How to Add Captions/Subtitles in CapCut (and Export SRT)

Add captions/subtitles in CapCut by generating auto-captions (fast) or typing captions manually (more control), then correcting words, adjusting timing, and exporting an SRT file from the captions/subtitles menu. Once you export, CapCut saves a standalone .srt you can share, upload to platforms, or re-import later to revise. This guide walks you through both methods, the best readability settings, and what to do when accuracy and accessibility matter.

• Primary keyword: add captions in CapCut

Key takeaways

• Use auto-captions for speed, but always review and correct names, numbers, and key terms.
• Use manual captions when you need exact wording, pacing, or SDH (sound effects and speaker IDs).
• Improve readability by keeping lines short, using high contrast, and avoiding over-styled text.
• Export captions as SRT so you can reuse them outside CapCut and re-import them for edits.
• For accessibility, add speaker labels and sound effects when they matter to understanding.

Captions vs. subtitles (quick definitions)

People use “captions” and “subtitles” interchangeably, but they often mean different things. Subtitles usually show dialogue only, while captions often include extra info like sound effects or speaker IDs.

If your goal is accessibility, use caption-style text (often called SDH), not dialogue-only subtitles.

Method 1: Add auto-captions in CapCut

Auto-captions can save a lot of time because CapCut transcribes speech and places text on the timeline. You still need to proofread because auto tools can miss words, punctuation, and speaker changes.

Step 1: Prepare your timeline

• Import your video/audio into CapCut and place it on the timeline.
• Trim dead air and obvious mistakes first, because changes later can shift caption timing.
• If you have background music, lower it so speech is clear before generating captions.

Step 2: Generate auto-captions and select language

Open the captions/subtitles tool in CapCut and choose the auto-captions option. Select the spoken language as accurately as you can, because the wrong language choice can reduce accuracy and cause weird word substitutions.

• Pick the language (and dialect/region if CapCut offers it).
• Choose whether to caption the full timeline or a selected clip (helpful for long projects).
• Start the auto-caption process and wait for the captions to appear on the timeline.

Step 3: Correct words, punctuation, and capitalization

Go through captions line by line while listening at normal speed, then again at 0.75x if needed for hard sections. Fix common issues first because they can affect clarity and meaning.

• Names and brands: People’s names, product names, and company names often need manual fixes.
• Numbers: Decide on a consistent style (e.g., “10” vs “ten”) and keep it steady.
• Punctuation: Add commas and periods so captions read naturally and don’t feel like one long run-on.
• Profanity and sensitive terms: Match your channel policy and keep it consistent.

Step 4: Split or merge caption blocks to improve pacing

Auto-captions often create odd line breaks or long caption blocks. Use CapCut’s caption editing controls to split a long caption into smaller blocks or merge short ones that flash too quickly.

• Split when a caption runs too long, includes two ideas, or needs a natural pause.
• Merge when captions appear for a fraction of a second or break mid-phrase.
• Try to break captions at natural speech points (between clauses), not in the middle of names or phrases.

Step 5: Adjust timing for readability

Even correct words can be hard to read if timing is off. Drag caption edges to match the spoken words, and avoid captions that pop on and off too fast.

• Make sure captions start close to when speech begins and end shortly after the phrase finishes.
• Check fast speech sections carefully, because auto timing can lag or overlap.
• Watch with sound off once, because that simulates how many viewers use captions.

Method 2: Add manual captions/subtitles in CapCut

Manual captions take longer, but they give you full control over wording, pacing, and accessibility details. This approach also works well when the audio is noisy, includes multiple speakers, or uses specialized terms.

Step 1: Add a caption/subtitle track

• Open the captions/subtitles tool and choose manual captions.
• Add a caption segment at the start of the spoken section you want to caption.
• Type the text, then adjust its start and end time on the timeline.

Step 2: Build consistent formatting rules

Before you type too much, decide on simple rules you can follow for the entire video. This keeps your captions clean and easier to edit.

• Use sentence case (not ALL CAPS) unless you need emphasis.
• Keep each caption focused on one short idea.
• Use consistent punctuation and apostrophes (especially in contractions).

Step 3: Add speaker IDs and sound effects (SDH) when needed

SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) adds non-speech information that helps viewers understand what’s happening. Add these elements when they add meaning, not for every tiny noise.

• Speaker IDs: Use labels like “JORDAN:” when the speaker is not obvious on-screen.
• Sound effects: Add short notes like “[door slams]” or “[applause]” when it matters.
• Music cues: Use notes like “[soft music]” or “[dramatic music]” when mood changes matter.

For U.S. accessibility guidance, you can review the W3C WAI captions overview for practical caption principles.

Style choices in CapCut: make captions easy to read

CapCut lets you style caption text with fonts, colors, backgrounds, and effects. For most content, readability beats “cool” styling because people watch on phones in bright places.

Readable caption settings (simple defaults)

• Font: Choose a clean sans-serif font.
• Size: Large enough for mobile viewing without covering faces.
• Contrast: White text with a dark outline, shadow, or box background usually works well.
• Position: Bottom center is standard, but move captions up if they cover important visuals.
• Effects: Avoid heavy animations; they can slow reading and distract.

Line length and breaks (what to aim for)

• Keep captions to 1–2 lines when possible.
• Break lines at natural points (after a phrase), not mid-name or mid-verb.
• If a single caption feels dense, split it into two shorter blocks.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Low-contrast colors (like yellow on white) that disappear on bright screens.
• Tiny text that looks fine on desktop but fails on mobile.
• Overlapping captions that remain on screen after the next line starts.
• Burning in captions when you still need an editable SRT for other platforms.

How to export SRT from CapCut (and where to find it)

An SRT is a plain text subtitle file that stores caption text and timecodes. Exporting SRT is useful if you want to upload captions to YouTube, share them with a client, translate them, or revise them outside CapCut.

Step-by-step: export your captions as SRT

• Open your caption/subtitle track and confirm timing looks correct across the whole video.
• Find the export option for captions/subtitles (not just video export).
• Select SRT as the format and export the file.

Export settings to double-check

• Format: SRT (not “burn-in” only).
• Language: Make sure the exported track matches the language you want to deliver.
• Timing: Scan the start and end of the file to ensure timecodes cover the full video.

Where the SRT is saved

CapCut typically saves exported files to the location you choose during export (such as a project folder, your computer’s Downloads folder, or a device storage folder). If you can’t find it, export again and note the save path shown in the export dialog, or search your device for “.srt”.

How to re-import an SRT into CapCut for revisions

Re-importing helps when you edit captions in another tool, receive client changes, or get a corrected transcript and want to update timing and text in CapCut. Keep your video edit stable first, because major timeline changes can throw off subtitle timing.

Step-by-step: re-import and sync

• Open the CapCut project and confirm your current video timeline is final (or close to final).
• Use the import captions/subtitles option and select your .srt file.
• Check alignment at the beginning, middle, and end of the video.
• If timing drift appears, adjust with small shifts or re-time specific blocks rather than rewriting everything.

Tip: keep version control simple

• Name files clearly (example: projectname_en_v3.srt).
• Save a copy before major edits so you can roll back.
• If you deliver to a client, export both the video and the SRT so revisions stay easy.

Accuracy and accessibility: when auto-captions are not enough

Auto-captions help you move fast, but they can mishear audio, drop words, and confuse speakers. If your video includes legal, medical, academic, or brand-sensitive content, you should plan for a stronger review step.

When to proof with a human review (and why)

• Multiple speakers with interruptions or cross-talk.
• Accents or fast speech that auto-captions often misread.
• Proper nouns (names, places, product terms) that must be correct.
• Noisy audio (wind, crowds, music under dialogue).
• Accessibility deliverables where SDH elements matter.

If you already generated captions in CapCut, you can export the SRT and have it reviewed and corrected by a human, then re-import the updated file for final timing tweaks. If you want a lighter lift, a proofreading workflow can also help; see transcription proofreading services.

How to handle SDH elements (sound effects and speaker IDs)

SDH is about meaning, not noise. Add only what helps a viewer follow the story, instructions, or mood.

• Speaker labels: Use when the speaker changes off-screen, when two voices sound similar, or when it’s not obvious who is talking.
• Sound effects: Put in brackets, keep them short, and describe the source when it matters (example: “[phone rings]”).
• Tone cues: Use sparingly (example: “[whispers]” or “[sarcastic]”) when tone changes the meaning.

If you publish content for broad audiences, it also helps to review caption basics under the U.S. Department of Justice web accessibility guidance, since accessibility expectations can affect public-facing media.

Common questions

• Can I edit auto-captions in CapCut?
  Yes. After generating auto-captions, you can edit the text, split/merge blocks, and adjust timing on the timeline.
• What’s the difference between exporting a video with captions and exporting an SRT?
  A video export with captions “burns in” the text so it can’t be turned off, while an SRT is a separate file you can upload, edit, and reuse.
• Why do my captions go out of sync after I edit my video?
  Caption timing depends on the timeline. Big trims or moving clips can shift timing, so it’s best to finalize edits before polishing captions.
• How do I fix captions that appear too fast?
  Merge short blocks, extend the caption duration, or split long captions into smaller parts that match natural pauses.
• Where do I find the SRT after export?
  Check the save location you selected during export (like a project folder or Downloads). If you’re unsure, search your device for files ending in “.srt”.
• Can I translate my SRT subtitles?
  Yes. You can translate the text and keep the timecodes, or create a new language track. For help with multilingual deliverables, see Text Translation services.
• Should I include sound effects in my subtitles?
  Include sound effects and speaker IDs when you want accessibility (SDH) or when non-speech audio is important to understanding.

Next step: get captions you can trust

CapCut makes it easy to create captions fast, but a clean, accurate SRT often needs a careful review—especially for names, technical terms, and SDH elements. If you want help refining a transcript or turning your audio into a polished caption file, GoTranscript offers professional transcription services that fit into a simple export-and-reimport workflow.