How to add subtitles to TikTok

Adding subtitles to your TikTok videos is one of the most effective ways to make your content more engaging, accessible, and understandable. Subtitles not only help viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing but also keep your audience interested even when they’re watching without sound — which is how most people scroll through TikTok. Whether you’re a content creator, business owner, or casual user, learning how to add subtitles can significantly improve your video’s reach and impact.

This detailed guide explains how to add subtitles to TikTok using both the app’s built-in tools and third-party apps for more advanced customization.

1. Table of Contents

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   Why Subtitles Matter on TikTok

Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand why adding subtitles is worth your effort:

• Accessibility: Subtitles make your videos inclusive to people with hearing difficulties.
• Higher Engagement: Many TikTok users watch videos without sound — subtitles help them follow along.
• Better Retention: When viewers can read along, they’re more likely to stay and finish watching.
• Global Audience Reach: Subtitles help break language barriers if you have international followers.
• SEO Advantage: TikTok’s algorithm detects text in videos, which can improve discoverability.

2. How to Add Automatic Subtitles on TikTok

TikTok offers a built-in auto-caption feature that automatically generates subtitles for your speech using voice recognition.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Open TikTok and tap the ‘+’ button to create a new video.
2. Record or upload your video as usual.
3. Tap the checkmark (✔) to go to the editing screen.
4. On the right-hand menu, tap “Captions.”
5. TikTok will automatically detect the speech in your video and generate subtitles.
6. Review the captions and tap “Edit” to correct any errors.
7. You can also adjust the text style, size, and placement to fit your video layout.
8. Once you’re satisfied, tap Save to apply the subtitles.

TikTok’s automatic captioning tool is fast and convenient, but sometimes the AI may misinterpret words, especially with background noise or accents. Always review and edit the captions before posting.

3. How to Add Subtitles Manually on TikTok

If you want more control over how your subtitles look or if your video doesn’t have clear audio, you can manually add text to appear as subtitles.

Follow these steps:

1. Record or upload your video to TikTok.
2. Tap the checkmark (✔) to move to the editing page.
3. Tap the “Text (Aa)” icon at the bottom of the screen.
4. Type the words you want to display as subtitles.
5. Tap the text color and font options to customize your subtitles.
6. Drag the text to position it near the bottom of the screen — just like regular captions.
7. Tap the “Set duration” option to make the text appear and disappear at the right moments in your video.
8. Repeat the process for every line or scene that needs subtitles.
9. Once done, preview your video to make sure the timing is perfect.

This manual method takes more time but gives you full creative freedom over timing, style, and formatting.

4. How to Add Subtitles Using Third-Party Apps

If you want more advanced editing options — such as animated subtitles, multi-language captions, or stylized text — using a third-party editing app can help.

Some popular apps for adding subtitles to TikTok videos include:

• CapCut (officially integrated with TikTok)
• InShot
• VEED.io
• Clideo
• Subtitle Edit Pro

Here’s how to do it using CapCut, which is free and easy to use:

1. Download and open CapCut on your phone.
2. Tap “New Project” and upload your video.
3. Tap “Text”, then choose “Auto Captions.”
4. The app will automatically generate subtitles for all spoken words.
5. Edit any incorrect words and adjust timing.
6. Customize font, color, size, and animation styles.
7. Once satisfied, tap “Export” to save the video to your gallery.
8. Open TikTok and upload the video from your gallery — your subtitles will already be embedded.

This method is ideal for professional content creators who want polished, brand-aligned subtitles.

5. How to Edit and Customize Subtitles on TikTok

Whether you’re using auto or manual captions, TikTok allows for several customization options to make your subtitles stand out:

• Change Font Style: Choose from multiple fonts to match your video’s tone.
• Adjust Text Color: Use bright or contrasting colors for readability.
• Background Color: Add a background box to make text more visible.
• Placement: Keep subtitles above the bottom TikTok UI (so they’re not blocked by icons or captions).
• Timing Control: Fine-tune when subtitles appear and disappear using the “Set Duration” feature.

6. Tips for Effective Subtitles

To make your subtitles more effective and viewer-friendly, consider these best practices:

• Keep sentences short and simple for quick reading.
• Match the timing perfectly with speech.
• Avoid clutter — ensure subtitles don’t cover important visuals.
• Use consistent font and color throughout your video.
• Always proofread for grammar and spelling

Troubleshooting Common Subtitle Issues

• Auto-captions not showing? Ensure that “Captions” are turned on and your TikTok app is updated.
• Text out of sync? Use the “Set Duration” option to fix the timing manually.
• Captions cover video elements? Move the text higher on the screen.
• Want to delete subtitles? Tap the caption text and hit “Delete.”

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