Adding text in Adobe Premiere is a three-step process: create a new text layer, type your words, and position it on your timeline

Text appears in Premiere through the Essential Graphics panel, which is built into the software and requires no plugins or downloads. You create a text layer directly on your sequence, type into it, and then move or resize it to fit your shot. The text stays attached to that point on your timeline, so it appears and disappears with your video.

The fastest route is to use a preset text style — Premiere includes dozens of ready-made designs — and then edit the words and timing to match your footage. If you want something custom, you can build it from scratch in the same panel, controlling the font, size, color, and animation all in one place.

Key Takeaways

  • Text in Premiere lives in the Essential Graphics panel, which you open from the Window menu if it is not already visible on your screen.
  • You create a text layer by clicking the text tool in the Essential Graphics panel, then clicking on your video in the timeline to place it.
  • Text automatically sits on a separate track above your video, so you can move it forward or backward in time without touching your footage.
  • Preset text styles let you start with a finished look and change only the words, which is faster than building text formatting from scratch.
  • Text duration is set by dragging the edges of the text layer on your timeline, just like you would trim a video clip.

Opening the Essential Graphics panel and finding the text tool

The Essential Graphics panel is where all text creation happens in Premiere. If you do not see it on your screen already, go to the Window menu at the top, scroll down, and click Essential Graphics. The panel will appear, usually on the right side of your workspace.

Once the panel is open, look at the top of it. You will see two tabs: Browse and Edit. Click the Browse tab first. This shows you all the preset text styles Premiere includes — straightforward bars, lower thirds, full-screen titles, and animated options. Scroll through to see what is available. If you want to start with a preset, click on one and it will be added to your timeline. If you want to build text from scratch, skip the presets and move to the next step.

To create a blank text layer without a preset, look for the New Text Layer button in the Essential Graphics panel. It is usually a small icon that looks like a "T" or text symbol. Click it, then click anywhere on your video in the timeline window. A text box will appear where you clicked, and your cursor will be ready for you to type.

Typing and editing your text

Once you have created a text layer, you can start typing when ready. Type your words, then click outside the text box when you are done. Your text now appears on your video at that point in the timeline.

To edit the text later, double-click the text layer in the timeline, or click on the text in the video preview. The text box will open again and you can change the words. You can also select the text layer in your timeline and look at the Edit tab in the Essential Graphics panel — this is where you control the font, size, color, and other formatting. Change any of these settings and they explore to the selected text layer when ready.

Positioning text on your video

Text appears wherever you clicked when you created it, but you can move it anywhere on your screen. Click the text layer in your timeline to select it, then click and drag the text in the video preview to reposition it. You can also resize the text box by dragging the corners or edges of the box itself.

If you want the text to stay in the same spot across multiple shots, make sure the text layer extends across all the clips where you want it to appear. You control this by dragging the right edge of the text layer on your timeline — drag it forward to make the text last longer, or drag it backward to make it end sooner. The text will appear for as long as the layer extends on the timeline.

Using preset text styles to save time

Preset styles are the fastest way to add professional-looking text. In the Browse tab of the Essential Graphics panel, click on any style you like. It will be added to your timeline at the current playhead position. The text will say something like "Sample Text" — double-click it in the timeline to change it to your own words.

Once you have applied a preset, you can still customize it. Click the Edit tab in the Essential Graphics panel and you will see all the formatting options for that style. You can change the font, size, color, or animation without losing the overall design. This is much faster than building the formatting yourself from a blank text layer.

Adjusting text timing on your timeline

Text duration is controlled the same way as video clips. Find the text layer in your timeline — it will be above your video track. The text layer shows as a colored bar with your text name on it. To make the text appear later, drag the entire layer to the right. To make it disappear sooner, drag the right edge of the layer to the left.

If you want text to appear at the exact moment a speaker says a word, position your playhead at that moment in the timeline, then create your text layer. Premiere will place it at that exact frame. You can then drag the right edge to control when it disappears.

Animating text with entrance and exit effects

Many preset styles include animation — the text fades in, slides in, or appears with another effect. If you want to add animation to a text layer you created from scratch, select the text layer and look at the Edit tab in the Essential Graphics panel. Scroll down to find the animation options, usually labeled as Animate In or Animate Out. Click the dropdown menu and choose an effect.

Once you select an animation, you can control how long it lasts by adjusting the duration slider. A faster animation makes the text appear suddenly; a slower one makes it drift or fade in gradually. You can add both an entrance animation and an exit animation to the same text layer — the text will animate in when it first appears, then animate out when it disappears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fonts that are not already installed on my computer?

Premiere can use any font installed on your system. If you want a specific font that is not installed, read and install it through your operating system first, then restart Premiere. The font will then appear in the font list in the Essential Graphics panel.

How do I make text appear at the same time as a sound effect or music beat?

Position your playhead at the exact frame where you want the text to appear — you can see the audio waveform in your timeline to line it up with a beat or sound spike. Then create your text layer. Premiere will place it at that frame. Drag the right edge of the text layer to control when it ends.

What if my text is hard to read over the video?

You can add a background shape behind the text to make it stand out. In the Essential Graphics panel, look for options like Background or Shadow. You can add a solid color box, a semi-transparent overlay, or a drop shadow to make the text more visible against any background.

Can I copy text formatting from one text layer to another?

Select the text layer with the formatting you want to copy, then in the Essential Graphics panel, look for a Copy or Paste Attributes option. Select the text layer you want to paste the formatting into and paste. All the font, size, color, and animation settings will transfer to the new layer.

How do I make text move across the screen?

This requires keyframing, which is a more advanced technique. Select your text layer, then in the Essential Graphics panel, look for the Position setting. Click the stopwatch icon next to it to start recording keyframes. Move your playhead forward in the timeline, then drag the text to a new position. Premiere will create a smooth motion between the two positions.