How to Caption YouTube Videos in 3 Easy Ways

How to Caption YouTube Videos: A Beginner’s Guide

Captions help YouTube videos reach more viewers and boost engagement. Studies show that captioning can increase video watch time by at least 12% (2016). Over 90% of social media video viewers will watch content with captions until the end, but only about two-thirds finish videos without them.

If you want to grow your YouTube channel, adding captions is a smart move. This guide breaks down the main methods for captioning your videos—whether you choose to do it yourself, use automated tools, or hire professionals.

DIY Captioning: Where to Start

Many YouTubers work from a video script, making captions easier to create. If you don’t have a script, you can still generate captions using a few practical steps.

Manual Transcription for Captions

Transcribing spoken words by hand is a reliable method. It takes more effort but gives you full control over caption accuracy.

• Open your YouTube video and a word processor (like Notepad or Google Docs) side by side.
• Use good-quality headphones to catch every detail.
• Play the video, type what you hear, and pause as needed.
• After transcribing, review the text to correct errors.
• Save the transcript for the next step.

Tip: Slowing the playback speed can help capture every word, especially for longer videos. For high accuracy, consider using professional transcription services.

Using Speech-to-Text Tools

If you have less time or your typing speed is slow, voice typing software can help.

• Open Google Docs in Chrome and go to Tools > Voice Typing.
• Click the microphone icon to start listening.
• Play your YouTube video so the microphone picks up the audio.
• Google Docs will transcribe the speech in real time.
• Review and edit the text for mistakes.
• Save your finished transcript.

Microsoft’s speech-to-text tool works similarly. For even faster results, try automated transcription services.

Three Ways to Add Captions to YouTube Videos

1. Use YouTube Studio’s Caption Features

YouTube Studio makes it easy to add captions directly to your videos using closed captions, which viewers can turn on or off.

• Open YouTube Studio and go to "Content."
• Select the video you want to caption and click “Subtitles.”
• Click “Add” to upload a file or type captions manually.
• For pre-written transcripts, paste the text using "Type manually." Adjust the timing as needed.
• Click “Publish” to save your captions.

Closed captions are best for accessibility and offer flexibility to viewers. YouTube also lets you use “Auto-Sync” to automatically align your transcript with audio if your text is accurate.

2. Add Open Captions Using Video Editing Software

Open captions are permanently burned into your video, so they are always visible. Video editing programs like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro X can help, but this method requires more technical skill.

• Start a new captions file within your video project.
• Paste or type your transcript into the captions panel.
• Edit the timing so captions match your video’s audio line by line.
• Customize the font, color, and position for clarity.
• Export your video with captions embedded.

Viewers cannot turn open captions off, so consider your audience preferences before choosing this option. For guidance, explore closed caption services or subtitling services.

3. Upload YouTube-Compatible Caption Files

YouTube accepts special caption file formats, including .srt and .vtt. Creating these files gives you precise control over the appearance and timing of captions.

• Create your captions in a text editor and save as .srt or .vtt.
• Go to YouTube Studio and select your video.
• Under "Subtitles," click “Upload file” and choose the correct format.
• Review the captions and adjust timing if needed.
• Publish to make the captions available.

Not familiar with caption formats? You can use online tools, or rely on professional services that deliver files ready for YouTube upload. Learn about captioning services pricing before you start.

Using Automated Captioning Features

YouTube offers automatic captioning for videos in certain languages, such as English, Spanish, and Japanese. This uses speech recognition technology to generate captions automatically.

• Open YouTube Studio and select your video.
• Go to "Subtitles"—YouTube may have already generated captions labeled as “(Automatic).”
• Click to review these auto-generated captions.
• Edit any errors, as automatic captions can struggle with accents, background noise, or complex language (2023).
• Save your changes.

While convenient, always edit YouTube’s automated captions for accuracy. If you need captions in multiple languages, check out text translation services or audio translation service.

Professional Captioning Services: A Hassle-Free Solution

Captioning videos can be complex and time-consuming. If you want accurate captions without the hassle, professional services are available.

• Experts quickly transcribe and caption your videos.
• Accuracy rates with human editors are often above 99% (2022).
• You can order ready-to-upload caption files compatible with YouTube.
• Some services update your YouTube videos automatically with captions.

Professional captioning saves time, raises the quality of your videos, and makes your channel more accessible. To get started, check current captioning services pricing or order captions instantly online.

Conclusion

Learning how to caption YouTube videos pays off in better view times, higher subscriber counts, and improved accessibility. Whether you caption videos by hand, use software tools, or choose automated and professional solutions, the right captions make your content more engaging and welcoming to all viewers.

For creators looking to save time or achieve the highest accuracy, GoTranscript’s closed captioning solutions offer everything you need. From automated transcription and proofreading to translation, GoTranscript can help you reach a global audience with professional, affordable captions and subtitles.