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How-to guide

How to add captions to an MP4

Upload an MP4, get an MP4 back with captions burned in — no editing software, no manual typing, and no separate SRT file.

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Quick answer

To add captions to an MP4, upload the file to a browser tool like AnimateCaptions, let it auto-transcribe the audio, pick a caption style, fix any words in the editor, then export. You get back a new .mp4 with the captions burned directly into the frames — no SRT or subtitle file needed. The whole process runs online and takes about a minute for a short clip.

Step by step

How to caption an MP4 in 5 steps.

From raw MP4 to a captioned MP4 — all in the browser.

  1. 01

    Upload your MP4

    Drag your .mp4 file into the browser (.mov works too). AnimateCaptions accepts clips up to 2 minutes and 500 MB on the free tier — most phone and screen recordings fit easily.

  2. 02

    Let it auto-transcribe

    The MP4's audio is transcribed automatically with Deepgram Nova-3 across 36+ auto-detected languages, turning your spoken words into perfectly timed captions. No typing and no separate subtitle file.

  3. 03

    Pick a caption style

    Choose from 32+ animated presets — bold word-by-word highlights, clean minimal lines, Beast and Hormozi looks, and more — to match the vibe of your MP4.

  4. 04

    Edit and position (optional)

    Click any word to fix a transcript typo, drag lines to reposition them, and tweak font, colour, and size. The preview matches the final MP4 export exactly.

  5. 05

    Export the captioned MP4

    Hit export. AnimateCaptions renders the captions directly into the video with Remotion on its servers and hands you back a finished .mp4 — captions burned in, ready to post anywhere.

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

Adding captions to an MP4 — FAQ.

Can I add captions to an MP4 without other software?

Yes. AnimateCaptions runs entirely in your browser, so there is nothing to download or install. Upload your MP4, and everything — transcription, styling, and export — happens online on any phone, tablet, or computer.

Do I get an MP4 back with the captions in it?

Yes. The export is a standard .mp4 with the captions rendered directly into the frames (burned in), so they show on every platform without uploading anything extra.

Do I need an SRT or subtitle file?

No. You don't need to make, find, or upload an SRT file. AnimateCaptions transcribes the MP4's audio for you and burns the captions straight into the new MP4 — no separate subtitle file to manage.

Is it free to caption an MP4?

Yes. The free tier auto-transcribes and exports your captioned MP4 with no credit card. Free exports carry a small AnimateCaptions watermark; paid plans from $7.99/month remove it — cheaper than Submagic at $19/mo or Captions.ai at $24.99/mo.

What's the maximum MP4 size and length?

On the free tier you can caption MP4 files up to 2 minutes long and 500 MB in size. Portrait (9:16), landscape (16:9), and square (1:1) MP4s all work.

Does it re-compress the MP4 or lose quality?

No noticeable loss. The captioned MP4 is rendered server-side with Remotion at full resolution, so your video keeps its original sharpness — only the captions are added.

Caption your first MP4, free.

Upload an MP4, pick a style, download a captioned MP4. No SRT file, no editing app, no credit card.

Try it free