How To Install LUTs in DaVinci Resolve (Step-by-Step Guide)
If you want to know how to install LUTs in DaVinci Resolve, you're in the right place. LUTs (Lookup Tables) are the fastest way to achieve consistent, professional color grading in your videos — and installing them in DaVinci Resolve is simpler than most people expect.
Whether you're working with cinematic film LUTs, log-to-rec709 technical LUTs, or stylistic color grades, this step-by-step guide walks you through the full process: from locating your LUT folder to applying and fine-tuning intensity on the Color page.
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Key Takeaways |
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✓ LUTs in DaVinci Resolve are stored as .cube files in a specific LUT folder — the path differs between Mac and Windows. |
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✓ After copying your LUT files, you must right-click and Refresh the LUT browser inside DaVinci Resolve before they appear. |
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✓ LUTs are applied via a Serial Node on the Color page — never directly to the clip timeline. |
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✓ You can reduce or intensify a LUT's effect using the Gain slider in the Key tab without needing any additional plugins. |
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✓ Mastin Labs Video LUTs are formatted as .cube files and work natively in DaVinci Resolve. |
What Is a LUT? (And Why Use Them in DaVinci Resolve?)
LUT stands for Lookup Table. It's a preset file containing a colour algorithm that remaps the colours in your footage in a consistent, repeatable way. Video editors and filmmakers use LUTs for colour grading — transforming flat or log-encoded raw footage into a specific look, mood, or film aesthetic.
DaVinci Resolve is the industry-standard tool for colour grading, and it has native support for .cube LUT files. That means you can apply a LUT directly within the Colour page with no third-party plugins required.
Common uses for LUTs in DaVinci Resolve include:
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Converting log/flat footage (like S-Log, C-Log, or V-Log) into a viewable image
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Maintaining consistent colour across a multi-camera edit
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Previewing how a grade will look before committing to it
4 Steps To Install LUTs in DaVinci Resolve
Step 1: Open Project Settings and Locate the LUT Folder
Open an existing DaVinci Resolve project. In the lower-right corner, click the gear icon to open Project Settings. Navigate to the Color Management panel and look for the Lookup Tables section. Click Open LUT Folder.
If the button doesn't work, you can navigate to the DaVinci Resolve LUT folder manually:
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Mac: Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/LUT/
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Windows: C:\ProgramData\Blackmagic Design\DaVinci Resolve\Support\LUT
Step 2: Copy Your LUT Files Into the Folder and Refresh
Drag and drop — or copy and paste — your .cube files into the DaVinci Resolve LUT folder. LUTs for DaVinci Resolve are distributed as .cube files, sometimes called cube files because of the standard file extension.
Once copied, switch back to DaVinci Resolve. Click the Color tab at the bottom of the screen to open the Color page. In the top-left toolbar, click the LUTs tab, then right-click anywhere in the LUT Browser and select Refresh. This step is essential — DaVinci Resolve won't recognise new LUTs until you refresh the list.
Step 3: Add a Serial Node and Apply Your LUT
Still on the Color page, make sure the Nodes panel is visible. Right-click inside the Nodes panel, go to Add Node, and select Add Serial. This creates a new node where you'll apply the LUT.
Right-click the new serial node and navigate to the 3D LUT drop-down menu to find and select your LUT. You can also apply it directly from the LUT Browser in the top-left toolbar — click your chosen LUT and it will be applied to the selected node immediately.
Step 4: Adjust the LUT Intensity
Applying a LUT at 100% strength often looks too heavy-handed, especially on mixed-light footage. To dial in the intensity, make sure your LUT node is selected, then go to the Key tab. Find the Gain parameter and adjust the slider:
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Slide left to reduce the LUT's effect (a subtle, blended look)
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Slide right to intensify it (a stronger, more stylised grade)
This is the standard way to blend a LUT naturally without needing a Fusion compositor or third-party plugin.
Create the Perfect Colour Aesthetic for Your Videos
DaVinci Resolve LUTs give you the power to shape the mood, tone, and narrative of your footage in a matter of seconds. Once you've installed your first LUT and applied it to a clip, the process becomes second nature.
For a curated range of film-inspired Video LUTs built for DaVinci Resolve, explore the Mastin Labs Video LUTs collection. Developed from iconic analog film stocks, each LUT is formatted as a .cube file and works natively in DaVinci Resolve — no extra steps required. You can also watch a live edit tutorial to see the LUTs in action before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I install LUTs in DaVinci Resolve on Mac?
On a Mac, navigate to Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/LUT/ and paste your .cube files into this folder. Then open DaVinci Resolve, go to the Color page, click the LUTs tab, right-click in the LUT Browser, and select Refresh. Your LUTs will now appear and be ready to use.
Where is the LUT folder in DaVinci Resolve on Windows?
On Windows, the DaVinci Resolve LUT folder is located at C:\ProgramData\Blackmagic Design\DaVinci Resolve\Support\LUT. Note that ProgramData is a hidden folder — you may need to enable hidden items in File Explorer to access it. Paste your .cube files here, then refresh the LUT list inside DaVinci Resolve. For more help, visit the official DaVinci Resolve LUT support guide.
What file format do LUTs need to be for DaVinci Resolve?
DaVinci Resolve natively supports .cube files (3D LUTs) and .mga/.m3d files (1D LUTs). The most common format is .cube, which is what most cinematic and film-style LUTs — including Mastin Labs Video LUTs — use. If your LUT is in a different format (e.g. .3dl or .look), you may need to convert it first using a LUT conversion tool.
Why aren't my LUTs showing up in DaVinci Resolve?
The most common reason is forgetting to refresh the LUT list. After copying your .cube files into the LUT folder, go to the Color page, click the LUTs tab, right-click in the LUT Browser, and select Refresh. If they still don't appear, double-check that the files are in the correct folder path for your operating system and that the file extension is .cube.
How do I reduce the intensity of a LUT in DaVinci Resolve?
Once your LUT is applied to a Serial Node on the Color page, select that node and open the Key tab. Use the Gain slider to control how strongly the LUT affects your footage. Moving it below 1.0 blends the LUT more subtly with the underlying image — this is the standard technique for a more natural-looking grade.
Can I use Mastin Labs LUTs in DaVinci Resolve?
Yes. Mastin Labs Video LUTs are distributed as .cube files, which means they install and run natively in DaVinci Resolve with no additional plugins. For example, see the Portra Original Video LUTs. Simply follow the four steps above — place the .cube files in your LUT folder, refresh the LUT Browser, add a Serial Node, and apply your chosen LUT from the 3D LUT drop-down.
Do I need the paid version of DaVinci Resolve to use LUTs?
No. LUT support — including installing, applying, and adjusting .cube files — is available in the free version of DaVinci Resolve. You do not need DaVinci Resolve Studio to use LUTs for colour grading.
What's the difference between a 1D LUT and a 3D LUT in DaVinci Resolve?
A 1D LUT adjusts brightness and contrast channel by channel (R, G, B independently), making it useful for technical conversions like gamma correction. A 3D LUT maps colour in three dimensions, allowing it to shift hue, saturation, and luminance simultaneously — which is why most creative and cinematic LUTs are 3D. In DaVinci Resolve, the 3D LUT drop-down in the node right-click menu is where you'll apply most LUTs.
