How to add captions to YouTube videos (closed and burned-in)

Option 1: Closed captions in YouTube Studio

YouTube's captions help page covers the details. In short:

1. Open YouTube Studio and select Subtitles in the left menu.
2. Choose your video and language.
3. Pick a method: Auto-sync (paste a transcript and YouTube times it), Type manually (write captions as the video plays) or Upload file (add a caption file such as .srt).
4. Review and Publish.

Fixing automatic captions

YouTube can generate automatic captions for many videos (YouTube Help). Open them in the Subtitles section, choose to edit, and correct names, jargon and numbers. This takes minutes and makes a big difference for viewers who rely on captions.

Option 2: Burned-in captions in your editor

Burned-in captions are part of the image and always visible. To add them:

1. Finish your edit first so captions match the final audio.
2. Use your editor's auto-caption feature (CapCut, Descript, Premiere Pro) or a caption tool like Submagic.
3. Read through and fix errors.
4. Apply a readable style: bold font, high contrast, a few words at a time.
5. Keep them clear of the areas covered by the YouTube interface, especially on Shorts.
6. Export and upload.

Which should you use?

Many creators use both: burned-in captions for engagement and accurate closed captions for accessibility.

Caption style tips

• 1–2 lines, short phrases.
• Large enough to read on a phone.
• Highlight one key word, not every word.
• Consistent style across your channel.

Save time on captions

Captions are one of the most tedious parts of editing, especially fixing errors. DoneEdit, our own service, adds bold burned-in captions to every talking-head video and a person checks them before delivery.

Step by step: closed captions in YouTube Studio

1. Upload your video and open it in YouTube Studio.
2. Go to Subtitles in the left menu.
3. Choose the video's language if you haven't already.
4. Pick how to add captions: upload a caption file, auto-sync from a transcript you paste in, or type them manually.
5. If YouTube has generated automatic captions, open them, choose to edit, and correct mistakes.
6. Publish the captions.

YouTube's help pages explain each option in detail; see Add subtitles and captions.

Step by step: burned-in captions in your editor

1. Lock your edit first so timing won't change.
2. Generate auto captions in your editor.
3. Correct names, numbers and jargon.
4. Choose a readable style: high contrast, large enough for a phone screen.
5. Place them where they won't cover your face or the platform's interface.
6. Export and watch the full video on your phone with sound off.

Checklist: caption quality

• Every word matches what's said, especially names and numbers.
• Lines are short enough to read in time.
• Captions appear and disappear in sync with speech.
• Style is consistent across videos.
• Nothing important is hidden under the captions.

Doing both

Burned-in captions are always visible and suit Shorts and social clips. Closed captions can be switched on or off and resized by viewers. For long YouTube videos, many creators upload a closed caption file even if they also add some on-screen text.

Common captioning mistakes

• Publishing automatic captions without reviewing them.
• Using a font that's hard to read on phones.
• Captions that stay on screen too long or flash by too fast.
• Captions covering on-screen text or your face.

Captions in other languages

YouTube Studio lets you add subtitles in more languages. Translated captions can help viewers in other countries, but have a fluent speaker check them if accuracy matters.

Key takeaways

• Closed captions are added in YouTube Studio and can be switched on or off by viewers.
• Burned-in captions are part of the video and suit Shorts and social clips.
• Always review automatic captions, especially names, numbers and jargon.
• Keep caption lines short and place them clear of faces and app buttons.