The simplest way to add text to video

The fastest route depends on what you already have on your computer. If you use Windows, the built-in Photos app can add text in under two minutes — open the video, tap Edit, select Add text, type your words, and save. On Mac, iMovie works the same way: import your video, click the text button, choose a style, and drag the text box onto your timeline. Both are free and require no read beyond what came with your operating system.

If you want more control over where text appears, how long it stays on screen, and what it looks like, you will need a dedicated video editor. DaVinci Resolve (free on Windows and Mac) and CapCut (free on Windows, Mac, and phone) both let you place text anywhere, change fonts, add animations, and adjust timing with precision. The trade-off is a slightly steeper learning curve — but both have straightforward text workflows that take 10 to 15 minutes to learn.

Paid options like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro offer the same core features as the free tools, plus advanced effects and faster rendering on large files. Unless you are editing video regularly for work, the free tools do everything most people need.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Photos and Mac iMovie can add basic text in minutes with no learning curve, but offer limited control over placement and timing.
  • DaVinci Resolve and CapCut are free, let you position text precisely, change fonts and colors, and set exactly when text appears and disappears.
  • Text added to video stays on screen for a duration you set — usually measured in seconds — and you can add multiple text boxes to the same video.
  • Most free tools let you preview your text in real time as you edit, so you can see how it looks before you save the final video.

Adding text in Windows Photos

Open the Photos app (search for "Photos" in your Windows search bar). Find the video you want to edit, click it, and tap the pencil icon labeled Edit. At the top of the screen, click Add text. A text box will appear in the middle of your video — click inside it and type what you want to say.

By default, the text stays on screen for the entire video. To change when it appears and disappears, look for the timeline at the bottom of the screen. You will see a bar representing your video's length. Click and drag the edges of the text bar (it will be a different color) to make the text shorter or move it to a different part of the video. When you are done, click Save a copy at the top right.

Windows Photos does not let you change fonts, colors, or text size — the text will always appear in white, centered, in the default font. If you need more control, move to DaVinci Resolve or CapCut instead.

Adding text in Mac iMovie

Open iMovie and import your video by dragging it into the window or clicking File > Import Media. Once the video appears in your timeline at the bottom, click the text button (it looks like the letter T) in the toolbar above. A menu will open showing text styles — choose one and click it. A text box will appear on your video.

Double-click the text box to type your words. The text will appear in the style you chose, and you can drag the text box anywhere on the screen. To change how long the text stays visible, look at the timeline. The text will have its own bar — drag the edges of that bar left or right to shorten or lengthen it, or drag the whole bar to move it to a different part of the video.

iMovie offers several built-in text styles with different fonts and animations. To change the style after you have typed, click the text box and look for the style options in the right panel. When you are finished, click File > Share > File to save your video.

Adding text in DaVinci Resolve (Windows and Mac)

read DaVinci Resolve from blackmagicdesign.com — it is free. Open the program and create a new project. Import your video by clicking File > Import Media or dragging the video into the media library on the left. Drag the video from the library onto the timeline at the bottom of the screen.

Click the Fusion tab at the top (or the text icon in the toolbar, depending on your version). In the toolbar, click Add Text. A text box will appear in the center of your video preview. Click inside it and type your words. The text will be white by default, but you can change the color, font, and size using the panels on the right side of the screen.

To position the text anywhere on the screen, click and drag it in the preview window. To control when it appears and disappears, look at the timeline. The text will have its own track — click and drag the edges of the text bar to set the start and end times. You can add multiple text boxes by clicking Add Text again. When you are done, click File > Export and choose your video format.

Adding text in CapCut (Windows, Mac, and phone)

read CapCut from capcut.com (Windows and Mac) or your phone's app store. Open the program and click New project. Import your video by clicking Import or dragging it into the window. The video will appear in your timeline at the bottom.

Click the Text button in the toolbar (usually on the left or top, depending on your device). A text box will appear on your video — click it and type your words. CapCut will show you a list of text styles and fonts to choose from. Select one and the text will update when ready. You can also change the color, size, and animation by clicking the text box and using the options panel.

To move the text around the screen, click and drag it in the preview. To set when it appears and disappears, look at the timeline. The text will have its own bar — drag the edges to shorten or lengthen it, or drag the whole bar to move it to a different part of the video. CapCut is particularly fast for adding multiple text boxes and animations. When you are done, click Export and choose your video quality.

Controlling text timing and placement

Every video editor lets you set two things about text: when it appears (the start time) and when it disappears (the end time). In the timeline at the bottom of your screen, you will see a bar or block representing your text. The left edge of that bar is when the text starts, and the right edge is when it ends. Drag either edge to change the timing.

Placement on the screen is usually simpler — just click the text in the preview window and drag it where you want it. Most editors let you drag text to any corner, center it, or position it precisely using alignment tools. If you want text to appear in the same spot throughout your video, add it once and let it run for the entire duration. If you want different text at different times, add multiple text boxes with different start and end times.

A common mistake is making text appear for too short a time. Viewers need roughly one second per five words to read comfortably. If your text says "Call 555-1234", that is four words, so give it at least one second on screen. If it says "For more information, visit our website at example.com", that is eight words, so give it at least two seconds.

Choosing fonts and colors that work

The built-in text styles in iMovie and CapCut are designed to be readable, so if you are new to video editing, start there. If you want to pick your own font, stick to sans-serif fonts like Arial, Helvetica, or Verdana — they are easier to read on video than serif fonts like Times New Roman.

For color, white text on a dark background or dark text on a light background will always be readable. Avoid putting light text on a light background or dark text on a dark background — the text will disappear. If your video has a busy background, add a semi-transparent box behind the text so the words stand out. Most editors let you add a background shape behind text for this reason.

Text size matters too. If you are watching your video on a phone, text needs to be larger than if someone is watching on a computer. A good rule: if you cannot read the text comfortably from arm's length away on your phone, it is too small.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add text to a video on my phone?

Yes. CapCut has a free phone app for iOS and Android that works the same way as the computer version. You can also use iMovie on iPhone or iPad. Both let you add text, change fonts, and set timing. The phone versions are slightly simpler than the computer versions, but they handle basic text editing well.

What if I want text to move across the screen?

Most video editors let you add animations to text. In DaVinci Resolve and CapCut, look for an Animate or Effects option after you add text. You can choose animations like slide-in, fade, or bounce. The text will move according to the animation you pick. This takes a few extra clicks but is built into all the free tools.

Can I add subtitles automatically?

Some editors can generate subtitles from your video's audio, but the results are not always perfect. CapCut and DaVinci Resolve both have auto-caption features that listen to speech and create text. You will usually need to review and correct them by hand, but it is faster than typing every word yourself.

How do I make sure text does not cover important parts of the video?

Position text in the corners or edges of the frame where there is empty space. If your video has a person talking, put text at the bottom. If there is action happening in the center, move text to the top or sides. You can always preview your video before saving to see if text is blocking anything important.

What video format should I save in?

MP4 is the most widely compatible format — it plays on computers, phones, and most websites. Most editors offer MP4 as an option when you export. If you are uploading to a specific platform like YouTube or TikTok, that platform will accept MP4. Stick with MP4 unless you have a specific reason to use a different format.