Adding text to your video in iMovie
Text in iMovie appears as titles, credits, or captions overlaid on your video. You add it by selecting a text style, placing it on your timeline, and typing your words. iMovie comes with preset designs — you do not build text from scratch. The text sits in its own layer above your video, so you can move it, resize it, or delete it without touching the footage underneath.
The process is the same whether you are using iMovie on Mac or iPad, though the button locations differ slightly. You will spend most of your time choosing which text style matches your video's tone, not figuring out how to make the text appear.
Key Takeaways
- Text in iMovie comes from the Titles browser, which holds preset designs you customize with your own words rather than building from scratch.
- You drag a text style onto your timeline at the exact moment you want the text to appear, and it automatically creates a text clip with a default duration.
- Double-clicking the text clip opens the editor where you type your words and adjust the font, size, and color without leaving iMovie.
- Text duration is separate from video duration — you can make text appear for two seconds while the video clip runs for ten seconds.
- Positioning text on screen happens in the viewer window, where you click and drag the text box to move it or resize the corners to make it larger or smaller.
Finding and selecting a text style
Open your project in iMovie and look for the Titles button. On Mac, it is in the toolbar at the top of the window and looks like a capital letter "T". On iPad, tap the plus sign (+) in the toolbar, then select Titles from the menu that appears.
Clicking Titles opens a browser showing iMovie's text presets. Each preset is a design template — some are straightforward white text on a transparent background, others include animations, colors, or shapes. Scroll through the options and click one that fits your video's style. If you are making a casual vlog, a plain animated title works. If you are making something formal, look for minimal designs without heavy effects.
Do not worry about the exact words yet. The preset shows placeholder text like "Title" or "Subtitle" — you will replace that with your own words in the next step.
Placing text on your timeline
After you choose a text style, drag it onto your timeline at the point where you want the text to appear. On Mac, click and hold the text preset, then drag it down to the timeline. On iPad, tap and hold, then drag it to the timeline. The text will snap into place as a separate clip.
iMovie automatically gives the text a default duration — usually three to five seconds depending on the style. You will see the text clip appear as a colored bar on your timeline, separate from your video clips. If you want the text to last longer or shorter, you can adjust this later by dragging the edges of the text clip left or right, just like you would resize a video clip.
The text now appears in your viewer window at the moment you placed it. You will see it overlaid on top of your video. If the position or size does not look right, you can move and resize it — but first, you need to add your actual words.
Typing and editing your text
Double-click the text clip on your timeline. A text editor window opens where you can type your words. Delete the placeholder text and type what you want to appear on screen. You can type a single word, a full sentence, or multiple lines — iMovie will wrap the text to fit the text box.
While the editor is open, you can also change the font, text size, and color. Look for buttons or sliders labeled Font, Size, or Color depending on your iMovie version. These controls let you make the text larger, switch to a different typeface, or change it from white to another color. Try different combinations and watch the preview in the viewer window update in real time.
When you are happy with the words and formatting, click outside the text editor or press Done. The editor closes and your text is now locked in. If you need to change the words later, double-click the text clip again to reopen the editor.
Moving and resizing text on screen
Your text appears in the viewer window as a box with handles around it. Click the text box and drag it to move it anywhere on screen — to the top, bottom, left side, or center. This is how you position titles, credits, or captions exactly where you want them.
To resize the text box, click and drag one of the corner handles outward to make it larger, or inward to make it smaller. The text inside will reflow to fit the new box size. If you make the box too small, the text may become hard to read, so test different sizes and watch how it looks in the preview.
If you want the text to return to its original position and size, most text presets have a reset button in the formatting options. Look for a button that says Reset or Default Position.
Adjusting text duration and timing
The text clip on your timeline has a start point and an end point, just like a video clip. By default, text appears for a few seconds and then disappears. If you want it to stay longer, position your cursor at the right edge of the text clip on the timeline and drag it to the right. The text will now appear for a longer duration.
To make text appear for a shorter time, drag the right edge of the text clip to the left. You can make text appear for as little as one second or as long as your entire video. The text duration is independent of your video duration — your video might run for two minutes while a title appears for only five seconds at the start.
If you want text to appear at a different moment in your video, click and drag the entire text clip left or right on the timeline. This shifts when the text starts and stops without changing how long it lasts.
Using animations and effects with text
Many iMovie text presets come with built-in animations — the text might fade in, slide across the screen, or bounce. These animations happen automatically when you play your video. You do not need to add them separately.
If you want to change or remove an animation, look for an Effects or Animation button in the text editor. Some presets let you choose from a list of animation styles, while others have a fixed animation you cannot change. If the animation does not match your video's pace, you can always delete this text clip and choose a different preset that has a simpler or faster animation.
Test your video by playing it back. Watch how the text appears, moves, and disappears. If the timing feels off or the text is hard to read against your video background, adjust the duration, position, or color until it looks right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add text to the middle of a video clip without splitting it?
Yes. Drag a text preset onto your timeline at the exact frame where you want the text to start. The text clip sits on top of your video clip — it does not split the video. Your video plays continuously underneath while the text appears and disappears on schedule.
What if my text is hard to read against the video background?
Change the text color or add a background shape behind it. Open the text editor, look for color options, and try a contrasting color — white text on a dark video, or dark text on a light video. Some presets include a semi-transparent background box that makes text readable over any background.
Can I use the same text style multiple times in one video?
Yes. Drag the same text preset onto your timeline as many times as you need. Each instance is a separate clip with its own words, timing, and position. You can type different text in each one.
How do I delete text I no longer want?
Click the text clip on your timeline to select it, then press Delete or Backspace. The text disappears from your video and the timeline. Your video clips remain untouched.
Can I make text appear for the entire length of my video?
Yes. Drag the right edge of the text clip on the timeline all the way to the end of your video. The text will now appear from its start point through the final frame. You can also drag the left edge to make it start at the very beginning.