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How to Add Subtitles to a TikTok, Instagram or YouTube Video

Three ways to caption social videos —the app's automatic captions, an SRT uploaded to YouTube and burned-in subtitles— and when to use each one.

Sonorarium Team 2 min read

Short answer: on YouTube, upload an SRT file from YouTube Studio; on TikTok and Instagram, the most reliable option is to burn in the subtitles with your editor (CapCut, Premiere, DaVinci) from a reviewed SRT, because those apps don't accept subtitle files and their automatic captions don't always get names and terms right.

Most social videos are watched without sound. Without subtitles, a big part of your audience leaves in the first few seconds.

The three ways to add subtitles

Method Where it works Pros Cons
The app's automatic captions TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Free and instant Mistakes with names, little customization
Upload an SRT file YouTube, Vimeo, LinkedIn, Facebook Reviewed text, viewers can toggle them, auto-translation on YouTube TikTok and Instagram don't support it
Burn in the subtitles Any network Always visible, your own style Can't be turned off; you must re-export to fix them

Step 1: get the SRT

  1. Upload the video to the transcription tool (MP4, MOV or WEBM, up to 2 GB).
  2. Choose the language and press Transcribe.
  3. Review the text in the editor: fix names, brands and terms without touching the timings.
  4. Download the SRT.

If the video is very large, you can upload just the audio; the timings still match. More in video to text.

Step 2a: YouTube (upload the SRT)

  1. YouTube Studio → Subtitles → choose the video.
  2. Add language → select the video's language.
  3. Under Subtitles: Add → Upload file → With timing → choose the SRT.
  4. Publish.

Your reviewed subtitles replace the automatic ones and YouTube can translate them into other languages. For Shorts, burning them in (step 2b) usually works better. More ideas in YouTube video transcription.

Step 2b: TikTok, Instagram and Reels (burn in)

TikTok and Instagram generate their own automatic captions, which you can turn on when editing the post and correct by hand. If you'd rather control the text and style:

  • CapCut: import the video, add the subtitles from the SRT file (import captions option, depending on the version) or paste the reviewed text, style them and export.
  • Premiere Pro: File → Import the SRT, drag it onto the timeline as a captions track, style it and export it burned in.
  • DaVinci Resolve: import the SRT into the Media Pool, drag it onto the timeline and choose to burn the subtitles into the video on export.

Style tips for social media

  • Short lines: two lines max and around 42 characters per line; for vertical video, one line is better.
  • Contrast: white text with an outline or a semi-transparent dark background.
  • Safe zone: keep the bottom third clear on TikTok and Instagram, where the caption and buttons appear.
  • Size: readable on a phone without zooming.
  • Check names: it's the first thing viewers notice if it's wrong.

FAQ

Can I upload an SRT to TikTok or Instagram? Not in general: those apps generate their own captions. To use your reviewed text, burn it into the video with an editor.

What if my video is in another language? Choose that language when transcribing and you'll get subtitles in that language. Subtitle translation is on our roadmap.

SRT or VTT? SRT for editors and YouTube; VTT for web players. There's a full guide on creating SRT subtitles.