping on beat drops.
Professional editors often combine speed ramps with motion blur and sound design to amplify impact.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to change clip speed in DaVinci Resolve unlocks a new level of editing creativity. From simple percentage adjustments to polished cinematic speed ramps, Resolve provides tools for every experience level.
Start with Change Clip Speed if you’re new. Move to Retime Controls as you grow comfortable. Finally, master the Retime Curve and Optical Flow for professional-quality results.
Speed manipulation isn’t just about faster or slower playback — it’s about emotion, pacing, and storytelling. When used thoughtfully, it transforms ordinary footage into dynamic visual narratives.
Now open DaVinci Resolve, experiment with your timeline, and start bending time to your creative vision.