Add subtitles to a video
Burn an SRT or VTT file into the picture so the captions always show.
- Runs on your device — the file is never sent anywhere
- No sign-up, no watermarks, no daily quotas
- Free, with no limit on how often you use it
How it works
Subtitles come in two forms: a separate track a player can switch off, and text burned into the picture that always shows. Social platforms strip separate tracks, which is why captions posted to Reels, TikTok or Shorts have to be burned in — most people watch with the sound off.
Burned in means permanent
The text becomes part of every frame. It cannot be switched off, it survives re-uploading and re-encoding, and it shows on every player. It also cannot be removed or corrected later, so check the timing before you burn.
Which files work
SRT is the usual format and what most transcription services produce. VTT works too, as does ASS. If your subtitles are out of sync, fix them with the subtitle converter on this site first — it can shift every timing at once.
Size and position
Larger text suits phone viewing where the video plays small. Bottom is the convention; top is useful when something important sits along the bottom of the frame. The captions get a dark outline so they stay readable over light scenes.
Only the picture is re-encoded
The soundtrack is copied across untouched. The picture has to be re-encoded because the text is being drawn into it, which is what takes the time.
Add subtitles to a video — questions
Can the subtitles be turned off afterwards?
No. Burning them in makes them part of the picture, which is the point for social platforms that strip separate tracks.
Which subtitle formats can I use?
SRT, VTT and ASS.
My subtitles are out of sync — can I fix that here?
Not in this tool, but the subtitle converter on this site shifts every timing at once. Fix them there first.
Is my video uploaded?
No. The burn-in runs in your browser.