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How-to guide

How to add subtitles to a video

Generate and burn subtitles into any short video automatically — no SRT files and no manual typing.

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Quick answer

To add subtitles to a video, upload your .mp4 or .mov to AnimateCaptions, let it auto-transcribe the speech into a time-synced transcript, pick a subtitle style, correct any words, and export an MP4 with the subtitles burned in. The transcription is automatic, so you never have to write an SRT file by hand.

Step by step

How to subtitle a video in 5 steps.

Automatic transcription to subtitled MP4, all in the browser.

  1. 01

    Upload your video

    Drag an .mp4 or .mov into the browser. AnimateCaptions accepts clips up to 2 minutes and 500 MB on the free tier.

  2. 02

    Auto-generate the subtitles

    Deepgram Nova-3 transcribes the spoken audio automatically and syncs each word to the timeline — no SRT file to write by hand.

  3. 03

    Pick a subtitle style

    Choose from 32+ styles, from clean single-line subtitles to bold animated word-by-word captions.

  4. 04

    Review and correct

    Click any word to fix a transcription error — handy for names and technical terms — and adjust font, size, and line position.

  5. 05

    Export the subtitled video

    Export a standard MP4 with the subtitles rendered into the frames, ready to upload 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 subtitles to a video — FAQ.

What's the difference between subtitles and captions?

Traditionally, subtitles assume the viewer can hear and just need the dialogue text, while captions also include speaker and sound cues for accessibility. In short-form video the terms are used interchangeably — AnimateCaptions transcribes the speech and renders it as styled on-screen text either way.

Can I add subtitles to a video automatically?

Yes. The audio is transcribed automatically with Deepgram Nova-3, so the subtitles are generated and time-synced for you. You only edit if you want to correct a word.

Can I add subtitles for free?

Yes. AnimateCaptions has a free tier with no credit card. Free exports carry a small watermark; paid plans from $7.99/month remove it.

Do I need an SRT file?

No. AnimateCaptions creates the timed transcript for you and burns the subtitles directly into the video, so there is no SRT file to create or upload.

Are the subtitles burned into the video?

Yes. You download an MP4 with the subtitles rendered into the frames, so they always display — no separate subtitle track required.

What video formats are supported?

.mp4 and .mov up to 2 minutes and 500 MB on the free tier, in portrait, landscape, or square.

Subtitle your first video, free.

Upload a clip, auto-generate subtitles, download a finished MP4. No SRT, no install, no credit card.

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