The simplest way to add text to your video
Adding words to a video means placing text on the screen while the video plays. You do this inside a video editor by creating a text layer, typing your words, and positioning them where you want them to appear. The text stays on screen for as long as you set it to, then disappears or fades out.
The fastest route depends on what you already have. If you use your phone, built-in apps like iMovie (Apple) or Google Photos let you add text in under a minute. If you use a computer, free editors like DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, or Shotcut all work the same way: import your video, click a text tool, type, and drag the text box to where you want it.
The process is nearly identical across all of them. You will open your video, find the text or caption button, type what you want to say, choose how long it stays visible, and adjust the size and position. Most editors let you change the font, color, and background so the text stands out against your video.
Key Takeaways
- Text is added as a separate layer on top of your video, so you can move it, resize it, and remove it without changing the video itself.
- You set how long the text appears by dragging its edges on the timeline — the longer you stretch it, the longer viewers see it.
- Most editors let you change font, size, color, and add a background box so text is readable over any video background.
- Phone apps like iMovie and Google Photos are fastest for straightforward text; computer editors like DaVinci Resolve give you more control over appearance.
Adding text in a phone app
On iPhone, open iMovie, tap the plus sign, and choose the video you want to edit. Once it loads in the timeline at the bottom, tap the video clip itself, then scroll the menu that appears and tap "Text". A text box will appear on your video — tap it and type what you want to say.
The text will appear at the start of your video by default. To change when it appears and disappears, tap the text box on the timeline (the colored bar at the bottom), then drag its left and right edges to the exact frames where you want it to start and stop. Drag the text box itself on the video preview to move it to a different position on screen.
On Android, Google Photos works similarly. Open the video, tap Edit, then tap Tools and select Text. Type your words, tap outside the text box to confirm, then drag it to position it. To change how long it appears, tap the text layer in the timeline and adjust the duration slider.
Adding text in a desktop editor
In DaVinci Resolve (free version), import your video by going to File > Import Media, or drag the video file into the media panel on the left. Drag the video into the timeline at the bottom. Click the Fusion tab at the top, then look for the text tool in the toolbar — it usually looks like a capital A. Click it, then click on the video preview where you want the text to appear.
A text box will open. Type your words, then close the text editor. The text will now appear on your video. To move it, click and drag it on the preview. To resize it, grab the corners of the text box and drag outward. To change how long it appears, select the text layer in the timeline and drag its edges left or right.
In CapCut (free on Windows and Mac), import your video, then click the Text button in the toolbar on the left. Choose a text style if you want one, or click "Default Text" to start plain. Type your words in the box that appears. The text will be added to your timeline automatically. Click and drag it on the preview to move it, or double-click it to edit the words, font, color, or size.
Positioning text so it does not cover important parts
Before you place text, watch your video and note where action happens. If someone's face is in the center, put text at the bottom. If there is text or graphics already in the video, place your text on the opposite side. Most editors let you drag text anywhere, so move it until it sits in a spot where viewers can read it and still see what matters in the video.
If your text is hard to read because the background is busy or dark, add a background box behind it. In DaVinci Resolve, select the text, go to the Inspector panel on the right, and look for a background or shadow option. In CapCut, double-click the text and look for a background or outline setting. A semi-transparent box behind the text makes it readable over any background.
Changing how long text stays on screen
Text duration is controlled on the timeline. When you add text, it appears as a colored bar or block in the timeline. The length of that bar is how long the text appears in your video. If the bar is short, the text flashes by quickly. If it is long, the text stays on screen for several seconds.
To change it, click the text layer in the timeline and drag its right edge left to make it shorter, or right to make it longer. Watch the video preview as you drag — you will see the text appear and disappear at different points. Stop when the text duration matches what you want. Most editors also let you add a fade-in or fade-out effect so the text does not pop on and off abruptly.
Making text stand out with color and fonts
By default, text is usually white or black. To change it, select the text on the video preview or in the timeline, then look for a color or formatting panel. In most editors, you will see a color picker — click it and choose a new color. Pick a color that contrasts with your video background so it is straightforward to read. White text works on dark backgrounds; dark text works on light backgrounds.
To change the font, select the text and look for a font dropdown menu. Most editors include standard fonts like Arial, Helvetica, and Georgia. Avoid fancy fonts that are hard to read — stick to clean, straightforward fonts for any text viewers need to understand. If you want the text to look a certain way, many editors also let you add a shadow, outline, or glow effect to make it pop off the screen.
Adding multiple text blocks to the same video
You can add as many text blocks as you want. Each one is a separate layer, so you can move, resize, and time them independently. In iMovie, tap Text again to add another text box. In DaVinci Resolve or CapCut, click the Text button again and repeat the process. Each new text block will appear as a new layer in your timeline.
Stagger them so they do not all appear at once — it is easier to read one sentence at a time than three sentences on screen together. Adjust the duration of each text block so it appears when it is relevant to what is happening in the video. If you are adding captions to dialogue, time each caption to match when the person is speaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add text that moves across the screen?
Yes, but it requires animation, which is more advanced. Most phone apps do not support moving text easily. On desktop editors like DaVinci Resolve and CapCut, you can add a motion effect to text so it slides in from the side, bounces, or follows a path. Look for an Animation or Effects panel after you add the text.
What if my text is hard to read over the video background?
Add a background box or shadow behind the text. Select the text and look for a background, outline, or shadow option in the formatting menu. A semi-transparent colored box behind white text makes it readable over any background. You can also change the text color to something that contrasts better with what is behind it.
How do I make sure text appears at the exact moment I want it to?
Use the timeline. Scrub through your video to find the exact frame where you want the text to start, then drag the left edge of the text layer to that frame. Drag the right edge to where you want it to stop. Play the video to check the timing, then adjust if needed.
Can I copy and paste text from another document into my video editor?
Yes. Copy the text from your document, click the text box in your editor, and paste it. The text will appear in the editor, though formatting like bold or italics may not carry over. You can then edit it directly in the editor if you need to change anything.
What happens if I delete a text layer by mistake?
Use Undo (Ctrl+Z on Windows, Command+Z on Mac) to bring it back. If you have already closed the editor, the text is gone — there is no way to recover it. Always save your project before closing so you can reopen it and undo recent changes if needed.