DaVinci Resolve 20 tutorial
DaVinci Resolve Playback and Navigation Shortcuts: J, K, L and Frame Control
A practical guide to DaVinci Resolve playback and navigation shortcuts using the default Resolve keyboard preset, with an emphasis on learning command behavior rather than blindly copying someone else's layout.
Basic playback without the mouse
In the default DaVinci Resolve layout, Space starts and stops playback. Left and Right Arrow move the playhead one frame at a time. J, K and L provide professional shuttle control: reverse, stop and forward. Repeated J or L presses increase speed.
- Space — Play/Stop.
- Left / Right Arrow — one frame backward / forward.
- J / K / L — reverse / stop / forward.
- K + tap J or L — frame jog.
- K + hold J or L — roughly half-speed playback.
Why J/K/L is faster than clicking Play
Interview, podcast and B-roll editing constantly requires changing direction and playback speed. J/K/L keeps that control under one hand and quickly becomes muscle memory.
Practical tip
- Start with Space and J/K/L only; do not memorize a giant shortcut sheet on day one.
- Switch to arrows or K+J/L when you need frame-level inspection.
In and Out marks
I and O set In and Out points. In the standard layout you can clear them with Alt+I / Alt+O / Alt+X on Windows and Option+I / Option+O / Option+X on macOS.
- I — Mark In.
- O — Mark Out.
- Alt/Option + I — Clear In.
- Alt/Option + O — Clear Out.
- Alt/Option + X — Clear In and Out.
Jump between edit points
Previous Edit and Next Edit are high-value commands for timeline review. Exact keys can vary by preset, so search for the command names in Keyboard Customization instead of assuming another editor's mapping matches yours.
Important
Premiere Pro, Avid and custom keyboard presets can change many default assignments.
A ten-minute practice drill
- Open a long source clip.
- Navigate for two minutes using only J/K/L and Space.
- Mark a useful phrase with I and O.
- Clear the range with Alt/Option+X.
- Practice Previous Edit and Next Edit on a timeline.
Summary
Playback and navigation shortcuts are the first group worth turning into muscle memory because they are used throughout almost every editing session.
Keyboard shortcuts by topic
For a deeper explanation of a specific group of commands, open the corresponding shortcut guide below.
- All DaVinci Resolve keyboard shortcuts — Core shortcuts and links to every section of the reference.
- DaVinci Resolve Cutting and Trim Keyboard Shortcuts — Ctrl/Cmd+B, Blade, Trim Start/End to Playhead and ripple behavior without constant tool switching.
- DaVinci Resolve Timeline Shortcuts: Overwrite, Place on Top, Clips and Gaps — Structural timeline commands: F10, F12, Enable Clip, Insert versus Overwrite and gap cleanup.
- How to Undo in DaVinci Resolve: Undo, Redo and History — Ctrl+Z / Cmd+Z, Redo, History and why undo behavior can differ across Resolve pages.
- How to Customize DaVinci Resolve Keyboard Shortcuts and Presets — Open Keyboard Customization, search commands, assign keys, resolve conflicts and move your preset between systems.