How to add captions in CapCut

To add captions in CapCut, open your project, tap Text (or Captions), choose Auto captions, pick the spoken language and generate. Then proofread every line, set a bold font with an outline, reduce words per line, move captions above the platform buttons, and export. CapCut's app layout changes often, but the steps stay the same.

On the phone app

1. Open CapCut and start a New project with your clip.
2. Tap Text in the bottom toolbar, then Auto captions (in newer versions, tap Captions directly).
3. Choose the spoken language and generate.
4. Tap Edit or Batch edit to fix wrong words. Check names, brands and numbers first.
5. Tap a caption, then Style: pick a heavy font, add a black stroke, and choose a highlight or animation template if you want the word-by-word look.
6. Drag captions to the middle of the frame, above where TikTok and Reels put their buttons.
7. Export at 1080p.

On desktop

1. Import your video and drag it to the timeline.
2. Go to Captions in the top panel and choose Auto captions.
3. Select the language and click Create.
4. Fix mistakes in the caption list on the right.
5. Style the caption track once; CapCut applies it to every caption.
6. Export.

Make CapCut captions readable

• Bold font, thick outline. Thin text disappears on busy backgrounds.
• Few words per line. One to four words at a time is the short-form norm.
• Centre, not bottom. The bottom of the screen is covered by the platform's caption and buttons.
• Highlight the spoken word with a template for extra hold. See Hormozi-style captions and MrBeast-style captions.
• Proofread. Auto captions get names and slang wrong.

If you're captioning clips from long videos

CapCut captions one video at a time. If you cut several clips from each podcast or webinar every week, the captioning adds up. ClipFlame cuts the clips from your long video and burns in word-by-word captions in one step, in seven styles and 9 languages. You can still open any clip in CapCut afterwards for extra effects.

Posting to TikTok? See how to add captions on TikTok. Adding a subtitle file instead? See how to add subtitles to an MP4.

Common questions

Why can't I find Auto captions in CapCut?

It moves between versions. Look under Text or Captions, and update the app. Availability can also vary by region and account.

Are CapCut auto captions free?

Basic auto captions are free. Some caption templates and effects need a paid plan.

Can CapCut auto-caption in Hindi?

CapCut supports many languages for auto captions; check the language list in the app. For Hindi clips with properly shaped Devanagari, see the Hindi subtitle generator.