Add subtitles in Vimeo

Step by step

1. Upload your video to HappyScribe, or connect your account through the Vimeo integration and import it from your Vimeo folders.
2. Choose the spoken language. The AI creates subtitles in a few minutes, in 150+ languages, with up to 98% accuracy.
3. Check the text and timing in the online subtitle editor, and translate the subtitles into 80+ languages if you need more tracks.
4. Export WebVTT (.vtt), the format Vimeo recommends, or SRT. With the integration, you can push VTT captions straight to the video instead.
5. In Vimeo, open the video from your Library and select the "Languages" button in the toolbar to the left of the player.
6. Select "+", upload your file, set the "Language" and the "Type" (Subtitle or Caption), select "Upload", then toggle the track on.

Caption formats Vimeo supports

Vimeo supports SRT and WebVTT files for captions and subtitles and recommends WebVTT. Files must be UTF-8 encoded so accents and special characters display correctly, so if you edit an export in another program, save it as UTF-8. Vimeo's own captions guide covers the upload window in detail.

Caption track or burned-in subtitles?

A caption track is the right default on Vimeo. Viewers turn it on with the CC button, choose a language and can adjust how captions look in the player. You can also download, replace or edit the file later from the track's menu without touching the video.

Burn subtitles in only when the same clip will be shared where captions can't be switched on, such as social feeds. Export the video with burned-in subtitles from HappyScribe and upload that file to Vimeo.

Vimeo subtitles: FAQ

Can Vimeo generate subtitles automatically?

Yes, Vimeo offers automatic subtitles on free and paid accounts, plus AI translation of subtitles. HappyScribe helps when you want to review every line in an editor, work in 150+ languages and reuse the same files on other platforms, like YouTube.

Why does Vimeo reject my SRT file?

Usually the file is not valid SRT or not UTF-8 encoded. Each cue needs a number, a timecode written as 00:00:00,000 and a blank line after the text, so re-export the file or switch to WebVTT.

Should I choose Subtitle or Caption as the type?

Choose Caption for same-language text that also describes sounds, for deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers, and Subtitle for a translation of the dialogue. Pick the language that matches the file.

Can one Vimeo video have subtitles in several languages?

Yes, upload one file per language from the "Languages" window and toggle each track on. Viewers then pick their language in the player.