How to manually add and customize subtitles in an online video editor

Video & Audio

This guide provides a practical, repeatable approach to manual subtitling. The process emphasizes precision and clarity. Goal: Achieve accurate, synchronized captions that improve accessibility. Approach: Use a step-by-step workflow to add, time, and verify captions.

Who is this for?

- Content creators working with basic online editors.
- Editors preparing accessible video content.
- Writers who subtitle their own videos.
- Educators and trainers producing instructional clips.

Before you start

- Access to your video project.
- Transcript or caption draft.
- Basic familiarity with the editor's caption tool.

General Process (How it works)

  1. Open subtitle tool Locate the caption panel and enable it. This creates a dedicated track for captions, enabling precise timing.
  2. Add first caption Type the first line and set in/out times to match the spoken word. This anchors the caption to the audio.
  3. Sync timing Play back the video and adjust start/end times to reduce overlaps and gaps. Precise timing improves comprehension.
  4. Style subtitles Adjust font size, color, and background for readability. Good contrast and spacing support accessibility.
  5. Review accuracy Preview the sequence to catch typos and mis-timings. Correct errors before publishing.
  6. Export captions Save or export the caption track. Attach it to the project so it travels with the video.
  7. Validate accessibility Preview with captions on and off to confirm legibility. This confirms accessibility compliance.

Watch out in Free Plans

❌ Save frequently and maintain version history.
❌ Split lines for readability and timing.
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