Last updated: May 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. See our review methodology. We may earn a commission if you enroll through links on this page — it never changes what we recommend.
QUICK VERDICT
Bottom line: Color grading is a video skill, and the tool you grade in decides the course you should take. If you’re serious about grading, learn it in DaVinci Resolve — it’s the industry standard and the free version is more than enough to learn on. Our top pick is Color Grading with DaVinci Resolve: Beginner to Advanced on Udemy.
- Best overall (DaVinci Resolve): Color Grading with DaVinci Resolve, Beginner to Advanced (Udemy)
- Best for Premiere Pro editors: Adobe Premiere Color Grading Masterclass (Udemy)
- Pricing: Udemy courses are one-time buys, often $12–$25 on sale
- Editing photos, not video? You want color work in Lightroom — see our photo editing courses
See Our #1 Color Grading Course →
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Color grading is the craft of shaping mood and consistency in footage — and unlike general editing, the skill is tightly tied to one of two tools. DaVinci Resolve is the industry standard for grading; its node-based workflow is what professional colorists use, and the free version is fully capable for learning. Adobe Premiere Pro (with Lumetri) is the practical choice if you already edit there and want to grade without switching apps. Decide which tool you’ll actually work in, then take the course built for it — that’s the single biggest factor in whether a course is worth your time.
The best color grading courses
1. Best overall — Color Grading with DaVinci Resolve: Beginner to Advanced (Udemy)
If you want to learn grading the way professionals actually do it, learn it in DaVinci Resolve — and this is the course we’d start with. It takes you from the basics of the color page through nodes, primaries, secondaries, and a repeatable grading workflow, all in the free version of Resolve so there’s nothing to buy beyond the course. Best for: anyone serious about color who wants the industry-standard tool. Worth noting: Resolve’s interface is deeper than Premiere’s Lumetri — budget a little extra time if you’re completely new to it.
2. Best for Premiere Pro editors — Adobe Premiere Color Grading Masterclass (Udemy)
If you already cut in Premiere Pro, switching to Resolve just to grade is overkill — this masterclass teaches grading inside Premiere’s Lumetri tools so you can stay in one timeline. It covers color correction first (fixing exposure and white balance) and then creative grading (building a look), which is the right order to learn in. Best for: editors who live in Premiere and want grading to fit their existing workflow. Skip if: you’re aiming for a professional colorist track — go DaVinci.
3. Best for a cinematic look — Cinematic Color Grading (Udemy)
If your goal is specifically the filmic, graded look of narrative and music-video work rather than general correction, this course focuses on building cinematic looks — contrast shaping, skin-tone control, and tonal palettes. Best for: creators who already understand correction basics and want to develop a signature look. Pair with: the DaVinci course above for the fundamentals first.
Color grading courses compared
| Course | Tool | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Color Grading with DaVinci Resolve | DaVinci Resolve (free) | Serious / pro-track grading |
| Adobe Premiere Color Grading Masterclass | Premiere Pro (Lumetri) | Existing Premiere editors |
| Cinematic Color Grading | Tool-flexible | Developing a signature look |
Color grading vs. photo editing — which do you actually need?
People often search “color grading” when they really mean color work on photos. If you’re adjusting the color of still images, you want Lightroom and Photoshop, not a Resolve grading course — start with our best photo editing courses instead. Color grading proper is a video discipline. If you’re shaping the look of footage, the courses above are the right place to begin. And if you’re building broader skills, this page is part of our guide to the best online photography courses.
Frequently asked questions
Should I learn color grading in DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro?
Learn in DaVinci Resolve if you want the industry-standard colorist workflow — the free version is fully capable for learning. Choose Premiere Pro’s Lumetri tools if you already edit in Premiere and want to grade without switching apps.
Is DaVinci Resolve free version enough to learn color grading?
Yes. The free version of DaVinci Resolve includes the full color page used in the courses above, so you can learn professional grading without buying anything beyond the course.
Is color grading the same as color correction?
No. Color correction fixes problems — exposure, white balance, matching shots. Color grading is the creative step that builds a look or mood on top of corrected footage. Good courses teach correction first, then grading.
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