How to Add Subtitles to YouTube Shorts [4 Ways 2024]🆕

YouTube Shorts are bite-sized videos designed for mobile viewing, offering content creators a creative outlet for concise content. Subtitles are essential for Shorts as they enhance accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing and broaden the reach to global audiences.

Ready to take your YouTube Shorts to the next level with compelling subtitles? No matter if you're working from your PC, exploring online options, or trying out an app, we've got you covered.

In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to add captions to YouTube videos and Shorts, enhancing accessibility and boosting viewer engagement. Let's dive into the easy-to-follow steps!

Can You Add Subtitles to YouTube

Yes, you can add subtitles, also known as captions, to your YouTube videos or Shorts. Adding subtitles has several benefits, including making your content more accessible to a wider audience, improving engagement, and enhancing search visibility. But note that there're slight differences between subtitles vs. closed captions.

Subtitles help viewers understand your videos even in noisy environments or when they can't listen to audio. Additionally, subtitles can be translated into different languages, making your videos more accessible to international viewers.

YouTube provides tools for manually adding subtitles, and in some cases, it also offers automated captioning features that you can refine for accuracy.

How to Add Subtitles to YouTube Shorts in 4 Ways

Now that you understand the importance of subtitles let's explore the four effective methods to add closed captions to a video or your YouTube Shorts.

1. Get Captions on PC/Mac💻

Top the list is the EaseUS VideoKit for both Windows and macOS, which is an AI-based video editor and auto subtitle generator. Users are able to create, edit, or open SRT file or TXT format in the player. Over 200 fonts, various font sizes, and color are available.

This tool supports 1000+ video formats for a smooth video editing experience and doubles as a vocal remover to remove distortion from audio and noise reducer for videos.

Major features:

• AI-powered automatic subtitle generator and editor
• Trim, cut, merge, compress, and convert video
• Remove wind noise from videos
• Convert audio to video

Free DownloadSupport Windows&macOS Free DownloadSupport macOS&Windows

Add and customize subtitles for YouTube short videos:

Step 1. Open EaseUS VideoKit and find the "Subtitle Generator" panel.

Step 2. Click "Choose File" or drag the YouTube video file to the interface.

Step 3. Wait for the AI analyzing.

Step 4. Click the "Text" button to change the text, or customize font, background, and position under "Style" menu.

Step 5. Click "Export Subtitle" to select exported subtitle format, "Save to" to change location, and press "Export" to export the video with subtitles.

2. Add Subtitles in YouTube Studio📻

Adding Subtitles in YouTube Studio is just the beginning. YouTube offers three distinct methods for seamlessly incorporating subtitles into your videos. Now, let's delve into the step-by-step process of each approach, ensuring you have all the tools you need to make your content accessible and engaging. Here's how you can take full advantage of these options:

Step 1. Visit YouTube Studio and log in.

Step 2. Go to the "Subtitles" tab and select the Shorts video, or from the "Content," open the target video and click "Subtitles."

Step 3. Select the language and click "Confirm," then click "ADD."

Step 4. Select how you want to add captions.

• Upload file: Upload a finished subtitle file with dialogues, time codes, and even position or style info included.
• Auto-sync: Automatically timed to match the spoken words and corresponding scenes in the video, only available for the video's original language.
• Type manually: Create subtitles by typing them as you watch the video.
• Auto-translate: Automatically translate the captions in the video; you need to publish the subtitles with the original language in the video first. It is not for auto-generated captions.

Step 5. Check your subtitles and optimize them manually.

Step 6. After that, hit "Save Draft" > "Publish."

Don't keep this valuable knowledge to yourself—share this article with your friends and fellow content creators online, and help spread the word about the power of adding subtitles to YouTube Shorts!

3. Enable Subtitles Online📺

FlexClip is a free online subtitle editor that allows users to generate subtitles in an automatic, manual way or upload the subtitle file. You can also use the text-to-speech feature to do a voiceover for more fun. It supports multiple formats like MP4, MOV, M4V, MP3, WebM, etc., and 140 languages. But you have only one free trial before upgrading your plan; the subtitle accuracy is not so great, and you have to export with a watermark for the free plan.

Step 1. Go to the FlexClip website and sign up for it.

Step 2. Click "Upload Files" to upload your video.

Step 3. In the "Subtitle" panel, choose the generation method. To save time and effort, we choose "Auto AI Subtitle" here.

Step 4. Select the language used in the media and content to generate subtitles.

Step 5. Click "Next" and choose the subtitle lines and styles. Press "Generate."

Step 6. Click the blue points above the timeline to correct any errors, and use "Subtitle to Speech" to do a voiceover. Then, "Export" the video with subtitles.

4. Acquire Subtitles on Phone📱

You can add subtitles to a video on CapCut on iPhone, Android, web browser, and desktop. After CapCut auto-generates the captions, you have the option to make manual edits. Just choose the video's language, and CapCut will generate text according to the audio. This convenient feature streamlines the process and provides customization choices for accurate captions.

However, it's important to note that the accuracy might not always be perfect, and the tool lacks extensive configuration options. The step-by-step process is outlined below.

Step 1. Open CapCut on your mobile device and create a new project.

Step 2. Import your video clip and find the "Text" at the bottom.

Step 3. Select "Add text" to edit subtitles manually or "Auto Caption" for convenience.

Step 4. Select the sound source from "Original sound," "Voiceover," or "Both."

Step 5. Choose the language used in the video and click "Start."

Step 6. Fine-tune the caption text and add your personal style to the subtitles.

See the video guide here🎬

Wrapping up

Incorporating subtitles into your YouTube Shorts has never been easier. Whether you choose the PC, online, or app-based method, the benefits are substantial: broader accessibility, increased engagement, and improved searchability.

For PC users, tools like EaseUS VideoKit offer a seamless way to add and customize subtitles, enhancing the viewer experience. So, whether you're sharing moments, knowledge, or entertainment through your Shorts, remember that subtitles not only amplify your impact but also connect you with a more diverse and global audience.

Free DownloadSupport Windows&macOS Free DownloadSupport macOS&Windows

Generate Subtitles to YouTube Shorts FAQs

1. Can you add subtitles to the shorts?

Yes, you can add subtitles to shorts. You have several options to add captions to your video content through YouTube Shorts. These methods encompass Manual caption input via YouTube Studio, utilization of auto-generated captions by YouTube, and employing software or a mobile app to integrate open captions that display directly on the video.

2. Do YouTube Shorts need subtitles?

Subtitles are valuable for YouTube Shorts. They boost accessibility and viewer engagement, benefiting all viewers, including those who are hearing-impaired or watch without sound.

3. Does YouTube Shorts have text to speech?

The text-to-speech feature is not available in YouTube Shorts. To use such a function, you can employ a tool like EaseUS VideoKit, which transcribes your words automatically.