How to Add LUTs in DaVinci Resolve (Step-by-Step Guide)

Introduction

LUTs are the fastest way to give your footage a cinematic look — but knowing exactly where to put them in DaVinci Resolve trips up a lot of creators. Whether you're colour grading a fitness video, a travel vlog, or a short film, applying a LUT correctly can be the difference between footage that looks flat and footage that stops the scroll.

In this guide, you'll learn three different ways to add LUTs in DaVinci Resolve, how to control their intensity, and where to find high-quality LUT packs — both free and premium. Let's get into it.

What Is a LUT?

A LUT (Look-Up Table) is essentially a colour filter for your footage. It maps the colours in your original clip to a new set of values — transforming the look and feel of your video in a single click.

There are two main types:

• Technical LUTs — used to convert log footage (like S-Log or V-Log) into a standard colour space. These are a starting point, not a final look.
• Creative LUTs — used to apply a specific style or grade, like a warm film look, a teal-and-orange grade, or a high-contrast cinematic feel.

Creators use LUTs because they save time and create consistency across a project. Instead of manually grading every clip, you apply a LUT and make small adjustments from there.

What You'll Need

• DaVinci Resolve (the free version works perfectly for this)
• A LUT file in .cube or .3dl format
• Your footage imported into a timeline

How to Add LUTs in DaVinci Resolve: 3 Methods

Method 1: Via the Colour Page (Recommended)

This is the quickest and most flexible method for applying LUTs in DaVinci Resolve.

1. Open the Colour page (click the palette icon at the bottom of the screen).
2. Select the clip you want to grade in the timeline.
3. In the node editor, right-click on a node and hover over LUTs.
4. Browse your LUT library and click the one you want to apply.
5. The LUT is now applied to that node. You can adjust its strength using the Key Output Gain slider in the Key panel.

Pro tip: Always apply your LUT on a dedicated node — not your primary correction node. This keeps your grade clean and easy to adjust.

Method 2: Import LUTs into Your Library

If you've downloaded a LUT pack and want it available across all your projects, import it into DaVinci Resolve's LUT library.

1. Go to File → Import → LUT.
2. Navigate to your downloaded LUT files and select them.
3. They'll now appear in your LUT browser under the Colour page, ready to use in any project.

This is the best approach if you're using a premium LUT pack regularly — you only import once and it's always there.

Method 3: Using a PowerGrade or Still

For advanced users who want to save an entire grade — including a LUT — as a reusable preset:

1. Grade your clip exactly how you want it (including the LUT).
2. Right-click the clip in the viewer and select Grab Still.
3. In the Gallery, right-click the still and save it as a PowerGrade.
4. Apply it to any clip in any project with a single click.

This is ideal if you've built a signature look you want to reuse consistently across your content.

How to Adjust LUT Intensity

One of the most common mistakes creators make is applying a LUT at full strength. Most LUTs are designed to be blended, not slammed at 100%.

Here's how to dial it in:

• Key Output Gain: In the Key panel on the Colour page, reduce the Output Gain to around 60–80% for a more natural result.
• Serial node blending: Add a serial node after your LUT node and use it to pull back saturation or contrast if the LUT is too heavy.
• Opacity via Fusion: For precise blending, you can use Fusion to composite the graded and ungraded layers at a custom opacity.

The goal is for the LUT to enhance your footage, not overpower it. Trust your eyes over the numbers.

Where to Get LUTs for DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve comes with a small selection of built-in LUTs, but for a truly cinematic result, you'll want a dedicated pack.

At CCreation, we've built LUT packs specifically for creators — optimised for DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro. Our Cinematic LUTs collection includes a range of styles from clean and natural to bold and filmic, including the Cine Master LUT pack — one of our most popular tools for creators who want a professional grade without spending hours in the node editor.

If you're just getting started, our Free Plug-ins & Assets collection is a great place to begin — no commitment, just download and start experimenting.

And if you're working across multiple NLEs, check out our DaVinci Resolve Plugins & Templates collection for tools that go beyond colour grading.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying a LUT before colour correcting. Always correct first (exposure, white balance, contrast), then apply your creative LUT. Grading order matters.
• Using a log LUT on Rec.709 footage. Log LUTs are designed for flat, log-encoded footage. Applying one to standard footage will make it look washed out and wrong.
• Going too heavy. A subtle grade almost always looks more professional than an over-processed one. Start at 70% intensity and work from there.
• Not using nodes properly. Keep your primary correction, LUT, and secondary adjustments on separate nodes. It makes revisions much easier.

Final Thoughts

Adding LUTs in DaVinci Resolve is one of the quickest wins in your editing workflow. Once you understand the three methods — applying via the Colour page, importing into your library, or saving as a PowerGrade — you can build a consistent, cinematic look across all your content in a fraction of the time.

The key is to treat LUTs as a starting point, not a finish line. Correct your footage first, apply your LUT at a sensible intensity, and make small adjustments from there.

Ready to upgrade your colour grade? Browse our Cinematic LUT packs — built for DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro — and find the look that fits your style.