How to add subtitles to a video for free on YouTube? We got you covered.
Adding subtitles increases the total watch time of your YouTube videos. In addition, it helps reach a new audience that doesn’t speak the same language as you.
The process of adding subtitles to a YouTube video is straightforward and easy to understand. YouTube’s speech recognition tool provides automatic subtitles, which you can access even if you don’t wish to upload the video on YouTube. Furthermore, it is entirely free to use.
Let’s see how to add captions to a YouTube video:
Table of Contents
Where and How to find the option to add subtitles on YouTube?
There are two ways to access the option to add captions to a video on YouTube.
If the video is already uploaded, then follow the following steps to add subtitles automatically:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio
- From the left menu, select Subtitles.
- Click the video that you want to edit.
- If automatic subtitles are available, you will see the option to “Duplicate and edit.”
- However, if the YT subtitles are not available, you can add them on your own. Click ADD LANGUAGE and select your language.
- Under subtitles, click ADD.
If you are uploading the video on YouTube, then you can add subtitles at this stage too.
- Once you have put in the Title and description of your YouTube video, You will see “Add Subtitles” option.
- Click on “Add”
How to Add Subtitles on YouTube for free?
we have shared all the ways you can find the options to add subtitles on the YouTube studio.
Now you will see 3 options to add subtitles to your video on your own. Let’s check out what are these options and how to navigate through them.
Auto-sync
You can directly copy the subtitles and paste them on YouTube.
Steps to auto-sync subtitles on YouTube:
- Select Auto-sync.
- Paste the words in the video or upload a transcript file.
- Select ASSIGN TIMINGS.
![auto sync subtitles]()
- This will transform the text into a proper video transcript with timings.
- Then click SAVE AND CLOSE
Upload a file
You can upload a document to YouTube containing your subtitles for the video.
Before you start, make sure that your file type is supported on YouTube.
Caption files are available in various formats. The following formats are compatible with YouTube, you can upload any of these caption files to your YouTube studio dashboard:
- SRT (.srt)
- SBV (.sbv or .sub)
- WebVTT (.vtt)
- TTML ( .ttml)
- DFXP (.dfxp)
- SCC (.scc)
- EBU-STL (.stl)
- Videotron Lambda (.cap)
- Cheetah (.cap or .asc)
SRT is our recommended format to add subtitles as it’s compatible with YouTube and Facebook.
How to Auto-Sync Subtitles on YouTube:
- Select Upload File.
- Choose between With timing or Without timing, then select Continue.
- Choose a file to upload.
- Select Save.
Type Manually
YouTube also allows users to type the subtitles manually as they watch the video.
Your subtitle and caption timings will be set automatically with this option.
- Select “Type manually.”
- Play the video and enter your captions or subtitles. You can pause while typing.
- Click on the“+” to add another line. Once the entire video is transcribed.
- Click on “PUBLISH.”
You can better edit the subtitles through the editing panel at the bottom. This is because it’s easier to time the captions and edit the text there.
How To Add Captions To Other People’s YouTube video?
YouTube had the feature to add subtitles to videos you didn’t upload a few years back, but that feature is not available anymore.
Conclusion
Try adding subtitles and transcripts to your next YT Video and gauge the difference in views and watch time.
As you now know how to add subtitles to a video on YouTube what’s stopping you from trying it?
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I add subtitles to a video for free?
This is how you can add subtitles to a video for free:
You can add the video to YT studio and use Google’s free speech recognition tool to add subtitles to your video for free. You don’t have to upload the video on YouTube, you can just use the YouTube editor to add subtitles.
How do I permanently add subtitles to MP4?
You can use online free tools like veed.io to add subtitles to MP4 permanently.
How can I add English subtitles to a video?
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Subtitles.
- Click the video that you’d like to edit.
- Click ADD LANGUAGE and select English.
- Under subtitles, click ADD.
How can I add subtitles to other languages on YouTube?
Follow these steps to add subtitles to other languages on YouTube:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Subtitles.
- Click the video that you’d like to edit.
- Click ADD LANGUAGE and select your language.
- Under subtitles, click ADD.