# DaVinci Resolve export settings for Instagram Reels

> Render Reels from DaVinci Resolve's Deliver page as a 9:16 MP4 with H.264 and AAC audio. What the free edition covers and what needs Studio, checked 3 Nov 2026.
- **Author**: Marxx
- **Published**: 2026-11-05
- **Category**: Ad specs
- **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-guides/davinci-resolve-export-settings-for-instagram-reels

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In DaVinci Resolve, open the Deliver page and render a 9:16 MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio (checked 3 Nov 2026). Use 1080 x 1920, or Meta's 1440 x 2560.

The free edition covers this. Blackmagic's Studio page lists hardware-accelerated H.264 and H.265 among Studio's extras, and its codec list says Windows gets more profiles and GPU acceleration in Studio.

## Steps

Blackmagic's feature guides give no click-by-click Deliver path, so these steps name the task and the page.

1. Set up a vertical timeline. Resolve 21 added square and vertical resolutions to the project and timeline settings.
2. Open the **Deliver** page. Blackmagic describes it as giving full control over encoding options and formats, with a render queue.
3. In the render settings, choose an MP4 file with H.264 video.
4. Set the resolution to match your timeline: 1080 x 1920 or 1440 x 2560.
5. Set the audio to AAC stereo at 128 kbps or higher, which Meta asks for.
6. Add the job to the render queue and start the render.

Meta also wants a fixed frame rate and gives no number. Match the frame rate you filmed. For the full list, see [Reels export settings](/guides/best-export-settings-for-instagram-reels).

## Free or Studio

| Feature | Edition |
|---|---|
| Export up to Ultra HD 3840 x 2160, 8-bit, up to 60 fps | Free |
| Manual subtitles | Free |
| Smart Reframe (16:9 to 9:16) | Studio |
| Hardware-accelerated H.264 and H.265 | Studio (on Windows) |
| Render size above Ultra HD | Studio |

Source: Blackmagic's Resolve 21.1 feature table, Studio page and Resolve 20 codec list. A 9:16 Reel at 1440 x 2560 sits under Ultra HD, so you do not need Studio for the size.

DaVinci Resolve is free. Studio has a list price of US$295, on sale for US$236 until 20 Nov 2026. In India it is Rs 25,980 on sale (list Rs 31,980), excluding GST (checked 3 Nov 2026). See [DaVinci Resolve pricing](/prices/davinci-resolve-pricing).

## Audio and captions

The Deliver page's Render Settings has an Audio tab with a "Normalize Audio" box (Resolve 19 guide). Meta publishes no loudness target, so this is your call.

To make a wide shot vertical, Studio's Smart Reframe has a Mode setting. Choose Auto, Pan Only or Tilt Only. For text, read [how to add subtitles in DaVinci Resolve](/guides/how-to-add-subtitles-in-davinci-resolve).

## Cut in the browser first

[Marxx's AI video editor](/features/ai-video-editor) can export an editable timeline for DaVinci Resolve. Cut and caption in the browser, then render in Resolve. We make Marxx.

## FAQ

### Can the free DaVinci Resolve export Reels?

Yes. The free edition edits up to Ultra HD at 60 fps in 8-bit, which covers a 9:16 Reel. Studio adds extras, such as hardware-accelerated H.264 and H.265 on Windows.

### Which Resolve page do I export from?

The Deliver page. It holds the render settings and the render queue.

### Do I need Smart Reframe?

Only if you are converting a 16:9 clip to 9:16. It is a Studio feature. In the free edition, set a vertical timeline and frame each shot yourself.

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