The basic method works the same way across most editors

To add text to a video, you insert a text layer, type your words, position them on the screen, and set how long they stay visible. Most editors follow this same pattern: open your project, find the text or title tool in the toolbar or menu, click on the video where you want text to appear, type, then adjust the timing and appearance. The text sits on top of your video like a separate layer — you can move it, resize it, change its color, and make it fade in or out without touching the video underneath.

Where you find the text tool depends on your software. In Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro, it's usually labeled "Title" or "Text" in the toolbar on the left. In DaVinci Resolve, it's under the "Fusion" tab or the "Edit" page with a text icon. In CapCut (phone and desktop), you tap the "Text" button at the bottom. In iMovie, you click the "T" icon. The exact names vary, but the icon is almost always a letter or the word "Text".

Key Takeaways

  • Insert a text layer by clicking the text tool, then click on your video where you want the words to appear.
  • Set the duration by dragging the text layer's edges on the timeline so it appears and disappears when you want.
  • Change the font, size, color, and alignment in the text properties panel, which appears when you select the text layer.
  • Position text by dragging it directly on the video preview, or use alignment tools to center it or snap it to edges.
  • Add effects like drop shadows, outlines, or fade-in animations to make text stand out or match your video's style.

Where to click to create a text layer

Every editor has a text tool somewhere in its interface. In desktop software like Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve, look for a toolbar on the left side of the screen — the text tool is usually represented by a capital "A" or the word "Text". Click it once to set up it. Your cursor will change to show that text mode is on.

Once the text tool is active, click directly on your video in the preview window where you want the text to appear. A text box will open, and you can start typing when ready. Some editors open a separate text editor window; others let you type right into the video preview. Either way, your words will appear on the screen as you type. If nothing happens when you click, make sure your video clip is selected on the timeline first — text needs to be attached to a clip or placed on its own layer.

On mobile apps like CapCut, the process is simpler: tap the "Text" button at the bottom of the screen, choose a text style if offered, tap where you want text to go, and type. The text automatically appears on your timeline as a separate element you can move and adjust.

How to control when text appears and disappears

Text duration is set on the timeline, not in the text properties. When you create a text layer, it appears as a colored bar or block on the timeline, usually above or below your video clip. The length of that bar controls how long the text stays on screen. If the bar is short, the text vanishes quickly. If it's long, the text stays visible for more of your video.

To change when text appears and disappears, grab the edges of the text layer on the timeline and drag them left or right. Drag the left edge to the right to delay when the text starts. Drag the right edge to the left to make it end sooner. You can also drag the entire text layer left or right to move it to a different part of your video without changing its duration. Watch the video preview as you drag — most editors show you exactly when the text appears and disappears as you adjust.

If you want text to fade in or fade out rather than pop on and off when ready, look for animation or effect options in the text properties panel. Most editors let you add a fade-in at the start and a fade-out at the end with just a few clicks. The exact location varies — in Premiere Pro it's under "Opacity" keyframes, in DaVinci Resolve it's in the "Inspector" panel under "Fusion", and in CapCut it's under "Effects" or "Animations".

Changing font, size, color, and position

When you select a text layer (by clicking on it in the timeline or on the video preview), a properties panel appears showing all the text settings you can change. This panel is called the "Inspector" in some editors, "Properties" in others, and "Text" in others — but it always shows the same basic options: font name, font size, color, alignment, and sometimes shadow or outline effects.

To change the font, click the font dropdown menu and choose from the list. To change the size, either type a number into the size field or use a slider. To change the color, click the color swatch and pick from a color picker. Most editors also let you change the text alignment (left, center, right) and add effects like bold or italic. These controls are usually arranged in a toolbar or panel next to the preview window.

To move text around on the screen, click and drag it directly in the video preview. You can position it anywhere — top, bottom, center, off to one side. Some editors also offer alignment tools that snap text to the center of the frame or to safe areas (the edges of the screen that are may provide to be visible on all devices). If you want precise positioning, look for X and Y coordinate fields in the properties panel where you can type exact pixel positions.

Adding effects and styling to make text stand out

Most editors include built-in text effects that make words more readable or visually interesting. The most common are drop shadows (a dark shadow behind the text that makes it pop off the background), outlines (a colored border around each letter), and glows (a soft light around the text). These are usually found in the text properties panel under "Effects", "Styling", or "Shadow and Outline".

To add a drop shadow, find the shadow option and turn it on — you can usually adjust how dark it is, how far it extends, and what angle it comes from. An outline works the same way: turn it on, pick a color, and adjust the thickness. A glow is less common but works similarly. These effects are especially useful when your text is placed over a busy or light-colored part of your video where plain text would be hard to read.

You can also explore animations to text — fade-in, slide-in, bounce, or other entrance and exit effects. In Premiere Pro, these are under "Animation". In DaVinci Resolve, they're in the "Inspector" under "Fusion" or "Effects". In CapCut, they're under "Effects" or "Animations". Animations make text feel more polished and can draw the viewer's eye to important words. Start with straightforward fade-in and fade-out animations if you're new to this — they're subtle and work in almost any video.

Common problems and how to fix them

If your text is hard to read, the background is usually the problem. Light text on a light background or dark text on a dark background will always be hard to see. Add a drop shadow or outline to create contrast, or move the text to a part of the video with a different color. If you can't move it, a semi-transparent background box behind the text (sometimes called a "text box fill" or "background") will make it readable anywhere.

If text appears for the wrong amount of time, check the timeline. The text layer's length controls duration, not any setting in the properties panel. Drag the edges of the text layer on the timeline to make it longer or shorter. If the text is cut off or doesn't fit on screen, make the font smaller or make the text box wider by dragging its corners in the preview window.

If text looks blurry or pixelated, your font size is probably too large or your video resolution is too low. Try a smaller font, or check that your project is set to the correct resolution (usually 1920×1080 for HD or 3840×2160 for 4K). If you're exporting and the text looks bad in the final video but fine in the editor, the export settings may be compressing too much — try exporting at a higher bitrate or quality level.

When to use text overlays versus title cards

A text overlay is text that appears on top of your video while it's playing — captions, labels, or on-screen graphics. A title card is a full-screen graphic with text, usually with a background color or image, that replaces the video temporarily. Both use the same text tool, but they serve different purposes.

Use overlays for captions, labels, or graphics that add information without stopping the video. Use title cards for chapter breaks, credits, or dramatic pauses. Title cards are easier to read because they have a solid background, but they interrupt the flow of your video. Overlays keep the video playing but require good contrast so the text is readable. Most videos use both — overlays for quick labels and title cards for important transitions.

To create a title card, add a text layer and extend its duration so it covers a few seconds of video. Then add a background by creating a color layer underneath it (or using the text box fill option). The video will pause on that card while the text is visible, creating a clear break in the footage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any font, or are some fonts better for video?

You can use any font installed on your computer, but some work better on screen than others. Sans-serif fonts like Arial, Helvetica, and Verdana are easier to read on video than serif fonts. Avoid very thin or decorative fonts unless you're making a stylized video — they often look blurry or hard to read when played back. Most editors come with a set of safe fonts that work well in video.

How do I make text appear in different places at different times?

Create separate text layers for each piece of text. Each layer has its own timeline position and duration, so you can make one text appear at the start, disappear, then make different text appear later. This is how subtitles and captions work — each line of dialogue gets its own text layer with its own timing.

What if I want text to move across the screen?

Use keyframes to animate the text's position. Select the text layer, find the position or transform controls in the properties panel, and set a starting position at one point in time and an ending position at another. The editor will move the text smoothly between those two positions. This is called motion graphics or text animation.

Can I add text to a video on my phone?

Yes. Apps like CapCut, iMovie, Adobe Premiere Rush, and InShot all have text tools that work the same way as desktop software. Tap the text button, type, adjust the timing and appearance, and export. Phone apps are simpler and have fewer options, but they're fast for quick videos.

Why does my text look different when I export the video?

The most common reason is that the font isn't installed on the computer where you're playing the video. If you use a custom or uncommon font, export the video with the text already rendered into the image — don't export as a separate subtitle file. Also check your export settings: low bitrate or quality settings can make text look blurry or pixelated in the final file.