Guide
How to add captions to a video
By the Samsaam team · Published · 5 min read
To add captions to a video automatically, upload it to an AI caption generator, let it transcribe the speech into timed captions, correct any words, choose a style, and export — either a video with the captions burned in or a subtitle file such as SRT. For a short clip the whole process takes a few minutes.
Which export you need depends on where the video is going, so start by choosing between open and closed captions.
Open captions or closed captions?
| Open (burned-in) captions | Closed captions (subtitle file) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Captions drawn into the video frames | A separate text file with timings, such as SRT or VTT |
| Viewer can turn off | No | Yes, on platforms that support it |
| Styling and animation | Any style, fully animated | Plain text; the player decides the look |
| Best for | TikTok, Reels, Shorts, ads and anywhere styles matter | YouTube long-form, courses, accessibility workflows |
Short-form apps such as TikTok and Instagram generally do not take subtitle file uploads, which is why creators burn captions in. YouTube accepts SRT and VTT files, so long-form videos often use both.
Three ways to add captions to a video
- Use the platform’s own auto captions. Quick and free, but the captions live only inside that app, with few styles and limited editing.
- Upload a subtitle file. Accurate and switchable on platforms that accept SRT or VTT — you still need to produce the file.
- Burn in captions with an AI caption app. The captions become part of the video, so they look the same everywhere and can be styled and animated.
How to add captions automatically with Samsaam
- Upload an MP4, MOV or WebM file.
- Choose the spoken language — 90+ are supported — and the script, such as Hindi in Devanagari or as Hinglish.
- Review the word-timed captions and fix names, brands or slang in the editor.
- Pick a style from 30+ animated presets, or keep it simple with a clean one.
- Export a burned-in video, or download SRT, VTT, ASS, TXT or DOCX.
Want the captions to move with the speech? Follow how to add animated captions.
Tips for accurate captions
- Record close to the microphone; background music and room echo are the main causes of errors.
- Pick the exact language spoken, not the one you want the captions in — translate afterwards if needed.
- Keep lines short: two or three words per line reads best on a phone.
- Keep captions inside the platform’s safe zone so buttons and descriptions don’t cover them.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add captions to a video for free?
Most platforms offer free built-in auto captions. Samsaam’s free plan also lets you caption videos and preview them with a watermark; exporting needs a paid plan.
Should I burn captions in or upload an SRT?
Burn them in for short-form platforms and anywhere the style matters; upload an SRT where viewers should be able to switch captions off, such as YouTube long-form.
Caption your next video with Samsaam
Animated captions in minutes, starting on the free plan.