The basic ways to add subtitles

You can add subtitles to a video in three main ways: upload a subtitle file that already exists, create subtitles by typing them in manually during editing, or use automatic speech-to-text tools that generate them from your audio. Which method you choose depends on whether you already have subtitles written out, how much time you want to spend, and which editing software you're using.

Most video editors handle subtitle files in the same format — usually .srt (SubRip), .vtt (WebVTT), or .ass files. If you have subtitles from a previous project or downloaded them, you can import them directly. If you don't have a file yet, you'll either type the text and timing yourself or let the software transcribe your audio automatically.

The automatic route is fastest for long videos but often needs cleanup — it catches most words but may miss accents, technical terms, or background noise. Manual typing takes longer but gives you complete control over what appears and when.

Key Takeaways

  • Most video editors let you import existing subtitle files (.srt, .vtt, or .ass format) or create new ones from scratch within the software.
  • Automatic transcription tools built into editors like DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere, and CapCut can generate subtitles from your audio in minutes, though you'll usually need to fix errors.
  • Manual subtitle creation means typing text and setting the exact start and end time for each line, which takes longer but requires no cleanup.
  • After adding subtitles, you can style them with fonts, colors, and backgrounds, then export them as part of your final video or as a separate file.

Importing a subtitle file you already have

If you have a .srt, .vtt, or .ass file from another source, most editors let you drag it directly into your project. In DaVinci Resolve, right-click the media pool and select "Import Subtitle File," then choose your file. In Adobe Premiere Pro, go to File > Import and select your subtitle file, or drag it onto the timeline. CapCut on mobile lets you tap the subtitle icon, then "Import SRT."

After importing, the subtitles appear on a separate track in your timeline. You can then adjust their timing if they're slightly out of sync, change their appearance, or export them separately if you need them as a file for another project. If the timing is off by a consistent amount — for example, all subtitles appear two seconds too early — most editors let you shift the entire track forward or backward at once.

Using automatic transcription to generate subtitles

Automatic transcription is the fastest method for videos with clear dialogue. DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut, and Shotcut all include built-in transcription. In DaVinci Resolve, select your video clip, go to the Subtitle tab, and click "Transcribe." The software processes your audio and creates a subtitle track automatically — this usually takes a few minutes depending on video length.

Adobe Premiere Pro's version is called "Auto Transcription" and works similarly: select your clip, right-click, and choose "Transcribe Sequence." CapCut on mobile has an automatic captions feature under the Captions menu. Shotcut uses the Whisper transcription model, which you can access through Tools > Speech to Text.

After transcription finishes, read through and fix errors. Automatic tools often misheard names, technical terms, or words spoken quickly. You can edit each subtitle line directly in the subtitle editor — click the text and type the correction, and the timing stays the same. This cleanup usually takes 10 to 30 minutes for a 10-minute video, depending on audio quality.

Creating subtitles manually by typing them in

Manual subtitle creation means typing each line of dialogue and setting when it appears and disappears. Open the subtitle editor in your software — in DaVinci Resolve, click the Subtitle tab; in Premiere Pro, go to File > New > Subtitle; in CapCut, tap the Captions button. Then click "Add" or "New Subtitle" to create your first line.

Type the text you want to appear, then set the start time (when the subtitle shows up) and end time (when it disappears). Most editors let you click on your timeline to set these times, or type them in manually as hours:minutes:seconds:milliseconds. A typical subtitle stays on screen for 2 to 5 seconds, depending on how much text it contains and how fast the speaker talks.

Work through your video in order, adding one subtitle per line of dialogue. This method takes the longest — roughly one minute of editing time per minute of video — but you have complete control and don't need to fix transcription errors. Some editors let you copy a subtitle and paste it below, then just change the text and timing, which speeds up the process slightly.

Styling and positioning your subtitles

After your subtitles are in place, you can change how they look. Most editors let you select all subtitles at once and apply formatting to the whole track. In DaVinci Resolve, select your subtitle track, then use the Inspector panel on the right to change font, size, color, and background. In Premiere Pro, right-click the subtitle track and choose "Edit Subtitle Style."

Common choices are white text on a black background (easiest to read), or a semi-transparent black box behind white text. You can also position subtitles at the bottom, top, or sides of the frame. If you're adding subtitles in multiple languages, position them consistently so viewers know where to look.

Some editors let you create different styles for different speakers — for example, one color for dialogue and another for sound descriptions like "[door slams]" or "[music plays]." This helps viewers distinguish between what people are saying and what's happening in the scene.

Exporting your video with subtitles

When you export your finished video, you have two choices: burn the subtitles into the video file itself, or export them as a separate file. Burning subtitles means they become part of the image and can't be turned off by viewers — useful for social media or when you want subtitles to always be visible. Exporting as a separate file means viewers can turn subtitles on or off, which is standard for streaming platforms and YouTube.

In DaVinci Resolve, go to File > Export and choose your format. Under "Subtitle Options," select "Burn In" to embed subtitles in the video, or leave it unchecked to export subtitles as a separate .srt file. In Adobe Premiere Pro, go to File > Export > Media, then check "Embed Subtitles" or export subtitles separately through File > Export > Subtitles. CapCut automatically includes subtitles in your exported video by default.

For YouTube, upload your video first, then add subtitles through YouTube Studio — you can upload a .srt file or use YouTube's automatic captioning. This lets viewers toggle subtitles on and off without affecting your original file.

Fixing timing problems when subtitles don't match the audio

If your subtitles are consistently early or late, most editors let you shift the entire subtitle track at once. In DaVinci Resolve, right-click the subtitle track and look for "Offset" or "Sync" options. In Premiere Pro, select all subtitles, then use the time display to move them forward or backward. In CapCut, tap and hold a subtitle, then drag it to adjust timing.

If only some subtitles are out of sync — for example, the first few are correct but later ones drift — you may need to adjust individual lines. Click each subtitle and change its start and end times manually. This is tedious for long videos, so if automatic transcription created most of your subtitles, fixing timing issues is another reason to review and clean up the transcript before finalizing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between subtitles and captions?

Subtitles show only dialogue, while captions include dialogue plus sound descriptions like "[door slams]" or "[music plays]." Most video editors use the terms interchangeably, but captions are more accessible for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers because they describe what's happening in the audio.

Can I add subtitles in multiple languages?

Yes. Create a separate subtitle track for each language in your editor, then position them so they don't overlap, or export each language as its own .srt file. YouTube and other platforms let viewers choose which language subtitle to display.

Do I need special software to add subtitles, or can I use free tools?

Free editors like DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, and CapCut all include subtitle tools. Paid software like Adobe Premiere Pro has more advanced styling options, but free tools handle the basics well. You can also use standalone subtitle editors like Subtitle Edit if you're working with .srt files outside a video editor.

What happens if I upload a video with subtitles to social media?

If you burn subtitles into the video, they're always visible. If you export subtitles as a separate file, most platforms (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram) let you upload the .srt file alongside your video so viewers can toggle them on and off. Check each platform's documentation for the exact format they accept.

How long does automatic transcription take?

Most built-in transcription tools process video at roughly real-time speed or faster — a 10-minute video usually transcribes in 5 to 15 minutes, depending on your computer and the software. Longer videos may take proportionally longer, but you can usually continue editing while transcription runs in the background.