Add subtitles in YouTube
Generate YouTube subtitles with AI in a few minutes, then export them as SRT, VTT or many other formats, ready to add to your video in YouTube.
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How to add subtitles in YouTube
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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.
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Select the language of the video
We support more than 150 languages, dialects, and accents.
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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 YouTube.
Upload SRT captions to YouTube Studio
Step by step
- Upload your video to HappyScribe, or connect your channel through the YouTube integration and import the video directly.
- Choose the spoken language. The AI creates subtitles in a few minutes, in 150+ languages, with up to 98% accuracy.
- Review the text, timing and line length in the online subtitle editor. Translate the subtitles into 80+ languages if you want extra tracks.
- Export an SRT or WebVTT file, or push the subtitles straight to your video with the YouTube integration.
- In YouTube Studio, select "Subtitles" in the left menu, open your video, click "Add language" and choose the language.
- Under "Subtitles", click "Add", select "Upload file", choose "With timing", pick your file and click "Save".
Subtitle files YouTube accepts
YouTube accepts SRT, WebVTT (.vtt), SCC and EBU-STL, which HappyScribe all exports, plus several other formats listed in YouTube's supported file guide. SRT is the simplest choice: YouTube reads it as plain UTF-8 text and ignores any styling. WebVTT keeps caption positions and basic bold, italic and underline. SCC is the broadcast option for CEA-608 captions.
Caption track or burned-in subtitles?
For regular YouTube videos, upload a caption file. Viewers can switch it on or off and pick their language, you can fix a typo later without re-uploading the video, and each language gets its own track.
Burn subtitles into the picture only when the text must always be visible, for example on a clip you also post to social media. YouTube Studio has no burn-in option, so add the subtitles to the video in HappyScribe, export it with the subtitles burned in, then upload that file.
YouTube subtitles: FAQ
Does YouTube create automatic captions?
Yes, YouTube can create automatic captions, but only in the video's default language. Uploading your own reviewed file gives you control over names, technical terms and punctuation, and lets you add translated tracks.
How do I add subtitles in several languages on YouTube?
Add one subtitle file per language with "Add language" in YouTube Studio. HappyScribe translates your subtitles into 80+ languages, and the YouTube integration can push each language to the video as its own track.
Should I choose "With timing" or "Without timing"?
Choose "With timing" for HappyScribe files, because SRT and WebVTT exports already contain timecodes. "Without timing" is meant for plain transcripts that YouTube has to sync itself.
Why does my SRT file lose its formatting on YouTube?
YouTube ignores style markup in SRT files. If you need italics or caption positions, upload WebVTT or SCC instead, or burn the styled subtitles into the video before you upload it.
Export subtitles in the format you need
Download your subtitles as SRT, VTT or another standard format to use with YouTube and any other editor or video platform. If a tool doesn't accept subtitle files, download the video with the subtitles burned in instead.
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 YouTube are ready for viewers everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is YouTube?
YouTube is Google's video-sharing platform, where creators, brands and organizations upload, publish and manage videos through YouTube Studio, including subtitles and closed captions in multiple languages.
How do I add subtitles in YouTube?
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 YouTube, or download the video with the subtitles burned in.
How long does it take to generate subtitles for YouTube?
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 YouTube.
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 YouTube 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
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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
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