Add Subtitles to a Video

Edited by Graciela Franchesca Rosario, Eng, Lynn, Ravensun and 8 others

9 Parts:
How to Add SRT Subtitle in a Video
How to Add Subtitles to Downloaded Videos
How to Add Subtitles in YouTube Videos
How to Add Subtitles to a Movie
How to Add Subtitles to a Video Using Movavi
Tips
Warnings
Questions and Answers
...More

If you want an attractive video and include lyrics below, or subtitles, or any comments you'd like, follow these steps to place subtitles in a video.

Into.png

How to Add SRT Subtitle in a Video

  1. 1
    SubRip captions an SRT extension
    .
    Edit 1.png
    SRT is probably the most basic of all subtitle formats. The format is supported by subtitle creation programs, and software video players. The time format used is hours:minutes:seconds, milliseconds (three decimal places).
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  2. 2
    SRT does not have video data
    .
    It is just a text file that you can edit using text editor.
    Utf 2.png
    It enables you to translate subtitles into other languages. The purpose of the SRT subtitle file is to use it with your preferred movie file to showcase subtitles if you play your video file on any player supporting SRT subtitles.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  3. 3
    Edit an .srt file
    .
    You may either create .srt format subtitles on your own, or download an .srt file from a website and modify it. To create .srt subtitles, follow the steps below:  
    1. Launch WordPad, Notepad, or another text editor.
    2. Edit the subtitles.
      Avi 3.png
       
      1. Notes: SRT contains four parts, all in text.  
        1. A number that indicates what subtitle is in the sequence.
        2. The time that the subtitle will appear on the screen, and eventually disappear.
        3. The subtitle itself.
        4. A blank line that indicates the beginning of the new subtitle.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  4. 4
    Save the subtitle to an .srt format
    .
    In Notepad, click on "File", then "Save As". Change the file name to "xxx.srt." Change "save as type" to "All Files." Set "Encoding" to "UTF-8" or "ANSI".
     
    1. Save an .srt file as "ANSI" when using English subtitles.
    2. Save an .srt file as "UTF-8" when using non-English subtitles.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  5. 5
    Copy the .srt file to AVI video folder
    .
    Then rename the .srt file to the video name you prefer. Note: When you add more than one .srt file to the AVI folder, you may rename the .srt file name like this: If the AVI file name is "Michael.avi", the .srt file names may be " michael002", "michael003", etc.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  6. 6
    Drag and drop the AVI file to the DVD converter or video converter
    .
    Drag 4.png
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  7. 7
    Choose .srt subtitle in the DVD converter/video converter
    .
    Go to the right panel of DVD converter/video converter. Unfold Audio Options, then choose ".srt subtitle" in the Subtitle drop-down list.
    Converter5.png
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  8. 8
    Change the subtitle size, position, and font
    .
     
    1. Position: Adjust the slide bar to modify the position of the subtitles on the screen.
      Position 6.png
    2. Encoding: Set "UTF-8 (UTF-8)" as the default format for the subtitle encoding.
    3. Size: Decrease/increase scales of subtitles based on the movie width, height, and diagonal.
    4. Font: Follow this directory C:\Windows\Fonts\. Select your preferred font. Right click the font name to choose properties. Copy and paste the font name, like "ARIAL.TIF" to subtitle font option.
      Properties 7.png
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  9. 9
    After you have finished editing the subtitle options, click "OK" to return to the main interface
    .
    Arial 8.png
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  10. 10
    Preview the video prior to encoding
    .
    Video 9.png
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  11. 11
    Begin converting
    .
    Begin converting AVI file into the preferred output format if you the subtitles are exactly as you want them.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

How to Add Subtitles to Downloaded Videos

  1. 1
    Put your subtitle file and video file in the same folder
    .
    Video file 10.png
    The subtitle file must have exactly the same name as that of the video file. For example, if the video file name is "MyMovie.mp4", the subtitle must be "MyMovie", plus the extension, which may be .ssa, .srt, or another subtitle format. Both of the files must be in the same location on the computer.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  2. 2
    Download a video encoding program
    .
    Sam folder 11.png
    There are wide variety of encoding programs and video conversions available online, and mostly they can help you add the subtitles without much difficulty. One of the most popular and powerful solutions to use is TEncoder. This is an open-source video encoder that is free to download.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  3. 3
    Launch the video file in TEncoder
    .
    Downloaden 12.png
    Select the "Add File" button at the top of TEncoder window to choose the movie file that you like to add the subtitles to.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  4. 4
    Choose your video conversion options
    .
    Under the file list, there are many conversion options that need to be set before you continue. Most of the options can be left into their default settings. You may change every option to suit the needs of your project, but if you only want to add subtitles to the video, you don't have to change anything.
     
    1. If you want to change the format of the converted file, select a new format from the Video Codec list. If you want to keep the same format, choose "Copy" from the list.
    2. If you want to lessen the quality of the video to quicken the encoding process, select a lower Video Bitrate setting, but if you set it lower than the default, it may result in a noticeable reduction in quality.
      Selct vi 13.png
      Select vi14.png
      Selct vi15.png
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  5. 5
    Activate the subtitles
    .
    Enable 16.png
    In the "Other Options" portion, check the box next to "Enabled Subtitles". Your subtitle file should be in the same folder as the video, and should have the same file name, or else the subtitle will not load.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  6. 6
    Activate the two passes for the encode
    .
    Enable pass 17.png
    When you want the final video have a higher quality, check the box next to "Do Two Passes". This will process the encoding procedure twice, and it results in a higher quality video. The encoding process will last twice long as usual.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  7. 7
    Begin encoding
    .
    When you have all the options configured, select the "Encode" button to begin the process. This may last quite a while if you have a slow computer. So only begin encoding if you know you will not need to use the computer for few hours.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  • Higher quality processing and longer videos will last much longer than lower quality settings.

How to Add Subtitles in YouTube Videos

  1. 1
    Upload the video
    .
    If you have uploaded the video, proceed to step 2. To upload the video, click on "Upload" on the YouTube site. Follow the instructions to upload to YouTube.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  • 2
    Create subtitles
    .
    To make subtitles, launch the program "Notepad" on Windows. Mac users must use "TextEdit", in the Application folder. Type in what the people say in the video and separate the lines with spacing. If written down, save it as ".txt" file to the Desktop.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  • 3
    Use the special editing tool of YouTube
    .
    YouTube has a tool that allows you to upload a text file and it will determine the lines on the video. Add your subtitles and go to the video. Above the player there are editing options. Click on the option saying "Edit Captions/Subtitles".
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  • 4
    Place your script on the video
    .
    Select "Add New Captions or Transcript". And now you can upload the script you wrote earlier. Select "Browse" then find your ".txt" file. And choose "Open".
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  • 5
    Verify the kind of file
    .
    Select the option "Transcript file" then name it. It's best to name the file the same as the video. Select "Upload file".
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  • 6
    YouTube will do the rest
    .
    YouTube will determine if someone is speaking and place the correct subtitle underneath when it is being said. When it is complete, go back to the video, then play. Be sure to press "CC" on the player. Then you're done.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    • How to Add Subtitles to a Movie

    1. 1
      You can add subtitles in a movie by using Freemake Video Converter
      .
      Embed subtitles in a foreign language or for a video with poor sound.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    2. 2
      Add video
      .
      Add video 19.png
      Launch Freemake Video Converter. Choose "+ Video" button then add the movie you want to add subtitles to.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    3. 3
      Add subtitles
      .
      Add sub 20.png
      Search for the subtitles of the movie on the Internet. The supported formats are ASS< SRT, and SSA. Choose "Add subtitles" on the video line, and import the subtitles.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    4. 4
      Save video with subtitles
      .
      Adjust 21.png
      To save the movie with subtitles, choose the output video format MKV, AVI, MP4, FLV, or device: Samsung, Android, iPad then click "Convert".
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    How to Add Subtitles to a Video Using Movavi

    1. 1
      Install Movavi Video Editor on the computer
      .
      When it's installed, or if you've already downloaded it, launch it and follow the directions in the pop-up window to complete the installation.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    2. 2
      Place your video in the editor
      .
      Choose "Add Media Files" on the main panel and find the file that you'd like to edit. Go to the "Media" tab and drag and drop it into the timeline underneath.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    3. 3
      Insert subtitle
      .
      Choose the "Titles" button to access the menu of animated (dynamic) or simple (static) caption styles. You may preview it through the media player window by clicking the icons, using the left mouse button. As you select the style you want, right-click it, then choose where you want to place them on the video. If you'd like to place the subtitles on the blank screen at the end or beginning of the film, choose "Add to the End of the Video Track" or "Add to the Start of the Video Track". If you would like to put captions over the footage, select "Add to the Title Track". And double-click the title frame in the preview window, then type or paste in the text. Move the caption in the video frame to make it be suitable and legible for the video.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    4. 4
      Adjust the titles
      .
      Expand the "Settings" panel and choose the font and size of the caption. To modify the text color, move to the "Brush" tab. You may also add the titles with stylish animation or a shadow to the text.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    5. 5
      Save the video
      .
      Save the clip in one of the 180+ supported formats of multimedia: MKV, MP4, AVI, etc. Choose "Save Movie", then click "Save as Video File". If you are going to watch the video on a mobile device, click "Save for Mobile Device" and use one of the 200+ ready-made presets for Sony PSP, iPhone, Xbox, etc.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    Tips

    • To increase the chances that your subtitles are at the correct place, speak clearly in the video or else it may not work as well due to the background noise.
    • If YouTube's tool doesn't work, you may add subtitles using a video-editing program.
    • Spell check. Just make sure everything is spelled correctly, paying special attention to their - there and your - you're, and to - too - two.

    Warnings

    • Your subtitles may not be at the proper place at the proper time.
    • Do not upload a script that makes no sense or is offensive, since YouTube may not allow the video stay on the site.

    Questions and Answers

    How do I add shade down translation to an .srt file?

    I work in the field of Sbtaatl and I am having difficulty in some videos that show annoying ads at the bottom of the video. When you paste the video, it shows the translation above the ads. It makes it difficult. I want a way to add a shadow or black box at the bottom of the translation, thank you. I have tried: I have tried a lot. I think it was caused by: In my opinion there are some sentences that are added in srt file and those sentences are placed before the text or the translated word, or there is a specific program to add shade at the bottom of the translation (I think this thing is respect of software).

    Was this helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    Trying to raise up subtitle on freemake video converter.

    I'd like to know how to raise the subtitles a little higher on freemake video converter.

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    Merging subtitles into a movie?

    I tried a lot of software to successfully merge Arabic subtitles into movies so I can play them on my LCD screen using the thumb-drive, but all was in vain. All the software I used (freemake video converter, mkvmerge GUI... etc.) merged the English subtitles without a problem. Is there any way I can use the freemake video converter to merge Arabic subtitles in my English movies as smooth as I merge the English ones? If not, is there any other software that can do the job with the option to enlarge the font. Similar to freemake video converter? Please accept my respect. Thanks a million in advance.

    Was this helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    Hi I'm using TEncoder, trying to get the right sized subtitles at the bottom of the video.

    My default scale has been at 15 both times I've tried, & that is been too big. The position was at 100 the first time and looked to be closer to the bottom. It was at 15 the second time, but seemed to end up more toward the top.

    Was this helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    I'm having trouble adding subtitles to my video.

    My video has a really scratchy noise and I can't remove it at all. So I've decided to remove the sound completely and place subtitles at the bottom. However, I am unable to place the subs with the video. The software only lets me place it at the start or end of the video. Thanks in Advance'.'

    Was this helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    What is the industry standard for the position / placement of subtitles in video?

    I want to add subtitles, but I am not sure about the size and position and would like to adhere to an accepted norm or standard for subtitles. I have tried: Using Premiere Pro.

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    Good morning. I don't understand what "Default Scale" is?

    Trying to hardcode subtitles. What is default scale?

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    Well I don't know how to paste the subtitle file to the video?

    Well I don't know how to paste the subtitle file to the video. I have done the subtitle with note pad, trying different ways, still not getting how to paste the srt.file to the video

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    Hi! Can I play a text document subtitle without changing to srt?

    I recently made subtitle for a video using notepad. It is saved as "text document", I wonder if I could play it in player as it is without changing the format to srt.

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

    Comments

    VisiHow welcomes all comments. If you do not want to be anonymous, register or log in. It is free.

    Article Info

    Categories : Entertainment

    Recent edits by: Nuance, CarlO, Lusa

    Share this Article:

    Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 17,973 times.

    x

    Thank Our Volunteer Authors.

    Would you like to give back to the community by fixing a spelling mistake? Yes | No