Video editing guide
How to Add Film Grain in DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve Studio includes a Film Grain ResolveFX effect with film-format presets. In the free version, Studio-only effects add a watermark to your render, so the practical free method is a grain overlay clip with the Overlay composite mode.
Published October 3, 2026 · Updated October 3, 2026 · Written by Maximilian Braun
Method 1: Overlay clip (free version)
Works in every version without a watermark.
- 1
Download an animated grain loop and import it into the Media Pool.
- 2
Place it on a video track above your footage in the Edit page.
- 3
Select the grain clip, open the Inspector, and under Composite set Composite Mode to Overlay (or Soft Light).
- 4
Lower Opacity to taste and extend or repeat the clip to cover the edit.
Make sure the grain clip covers the full frame. Scale a 1080p loop to 200% on a UHD timeline.
Method 2: Film Grain ResolveFX (Studio)
Procedural grain with film-format presets.
- 1
In the Color page, add a new serial node after your grade (Alt+S / Option+S).
- 2
Open the Effects library and drag Film Grain (ResolveFX Texture) onto the node.
- 3
Choose a preset, then adjust grain size, strength, and softness.
In the free version of Resolve this effect can be previewed, but renders with a watermark.
Method 3: Grain on a timeline node
One grain setting for the whole edit.
- 1
In the Color page, switch the node view from Clip to Timeline.
- 2
Add grain on a timeline node (Studio), so it sits on top of every clip's grade.
Recommended DaVinci Resolve grain settings
| Composite mode | Overlay or Soft Light |
|---|---|
| Overlay opacity | 40–80% |
| Grain placement | After the grade (last node or timeline node) |
Menu names and value ranges can change between DaVinci Resolve versions.
Tips for natural-looking grain
- Add grain after noise reduction and after the grade, never before.
- Check the render rather than the viewer at reduced playback quality.
- Slightly stronger grain survives streaming compression better than very fine grain.
Get a free grain overlay for DaVinci Resolve
Generate an animated grain loop or PNG in your browser, then blend it in DaVinci Resolve with Overlay. Free, no account, no watermark.
Film grain in DaVinci Resolve: FAQ
Is Film Grain free in DaVinci Resolve?
The Film Grain ResolveFX effect is a Studio feature. The free version can preview it, but renders it with a watermark. A grain overlay clip with the Overlay composite mode is the free alternative.
Where is the composite mode in Resolve?
Select the clip in the Edit page, open the Inspector, and find Composite Mode under the Composite section of the Video tab.
Can I use the downloaded grain loop in Resolve?
The loop downloads as an MP4, usually H.264, which Resolve imports on Windows and macOS. H.264 decoding in the free version of Resolve on Linux is limited; there, convert the file to a supported format such as DNxHR with ffmpeg first.