How do I add subtitles to a YouTube video?

Transcribe the video in ReelCaption and fix any wrong words. Then download an .srt or .vtt and upload it under Subtitles in YouTube Studio, or export an MP4 with the captions burned in.

Should I use an SRT file or burned-in captions?

Use an .srt for long videos and burned-in captions for short clips. Viewers can switch an .srt off, while burned-in captions always show, even after the clip is shared elsewhere.

How accurate are the captions?

Usually close, but not perfect. ReelCaption uses OpenAI's Whisper large-v3 model, which can still mishear names, jargon and people talking over each other. Click any word to fix it before you export.

For short clips, yes. A free account covers 5 minutes a month, and a single free clip can be up to 5 minutes long. Longer recordings need Pro ($5 a month for 100 minutes) or Creator ($15 a month for 600 minutes).

Captions for · YouTube

Add captions and subtitles to YouTube videos

YouTube gives you 2 options. Upload a subtitle file that viewers can switch on and off, or burn captions into the picture so they always show. ReelCaption makes both from one transcript.

Caption a video free

Step by step

1Drop the video into ReelCaption. A wide 16:9 video stays 16:9, and files up to 1 GB work.
2Read the transcript on the timeline and fix names, numbers and anything misheard.
3For a subtitle track, download the .srt. In YouTube Studio, open the video, select Subtitles and upload the file with timing.
4For captions that always show, style them, export the MP4 and upload that version instead.

Tips for YouTube

A free clip can be up to 5 minutes. For longer videos, Pro covers 100 minutes of audio a month for $5.
For long videos, an .srt is usually the better choice. Viewers can turn it off, and YouTube gets your words as text.
For intros, trailers and clips you share elsewhere, burn the captions in so they stay with the video.
YouTube makes automatic captions, but you cannot style them. Uploading your own corrected .srt gives viewers your version.

Why ReelCaption

One transcript, 3 outputs: .srt, .vtt or a burned-in MP4.
Timing for every word, so each subtitle line starts when the speaker starts.
Your video stays on your computer. Only the audio is sent for transcription.
Pro is $5 a month for 100 minutes, for example 5 videos of 20 minutes.

FAQ

How do I add subtitles to a YouTube video?: Transcribe the video in ReelCaption and fix any wrong words. Then download an .srt or .vtt and upload it under Subtitles in YouTube Studio, or export an MP4 with the captions burned in.
Should I use an SRT file or burned-in captions?: Use an .srt for long videos and burned-in captions for short clips. Viewers can switch an .srt off, while burned-in captions always show, even after the clip is shared elsewhere.
How accurate are the captions?: Usually close, but not perfect. ReelCaption uses OpenAI's Whisper large-v3 model, which can still mishear names, jargon and people talking over each other. Click any word to fix it before you export.
Is it free?: For short clips, yes. A free account covers 5 minutes a month, and a single free clip can be up to 5 minutes long. Longer recordings need Pro ($5 a month for 100 minutes) or Creator ($15 a month for 600 minutes).

Guides for other platforms

Caption your next clip in a couple of minutes.