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Reels guide

How to add captions to Instagram Reels

Add animated, word-by-word captions to your Reels in the browser, then share a ready-to-go 9:16 MP4.

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Quick answer

To add captions to an Instagram Reel, upload your vertical clip to AnimateCaptions, let it auto-transcribe the audio, pick an animated caption style, position the lines so they clear the Reels interface, and export a 9:16 MP4 with the captions burned in. Then upload that video as a Reel — the captions show for every viewer.

Step by step

How to caption a Reel in 5 steps.

Raw clip to ready-to-post 9:16 MP4, all in the browser.

  1. 01

    Upload your Reel

    Drag your .mp4 or .mov into the browser. Vertical 9:16 video is supported natively, up to 2 minutes and 500 MB on the free tier.

  2. 02

    Let it transcribe

    Deepgram Nova-3 transcribes the audio automatically and turns your speech into timed captions — no manual typing.

  3. 03

    Pick a caption style

    Choose from 32+ animated presets — from clean minimal lines to bold word-by-word highlights that match your Reel's aesthetic.

  4. 04

    Edit and position

    Click to fix any word, then drag each line so captions sit clear of the Reels caption text, audio label, and right-side buttons.

  5. 05

    Export and share to Reels

    Export a burned-in 9:16 MP4 and upload it as a Reel in the Instagram app. The captions are baked in, so every viewer sees them.

Editor walkthrough

Edit every word before you export.

Live caption preview, click-to-correct transcript, per-line drag positioning, and 32+ animated styles to pick from.

Common questions

Instagram Reels captions — FAQ.

Does Instagram add captions to Reels automatically?

Instagram offers an auto-captions sticker with basic text, but it has limited styling and position control. A dedicated tool like AnimateCaptions gives you 32+ animated styles and full control, then you upload the finished video.

Can I add captions to a Reel for free?

Yes. AnimateCaptions auto-transcribes and exports captioned videos on a free tier with no credit card. Free exports carry a small watermark; paid plans from $7.99/month remove it.

What size should an Instagram Reel be?

9:16 vertical is the native Reels format. AnimateCaptions keeps your video in 9:16 and fits the captions to frame, so nothing is cropped.

Will the captions overlap the Reels interface?

Not if you position them. Drag each caption line in the editor so it stays clear of the caption text, audio attribution, and action buttons.

Are the captions burned into the video?

Yes. You download a standard MP4 with the captions rendered into the frames, so they show for everyone — no separate subtitle file needed.

How long can my Reel be?

Up to 2 minutes per clip on the free tier (.mp4 or .mov, up to 500 MB), which covers the majority of Reels.

Caption your next Reel, free.

Upload a clip, pick a style, download a 9:16 MP4 ready to share. No editing app, no credit card.

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