DaVinci Resolve does not have a single “Merge Clips” button, which confuses a lot of editors the first time they go looking for one. The good news is that three distinct methods cover every merging scenario you will actually encounter. Whether you need a reusable single unit, a simple back-to-back sequence, or one finished video file on your hard drive, this guide walks you through each approach step by step.

What “Merging Clips” Actually Means in DaVinci Resolve

Before diving into steps, it helps to know that “merging” in DaVinci Resolve is not one action but three different workflows depending on what you actually want to achieve.

If you want to combine multiple clips into a single, reusable clip that lives in your Media Pool, you need a Compound Clip. This is the closest equivalent to a true merge and it stays fully editable. If you simply want clips to play one after another on the timeline, you are really talking about appending clips sequentially, which keeps them as separate items. If your goal is a single merged video file saved to your hard drive, you need to render through the Deliver page, which bakes everything into one permanent output.

Understanding which goal applies to your project saves a lot of frustration. For example, if you are combining interview footage captured across multiple takes, and you recorded audio with a wireless mic like the Hollyland LARK MAX 2, having clean, consistent audio across all clips makes the merge process far smoother regardless of which method you choose.

Method 1: Create a Compound Clip (Best for True Merging)

A Compound Clip is DaVinci Resolve’s native way to group multiple clips into one single unit. It is non-destructive, meaning all your original edits and source files remain intact and accessible at any time. This is the method to reach for when you need to apply effects, color grade, or export a group of clips as if they were one.

Here is how to create a Compound Clip on the Edit Page:

1. Open your project on the Edit Page (not the Cut Page).

2. On the timeline, click the first clip you want to include, then hold Shift and click each additional clip to select them all.

3. Right-click on any of the selected clips.

4. Select New Compound Clip from the context menu.

   

5. Give the compound clip a descriptive name in the dialog box that appears.

   

6. Click Create. The selected clips collapse into a single clip on the timeline, and a copy is saved to your Media Pool.

   

Your clips are now merged into one reusable unit. You can move it, trim it, apply effects to it, or duplicate it anywhere in your project just like a regular clip.

How to Edit or Decompose a Compound Clip Later

One of the biggest concerns editors have about merging is losing the ability to make changes afterward. Compound Clips solve this completely.

1. To open and edit the compound clip again, right-click it on the timeline and select “Open in Timeline” to view all original clips inside and make changes.

   

2. Make any edits you need, then click the back arrow or your project timeline tab to return to your main timeline.

   

3. To fully break the compound clip back into its individual parts, right-click the compound clip on the timeline.

4. Select Decompose Compound Clip. The original clips are restored in place on the timeline.

   

No footage is ever lost in this process.

Method 2: Append Clips Sequentially on the Timeline

Sometimes “merging” clips just means making them play one after another. If you do not need a single exportable unit and just want clips lined up in order, appending them to the timeline is the right approach. This method keeps every clip independent and fully editable.

Here is how to do it on the Edit Page or Cut Page:

1. In the Media Pool, select the first clip you want to add to your timeline.

2. Right-click the clip and choose Append to End of Timeline, or use the keyboard shortcut F12 (Edit Page default).

   

3. Repeat for each additional clip in the order you want them to appear.

4. Alternatively, drag clips directly from the Media Pool onto the timeline and arrange them in sequence by dragging left or right.

5. To keep audio and video locked together while repositioning clips, make sure Link Clips is enabled (right-click a clip to check).

   

This method is ideal for simple cuts, rough assemblies, or any situation where you know you will keep adjusting individual clips throughout your edit. The clips remain separate on the timeline, so there is no single merged unit to export from here — for that, see Method 3.

Method 3: Flatten and Export as a Single Clip

When your goal is one merged video file saved to disk, the answer is rendering through the Deliver page. This is the permanent option — the original individual clips are baked into one output file, so changes require going back to your timeline.

1. Arrange all the clips you want to merge in order on your Edit Page timeline.

2. If needed, use In and Out points (press I and O) to mark the exact portion you want to export.

   

3. Navigate to the Deliver page (or use Quick Export from the File menu for a faster workflow).

4. In the Render Settings panel, choose your export format (H.264, H.265, ProRes, etc.) and output destination.

5. Under the render range options, select In/Out Range if you marked points, or Entire Timeline to capture everything.

6. Click Add to Render Queue, then click Render All. DaVinci Resolve outputs one single merged video file to your chosen folder.

   

This is the right method for delivering a finished project, creating a reusable master file, or handing off a merged clip to another editor or platform.

Which Method Should You Use? (Quick Comparison)

FAQ

Can I merge clips in DaVinci Resolve without losing audio sync?

Yes. When you create a Compound Clip, audio and video tracks inside it are locked together as a single unit. As long as your clips were properly synced before you created the compound clip, the sync is preserved. If you are working with multi-track audio, double-click the compound clip to verify track alignment before exporting.

How do I merge clips in the Cut Page vs. the Edit Page?

Compound Clips are only available on the Edit Page. If you right-click a clip on the Cut Page, the New Compound Clip option will not appear. The Cut Page does support Append to End of Timeline, which lines clips up sequentially. For any true merging into a single unit, switch to the Edit Page first.

Does merging clips reduce quality in DaVinci Resolve?

No. Compound Clips are non-destructive and do not re-encode or alter your source footage in any way. Quality only changes when you render or export, and that is determined by the codec and settings you choose in the Deliver page, not by the merge method itself.

Can I merge clips in DaVinci Resolve Free (non-Studio)?

Yes. All three methods covered in this article, including Compound Clips, timeline appending, and rendering via the Deliver page, are fully available in the free version of DaVinci Resolve. No Studio license is required for any of these workflows.

Next Steps

To recap: use a Compound Clip when you need a flexible, editable merged unit; use Append to Timeline when you simply want clips to play in sequence; and use the Deliver page when you need one final merged file on disk. Each method fits a different stage of your workflow. Once your clips are merged, a natural next step is to learn how to color grade a Compound Clip or export your final cut for publishing.