The fastest way to add subtitles in Premiere Pro

Open your sequence in Premiere Pro, then go to File > New > Subtitle to create a new subtitle track. A subtitle panel will open on the right side of your screen. Click the plus icon to add your first subtitle, then type the text directly into the panel. Set the in and out points by dragging the edges of the subtitle block on your timeline, or by typing timecode numbers into the fields. When you finish, export your subtitles as an SRT file or burn them directly into your video during export.

The subtitle panel shows you exactly where each subtitle appears in your timeline and how long it stays on screen. You can see overlaps, gaps, and timing issues at a glance. Most people finish adding subtitles this way in under an hour for a ten-minute video, depending on how much text each subtitle contains.

Key Takeaways

  • Create a new subtitle track through File > New > Subtitle, then add individual subtitles by clicking the plus icon and typing text directly into the panel.
  • Set the timing for each subtitle by dragging its edges on the timeline or entering exact timecode numbers in the in and out point fields.
  • You can save subtitles as a separate SRT file to use in other projects or on other platforms, or burn them into your video during export.
  • The subtitle panel shows you timing conflicts and gaps so you can catch problems before you export.

Creating a new subtitle track and adding your first subtitle

Start by opening your sequence in Premiere Pro. Go to the menu bar and select File > New > Subtitle. A new subtitle track will appear at the bottom of your timeline, and a subtitle editing panel will open on the right side of your workspace. The panel has a list view where you can see all your subtitles stacked vertically.

Click the plus icon (usually at the bottom of the subtitle panel) to add your first subtitle. A new subtitle block will appear on your timeline. Type your text directly into the text field in the subtitle panel. Keep each subtitle to one or two lines — longer text becomes hard to read on screen. When you move to the next subtitle, Premiere Pro saves the text you just typed.

Setting the timing for each subtitle

Every subtitle needs an in point (when it appears) and an out point (when it disappears). The easiest way is to drag the edges of the subtitle block directly on your timeline. Click and hold the left edge to move the in point, or the right edge to move the out point. As you drag, you will see the timecode update in real time.

If you need exact timing, use the timecode fields in the subtitle panel instead. Click the in point field and type the exact time where you want the subtitle to start — for example, 00:00:05:00 means five seconds in. Do the same for the out point. This method is slower but gives you pixel-perfect control, which matters if you are syncing subtitles to specific words or sounds.

A good rule: each subtitle should stay on screen long enough for a person to read it comfortably. For a two-line subtitle, that is usually three to four seconds. Shorter text can disappear faster. If a subtitle overlaps with the next one on your timeline, Premiere Pro will highlight the conflict so you can fix it.

Formatting text and adjusting appearance

Premiere Pro lets you change the font, size, color, and position of your subtitles. In the subtitle panel, select a subtitle and look for the formatting options — usually a button labeled Appearance or Format. You can make text bold or italic, change the font family, and adjust the text size. Most subtitles work best in white text on a dark background or dark text on a light background, depending on your video.

You can also move subtitles around the screen. By default, they sit at the bottom center. If your video has graphics or text at the bottom, drag the subtitle block to a different position on the canvas, or use the position controls in the appearance panel. Keep subtitles away from the edges of the frame — viewers on small screens or older televisions may not see text that sits too close to the border.

Saving subtitles as a separate file

When you finish adding subtitles, you can export them as an SRT file (SubRip format), which is the standard subtitle file used across most video platforms and players. Right-click on your subtitle track and select Export Subtitles. Choose a location on your computer and save the file with a .srt extension. This file contains all your subtitle text and timecode information, but no video.

An SRT file is useful because you can upload it separately to YouTube, Vimeo, or other platforms, or use it in a different video editing project. If you ever need to edit the subtitles again, you can import the SRT file back into Premiere Pro or open it in a text editor and change the timecode or text by hand.

Burning subtitles into your video during export

If you want the subtitles to become part of the video file itself (so they appear no matter where the video is played), you can burn them in during export. Go to File > Export > Media to open the export dialog. In the video codec settings, look for an option called Burn-in Subtitles or Render Subtitles — the exact name depends on which codec you choose. Check that box, then export your video as normal.

Burned-in subtitles cannot be turned off by the viewer, so use this method only if you want subtitles to always be visible. If you want viewers to have the choice, export the video without burning subtitles and upload the SRT file separately to your platform.

Fixing common timing and text problems

The most common mistake is subtitles that appear too early or too late. If a subtitle pops up before the person on screen says the words, drag it to the right on the timeline. If it appears after they have already spoken, drag it to the left. Watch your video in real time to catch these issues — play the sequence and listen for the moment the words are spoken, then pause and adjust the subtitle timing.

Another issue is text that runs off the edge of the screen or overlaps with other subtitles. The subtitle panel shows you overlaps in red. If two subtitles overlap, shorten one of them or move the in point of the second subtitle to start after the first one ends. For text that runs off the edge, either shorten the text or move the subtitle to a different position on the screen.

If you realize you typed the wrong text, click the subtitle in the panel and edit the text field directly. Premiere Pro saves the change when ready. You do not need to re-export or re-render.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import subtitles from another file instead of typing them all by hand?

Yes. If you have an SRT file from another project or source, go to File > Import > Subtitles and select the SRT file. Premiere Pro will load all the subtitle text and timecode into your sequence. You may need to adjust the timing slightly if the video length or frame rate is different from the original project.

What is the difference between burning subtitles in and exporting them as a separate file?

Burned-in subtitles become part of the video file and cannot be turned off. A separate SRT file stays independent, so viewers can choose to show or hide subtitles. Use burned-in subtitles when you want them always visible; use a separate file when you want to give viewers the choice.

How do I make sure my subtitles are readable on all screen sizes?

Keep text size large enough to read on a phone — usually 24 to 32 point font. Position subtitles in the center-bottom area of the frame, away from the edges. Avoid light text on light backgrounds or dark text on dark backgrounds. Test your video on a small screen before you export.

Can I change the font and color of subtitles after I export the video?

If you exported subtitles as a separate SRT file, you can change the font and color when you upload the file to a platform like YouTube or Vimeo — those platforms let you style subtitles in their own player. If you burned subtitles into the video, you cannot change them without re-exporting the video from Premiere Pro.

What frame rate should I use for subtitles?

Use the same frame rate as your video sequence. If your video is 24 fps, your subtitles should be 24 fps. Premiere Pro handles this automatically when you create a subtitle track in an existing sequence, so you usually do not need to think about it.