How to add video captions to YouTube videos , TikTok, YouTube |

May 26, 2022

Captions for video are often not noticed until it's time to use them. Whether for accessibility, context and search engine optimization or the ease of watching the video in mute captions can be a great option to increase the value of your video.

In this post we'll walk you through the steps you can add captions for videos on different platforms, including , YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook and share a couple of tools you can use to add captions and edit transcriptions with ease according to the requirements of your video.

Closed captions not only enable users to enjoy videos even with audio removed, captions improve accessibility, too. In this article, we'll begin by providing specifics on the reasons why captioning video is important.

Then, we'll go through adding captions to videos across various platforms.

This article:

Why closed captions are important

Captions for closed-circuit video are crucial due to two reasons.

Accessibility improved

One in eight people in the US only suffer from hearing loss in both ears. So, including captions to videos allows people with similar hearing loss to take pleasure in your content.To be added, subtitling video can also make them accessible to differently abled people including those with autism and ADHD. Indeed, captions are proven to improve focus and information retention in people suffering from ADHD as well as autism.

Improved reach and completion rate

Eighty-three percent of viewers are watching videos with the sound off the same percentage as 92% of mobile viewers who watch videos with the sound off. What's more, 80% of those who watch these videos are more likely to watch the whole video when there are captions available.

Meaning: if you want more people to watch your video content, make sure that you include closed captions on the videos. In this way, users won't be forced to skip over your content simply due to the fact that they're in public or quiet space.

In addition, captioning could help you reach those who aren't able to comprehend your language but want to see your video regardless.

Let's look at the process of adding closed captioning to videos across various video hosting platforms.

How do you add captions to video content on

Captioning your video content is an easy option to boost discoverability and accessibility for every video you upload.

To manually add captions to  this page, do these steps:

Paid users are able to edit their transcripts within the app using the transcript editing tool while the rest of users are able to download, edit and upload their transcripts. To learn more look up the help center.

Another thing to note: you aren't limited to adding captioning files that only use SRT for videos on . The platform accepts other files as well, including SAMI, SCC, DFXP/TTML, and WebVTT. Of these, WebVTT is the most preferred one.

How can captions be added to video content on TikTok

Are you looking to include captions in your video posts on TikTok? This is a good thing! There are two methods to caption videos:

Auto-generated captions for video on TikTok

When you've published your content to the platform for video bite-sized It is important to follow these steps:

1. Simply click on Captions on the right side of the screen.2. Then let it run through and you're finished.

This is a fantastic solution for those looking to quickly add captions without too much customizations.

Manually add video captions to TikTok

The manual addition of captions lets you to either create captions from scratch , or modify the auto-generated captions. Follow these instructions after you've recorded your video:

1. Click on Captions Similar to above and provide processing time.
2. Select the pencil icon on the corner now.
3. Edit the auto-generated captions or create new captions.

 How do I add captions on TikTok after posting

There's no option to include captions in your TikTok video after having posted it. Quickly deleting the content and reposting it with captions will help. You're worried you'll lose all of the effects, music, and editing? Save the video before deleting to cut down on work. Follow these steps to preserve your TikTok video prior to deleting it:

1. Click to the me icon on the lower right side of your screen.
2. Choose the video, then click to open the horizontal dots on the right.
3. Hit Save the video.
4. Post the video you saved with captions added.

Bonus: You can add video captions using the text tool

This is a great option to caption videos that are short. After you've recorded or uploaded your video, follow these steps:

1. Choose the Text button from your screen's bottom and add your own caption.
2. Move the text box around to place it on the screen however you like, however the highest position is most effective way to stop the captions from blending with the video description text.
3. Choose the text box, then hit the clock icon to find the timestamps of the text, or for when it will show up on the screen.
4. Preview by playing the video. Then, click Done in the upper-right corner.

How to add captions for video clips on YouTube

There are several alternatives to caption YouTueb videos: auto-generated captions manual captions uploading captions to a file or using an auto-translate.

Let's explore each option in turn:

Auto-generate video captions for YouTube videos.

As of this writing, YouTube only auto-writes captions for some videos and shorts and this feature is accessible in 13 languages.

To automatically generate video captions for the 13 languages that are available, follow these steps:

1. Head to YouTube Studio.
2. Select Subtitles from the left and choose the video you want to play.
3. Select the three dots below Subtitles.
4. Read or Modify the captions automatically generated as necessary.

Add YouTube captions by hand

For captions to be added to the screen, you must comply with these steps:

1. Go to the YouTube Studio account. YouTube Studio account.
2. Choose Subtitles from the left-hand side of the screen. Select your video.
3. Tap Add under Subtitles (like above).
4. Select Type manually among the four choices which you can see.
5. Add captions to the video by clicking the video - adjusting timestamps according to the need.
6. Click Publish.

Add captions to YouTube video clips by including a captions text file

For uploading captions to YouTube it is necessary to have a caption file. Similar to SubRip, YouTube isn't limited to SRT files. YouTube also accepts SubViewer as well as LRC file types in addition to SubRip.

Let's see how:

1. Head to YouTube Studio.
2. Select Subtitles on the left of the dashboard and pick the movie you wish to caption.
3. Hit Add Language Now and select the language you prefer.
4. Tap Add to the Subtitles area from the main screen.
5. Choose upload file among the options that show up now.
6. Choose from whether you want to include captions By Timing or without timing and then press continue.
7. Select the file to upload. Choose to Save Draft or Publish.

Caption YouTube videos using auto-sync.

The auto-sync captioning feature gives you the most effective of the options above. This means that you are able to make captions yourself, however YouTube alters the timestamps of your videos automatically.

Here's the procedure (the first three steps follow the identical to the above):

1. Log in to the YouTube Studio account you have created. YouTube Studio account.
2. Pick the Subtitles from the left sidebar and choose your movie
3. Tap Add under Subtitles.
4. Select Auto-sync from the menu.
5. Input the video's transcript in the text box. You can also choose Edit Timings at the top of the screen and then select Upload file (instead of typing manually into everything, just make sure the file is in a language supported by YouTube).
6. Select Edit Timings. After that, Save and Close.

How can captions be added for video on Facebook

Facebook provides users with a manual and automated option to caption videos. We'll walk you through the process:

Automatically generate captions for Facebook videos.

Before adding captions, upload and save the video as an unfinished draft to your Facebook page.

To this end, tap to the share a picture or video icon located on the homepage and then upload your video. Once uploaded, hit Save Draft within the drop-down menu, next to the publishing button.

Following that, you must follow these steps:

1. Save the video to Drafts found beneath Posts in the Publishing Toolbox.
2. Tap on Edit Video in the Video option located on the left.
3. Choose the Captions from the a variety of possibilities available then click Generate.

That's all. The best way to check the auto-generated captions , however. So play the video to see what captions show up. If you want to edit one, change the text from the right side of the screen. Click on the caption and click on the word you would like to change.

Make manual captions with .SRT file

This is a useful method of adding captions to videos on your private Facebook profile, as well as to videos on Groups.

Be sure to have prepared a SubRip subtitle file (SRT) ready beforehand - save it as plaintext .srt file. Learn more about formatting and naming your SRT file the right way to ensure that you don't make any mistakes.

The remaining steps are pretty similar to those above

1. Save and upload your video after which Click edit video.
2. Pick one of the Captions option from the available choices.
3. Select to upload SRT file instead of Generate.
4. Select the language to match with the SRT file's language and press save.

 Are you able to add captions to the captions of a Facebook video once you have posted it?

Add captions to previously published or Facebook videos by picking your post on your Page. Next, click the three vertical the ellipsis (...) at the top right and tap on the Edit button. Choose captions from this menu and choose to choose to either create them by auto or in an .srt file.

Video captioning tools

If you're searching for third part tools to help create closed captions for video, take a look at our list of providers:

Auto closed captions and transcription tools allows users to instantly add captions as well as upload and edit transcripts as well as fine-tune the style of captions to be in line with the content of the video, and search key moments within the transcript of a video.

2. Kapwing

Kapwing is an online video editor for captioning videos, is available as an unpaid and free version. Its free editor lets people to add captions for videos for no longer than four minutes. It also stores edited content for up to two days , and permits users to create three hours of video content per month.

If you're trying to caption many videos, the professional version with 2 GB upload limits and more features, may be worth a try.

3. VEED.io

Like Kapwing, VEED.io is a online editor for videos which allows users to automatically generate subtitles. You can also manually add them, or upload caption files for subtitles that can be added to the video.

Additionally, it gives you freedom to alter the text of subtitles (useful in cases where text is auto-generated and you spot the errors) You can also alter the size, color, font, and timing, too.

4. Rev

Rev is a platform that converts speech into text that allows users to translate or caption audio or video as accurately as possible. It offers a range of sources, such as humans who can transcribe, AI transcription, on-screen captions of videos in English and other languages, as well as more.

Pricing is based on transcriptions, captions, as well as subtitles, per minute.

5. Zubtitle

Zubtitle is another web app for captioning videos. When you upload your movie to Zubtitle it automatically generates subtitle text which is then edited for correction and for changing the design.

Remember that the free plan only permits the addition of subtitles on only one video. To get more options for captioning your video you can opt for a premium subscription.

6. Subly

Subly is another easy to use online application. It comes with a convenient trial of 7 days. Subly makes it easy for users to automatically create subtitle text for about 67 languages, generate and style captions and also convert audio files into video.

Once you have uploaded a video, the captions will be generated and you can alter their placement and color, font and size. You can also download the transcript in three different file types.

7. Amara

Amara can include captions on your videos using their free online editor. They also offer subtitles for videos and a transcription services for more than 50 languages.

It is also able to integrate with other video hosting platforms, such as . It makes the process of exporting and import subtitles a lot simpler.

8. MixCaptions

It's an Android and iOS app for video subtitling. It can automatically add captions in 23 different languages. Once captioned, you can edit the subtitle text and also change the position of it.

Enjoy more reach with captions for videos

By following this step-by-step guide on how to add captions for your video We're sure you'll be able to include subtitles in your video content. Just remember that it's important to include closed captions as they increase accessibility to your video as well as reach.

So what are you waiting to do? Begin captioning your videos now.