Where to put fonts so DaVinci Resolve finds them
DaVinci Resolve reads fonts from your operating system's font folder, not from a folder inside the program itself. This means you install fonts the same way you would for any other application — by adding them to your system, then restarting DaVinci Resolve so it sees them.
On Windows, fonts live in C:\Windows\Fonts. On Mac, they live in /Library/Fonts or ~/Library/Fonts (the second one is your personal fonts folder). DaVinci Resolve checks both locations, but system-wide fonts in the main Fonts folder are more reliable.
The most common mistake is installing a font, opening DaVinci Resolve, and expecting it to appear immediately. The program only reads the font list when it starts up. If you install a font and DaVinci Resolve is already running, you must close and reopen it.
Key Takeaways
- Fonts must be installed to your operating system's font folder, not to a DaVinci Resolve folder, because the program reads system fonts only.
- After installing a font, close DaVinci Resolve completely and reopen it; the program does not detect new fonts while running.
- On Windows, use the Fonts folder in Control Panel or drag files directly to C:\Windows\Fonts; on Mac, drag files to /Library/Fonts.
- Font files must be in a supported format — TrueType (.ttf), OpenType (.otf), or Variable fonts (.ttf or .otf) — or DaVinci Resolve will not recognize them.
- If a font appears installed but does not show in DaVinci Resolve, restart your computer, not just the program, to force a full system refresh.
Installing fonts on Windows
The easiest method on Windows is to right-click the font file and select Install. This works for .ttf and .otf files. Windows will copy the file to C:\Windows\Fonts automatically and register it with your system.
If the Install option does not appear, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\Fonts directly. Then drag your font files into that folder. Windows will install them. You can also open Control Panel, go to Appearance and Personalization, then Fonts, and drag files there.
After installation, close DaVinci Resolve completely — not just minimize it — and reopen it. The font should now appear in the text tool's font menu. If it does not, restart your computer and try again. Sometimes Windows needs a full restart to register fonts system-wide.
Installing fonts on Mac
On Mac, open Finder and navigate to /Library/Fonts (this is the system-wide fonts folder visible to all users). Drag your .ttf or .otf files directly into this folder. Mac will not ask for confirmation; the files will simply appear in the folder.
Alternatively, you can use Font Book, which comes built into macOS. Open Font Book from Applications, then drag font files into the window. Font Book will install them to the correct location automatically. This method is slightly safer because Font Book checks the font file for corruption before installing.
After dragging files into either location, close DaVinci Resolve and reopen it. The fonts will appear in the text tool. If they do not show up, restart your Mac. Some fonts require a full system restart to register properly, especially if you have other design applications running.
Checking that your fonts installed correctly
Before troubleshooting, verify that the font file itself is valid. A corrupted or incomplete font file will not install, even if it appears in your Fonts folder. Try opening the font file by double-clicking it — your system should show a preview. If nothing happens or you see an error, the file is damaged and you need a fresh copy.
On Windows, open Settings, go to Personalization, then Fonts, and scroll through the list. Your newly installed font should appear alphabetically by its name. On Mac, open Font Book and look for the font in the list. Both tools show you exactly what your system recognizes.
If the font appears in your system's font list but not in DaVinci Resolve, the issue is usually that DaVinci Resolve has not restarted since installation. Close the program entirely — check your taskbar or Activity Monitor to make sure no DaVinci process is still running — then reopen it. If it still does not appear after a restart, try restarting your entire computer.
Font formats DaVinci Resolve supports
DaVinci Resolve reads TrueType (.ttf), OpenType (.otf), and Variable fonts in either format. These are the standard formats used by most font distributors. If you download a font and it has a different extension — .woff, .woff2, .fon, or .pfm — it will not work in DaVinci Resolve.
If you have a font in an unsupported format, you may be able to convert it using a free tool, but the simplest solution is to find the same font in .ttf or .otf format. Most fonts are available in multiple formats from their original source.
Some fonts come in a compressed folder with multiple files inside. Extract the entire folder first, then look for files ending in .ttf or .otf. Install only those files; ignore any .txt, .pdf, or license files in the folder.
Troubleshooting fonts that do not appear
If you have installed a font and it still does not show in DaVinci Resolve after restarting the program, try these steps in order. First, restart your computer entirely — not just DaVinci Resolve. Second, verify the font is actually in your system's font folder by checking Windows Settings or Mac Font Book. Third, try installing the font again from a fresh download, in case the original file was incomplete.
If the font appears in your system but DaVinci Resolve still does not show it, the font file may be corrupted or in an unsupported format. Try opening the font file directly on your system — double-click it — and see if your operating system can display a preview. If not, the file is damaged.
Another cause is font naming conflicts. If you have two fonts with the same name installed, your system may hide one of them. Check your font folder for duplicates. If you find them, delete the older or lower-quality version and restart DaVinci Resolve.
Using fonts from online sources safely
Many font websites offer free downloads. Google Fonts, DaFont, and Font Squirrel are common sources. Always download from the official website, not from third-party mirrors, because mirrors sometimes host corrupted or modified versions. Read the license before downloading — some fonts are free for personal use only, while others are free for commercial work.
After downloading, extract any compressed folders and look for .ttf or .otf files. Scan the files with your antivirus software if you are cautious, though reputable font sites are generally safe. Then install them to your system's font folder using the methods described above.
If a font download includes a setup file or installer, ignore it and install the font files manually instead. DaVinci Resolve does not need any special installer — it just reads fonts from your system folder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put fonts in a DaVinci Resolve folder instead of my system fonts folder?
No. DaVinci Resolve only reads fonts from your operating system's font folder. It does not have its own fonts directory. You must install fonts to C:\Windows\Fonts on Windows or /Library/Fonts on Mac.
Do I need to restart my computer every time I install a font?
Usually not. Closing and reopening DaVinci Resolve is enough. However, if a font does not appear after restarting the program, a full computer restart often fixes it. Some fonts require a system-level refresh to register properly.
What if a font file is corrupted?
Download the font again from the official source. If it still does not work, try a different font. Corrupted files cannot be repaired — you need a fresh copy. Verify the file by double-clicking it to see a preview before installing.
Can I use fonts from Adobe Creative Cloud in DaVinci Resolve?
Yes, if Adobe has installed them to your system font folder. DaVinci Resolve reads any font that your operating system recognizes. Adobe fonts installed through Creative Cloud appear in your system fonts, so DaVinci Resolve will see them.
Why does a font look different in DaVinci Resolve than in other programs?
DaVinci Resolve may render fonts differently depending on your graphics card and display settings. The font itself is the same, but the rendering engine is different. This is normal and does not indicate a problem with the font or the installation.