Add subtitles in Lightworks

Generate Lightworks subtitles with AI in a few minutes, then export them as SRT, VTT or many other formats, ready to add to your video in Lightworks.

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How to add subtitles in Lightworks

Upload your video

With our uploader, you can import your file from anywhere, whether it's on your laptop, Google Drive, YouTube, or Dropbox. The first 10 minutes are free and there's no file limit.
Select the language of the video

We support more than 150 languages, dialects, and accents.
Click "Export" and choose your file format

Download your subtitles and closed captions as SRT, VTT or another format, then add them to your video in Lightworks.

Import an SRT subtitle file into Lightworks

Step by step

Upload your video to HappyScribe (start with the free trial) and choose the spoken language. More than 150 languages are supported.
Let the AI generate the subtitles, usually in a few minutes, then check names, timing and line length in the online subtitle editor.
Export the subtitles as SRT, the only subtitle format Lightworks imports.
In Lightworks, import the SRT file through the Import panel. Lightworks adds it to your project as a subtitle asset.
On the Edit tab, add the subtitles to the subtitle track of your sequence and review each line in the Subtitle panel.
Export your video with the subtitles as a separate file or burned in (see below).

Subtitle formats Lightworks accepts

Lightworks imports subtitle files in SRT format only and exports subtitles as SRT under the Interchange category of the export options. HappyScribe exports SRT directly, so no conversion is needed. Note that Lightworks reserves SRT import and export for Lightworks Pro. With the Free and Create editions you can still type subtitles by hand in the Subtitle panel, but importing a ready-made file requires Pro.

Sidecar SRT or burned-in subtitles?

A separate SRT file is best for YouTube, Vimeo and accessibility: viewers can turn captions off and you can upload several languages. When you export to YouTube, Lightworks uploads the subtitles with the video. To burn the subtitles in for Instagram, TikTok or players without caption support, use the Overlays option in the export settings and select Subtitles. Not on Lightworks Pro? HappyScribe can export your video with the subtitles already burned in.

Styling subtitles in Lightworks

In Lightworks Pro, the Subtitle panel lets you define a style with a name, position and font, and set the text size. Keep lines short (two lines at most) and leave captions in the lower third, inside the title safe area.

Lightworks subtitles: FAQ

Can I import SRT subtitles into Lightworks?

Yes, Lightworks imports SRT files as a subtitle asset, but SRT import requires a Lightworks Pro license. Generate the SRT in HappyScribe, then import it through the Import panel.

How do I burn subtitles into a Lightworks export?

Enable the Overlays option in the export settings and choose Subtitles. If your edition doesn't offer it, download the burned-in video from HappyScribe instead.

Can Lightworks upload subtitles to YouTube?

Yes, YouTube exports from Lightworks include the subtitle track as a separate subtitle file, including with the Free license.

How do I add subtitles in several languages?

Translate your subtitles in HappyScribe into 80+ languages and export one SRT per language. Moving between editors? See how it works in DaVinci Resolve or try the subtitle generator.

Export subtitles in the format you need

Download your subtitles as SRT, VTT or another standard format to use with Lightworks and any other editor or video platform. If a tool doesn't accept subtitle files, download the video with the subtitles burned in instead.

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Reach a global audience with translated subtitles

Generate subtitles in 150+ languages, dialects and accents, then translate them into 80+ languages with AI in a few clicks. Each translation keeps your original timecodes, so your videos in Lightworks are ready for viewers everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lightworks?

Lightworks is a professional non-linear video editor for Windows, macOS and Linux. It is available in Free, Create and Pro editions.

How do I add subtitles in Lightworks?

Upload your video to HappyScribe, let the AI generate subtitles in the language of your video, review them in the online editor and export an SRT or VTT file. Then add that file to your video in Lightworks, or download the video with the subtitles burned in.

How long does it take to generate subtitles for Lightworks?

With HappyScribe's AI, your subtitles are usually ready in a few minutes, depending on the length of your file. You can then review them in the online editor and export them for Lightworks.

Do you offer subtitle translation?

Yes. Once your subtitles are generated, you can translate them into 80+ languages with AI in a few clicks, and the timecodes stay in sync.

Can I upload Lightworks files from other platforms?

Yes. You can upload files from your computer or import them from Google Drive, Dropbox, Wistia, Vimeo, YouTube and other platforms.

Customer Reviews

4.7/5 on Trustpilot

HappyScribe is fantastic! I've used a lot of video captioning tools and never found one that is so accurate. It saves me so much time in captioning videos. I love it!
Allegra Chapman Trustpilot
I've been looking for an easy, affordable, and accurate way to add subtitles to videos. Until HappyScribe, I couldn't find anything that checked all the boxes. I'm really impressed with how accurate it is for such a low price point.
Kate Scott Trustpilot
By far the easiest service for transcriptions and subtitles I have found. I like that you can customize the font size and move the subtitles to the top or bottom of the video as needed.
Susan L. Trustpilot