The two ways to add subtitles: burn them in or embed them

You can add subtitles to a video in two different ways, and which one you choose depends on where you plan to share it. Burning in subtitles means permanently adding them to the video file itself — they become part of the image and cannot be turned off. Embedding subtitles means adding a separate subtitle file that plays alongside the video, so viewers can toggle them on and off. Most video players and platforms support embedded subtitles, but some older devices or streaming sites only accept burned-in ones.

Burned-in subtitles work everywhere because they are just pixels on the screen. Embedded subtitles give viewers control and take up less file space, but they require the subtitle file to travel with the video. If you are uploading to YouTube, Vimeo, or a similar platform, embedding is almost always the better choice because those sites handle the subtitle file for you. If you are sending a video file to someone who might watch it on an older device, or if you need subtitles to be visible no matter what, burning them in is the safer bet.

Key Takeaways

  • Burned-in subtitles are permanent and visible on any device, but viewers cannot turn them off.
  • Embedded subtitles let viewers toggle them on and off, and they work on YouTube, Vimeo, and most modern platforms.
  • You need a subtitle file in a standard format like SRT or VTT before you can add subtitles to most video editing software.
  • If you do not have a subtitle file yet, you can create one by typing captions into your editing software, exporting it, or using a transcription service.
  • The steps for adding subtitles differ between software, but the basic process is: import the subtitle file, position it on screen, and export the video.

Creating or obtaining a subtitle file before you start

Most video editing software does not create subtitle files from scratch — it imports them. You need a subtitle file in a standard format, usually SRT (SubRip) or VTT (WebVTT), before you open your editing software. An SRT file is a plain text document that contains the subtitle text, the timecode for when each subtitle appears, and the timecode for when it disappears.

If you already have a transcript of your video, you can convert it to an SRT file using a free online converter like Subtitle Edit or Kapwing. If you do not have a transcript, you have three options: type the captions yourself while watching the video, use a transcription service like Rev or Descript (both charge per minute), or use your editing software's built-in speech-to-text feature if it has one. DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere Pro both include automatic transcription, though the accuracy depends on audio quality and background noise.

Once you have an SRT or VTT file saved on your computer, you are ready to import it into your editing software. Keep the file in the same folder as your video project so it is straightforward to find.

Adding embedded subtitles in DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is free and handles embedded subtitles well. Open your project and go to the Fusion page (the tab at the bottom). In the left panel, click the plus icon next to "Subtitle Track" to add a subtitle track to your timeline. Right-click on the subtitle track and select "Import Subtitle File". Navigate to your SRT or VTT file and open it. The subtitles will appear on your timeline at the correct times.

You can now adjust how the subtitles look: click on a subtitle in the timeline to select it, then use the Inspector panel on the right to change the font, size, color, and position. When you export your video, make sure the subtitle track is included. Go to File > Export and choose your format. In the export settings, look for a subtitle option and select "Embed subtitles" or "Include subtitle track". The subtitles will now travel with the video file.

Adding embedded subtitles in Adobe Premiere Pro

In Premiere Pro, go to File > Import and select your SRT file. Drag it onto your timeline below your video track — it will create a new subtitle track automatically. The subtitles will appear at the correct times based on the timecodes in your SRT file. Click on any subtitle to select it and edit the text directly in the timeline, or use the Captions panel (Window > Captions) to see all subtitles in a list.

To change how subtitles look, select the subtitle track and go to the Essential Graphics panel. You can adjust font, size, color, background, and position. When you are ready to export, go to File > Export > Media. In the export settings, find the Captions section and choose "Embed" or "Sidecar file". If you choose Embed, the subtitles become part of the video file. If you choose Sidecar file, Premiere Pro creates a separate subtitle file that you will need to upload alongside your video.

Adding burned-in subtitles in any editing software

To burn subtitles into your video, you add them as text overlays rather than as a subtitle track. This works in almost any editing software: DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, CapCut, or even simpler tools like iMovie. The process is similar across all of them: import your video, add a text element for each subtitle, position it on screen, set the timing so it appears and disappears at the right moments, and then export the final video.

The main drawback is that you have to do this manually for every subtitle in your video. If you have 50 subtitles, you will create 50 text elements and set 50 timings. Some software can speed this up: if you import an SRT file as a subtitle track, you can sometimes convert it to text overlays with a single command. In DaVinci Resolve, right-click the subtitle track and look for "Convert to Text+" or similar. In Premiere Pro, you can use the Essential Graphics panel to create text from your subtitles, though it still requires some manual adjustment.

Once all your text overlays are in place and timed correctly, export your video as normal. The subtitles are now permanently part of the video file and will appear on any device.

Uploading subtitles directly to YouTube or Vimeo

If you are uploading to YouTube, you do not need to add subtitles to your video file at all. YouTube lets you upload an SRT file separately after your video is live. Go to your video, click Details, scroll to the Subtitles section, and select "Add Language". Choose your language and upload your SRT file. YouTube will sync the subtitles to your video automatically. Viewers can turn them on and off with a button in the video player.

Vimeo works the same way. Upload your video, go to the video settings, find the Subtitles section, and upload your SRT or VTT file. Both platforms handle the subtitle file for you, so you do not need to worry about file size or compatibility. This is the easiest route if your audience is watching on these platforms.

Timing and syncing subtitles correctly

Subtitles that are out of sync with the audio are worse than no subtitles at all. If you created your SRT file by hand or with a transcription service, check the timing carefully before you import it. Open the SRT file in a text editor and look at the timecodes — they should be in the format 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:08,500, meaning the subtitle appears at 5 seconds and disappears at 8.5 seconds.

After you import the subtitle file into your editing software, play through the video and watch the subtitles. If they are consistently early or late, you can shift all of them at once in most software. In DaVinci Resolve, right-click the subtitle track and look for "Offset" or "Shift". In Premiere Pro, select all subtitles and drag them together on the timeline. If only a few subtitles are out of sync, select them individually and adjust their timing in the Inspector or Effects panel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between SRT and VTT subtitle files?

SRT is older and simpler; VTT is newer and supports more formatting options like colors and positioning. Most video software accepts both. If you are unsure which to use, SRT is the safer choice because it works everywhere. You can convert between them using free online tools.

Can I add subtitles to a video that is already finished and exported?

Yes, but you will have to re-export it. Import the finished video back into your editing software as a new project, add the subtitle track or text overlays, and export again. This creates a second video file, so you will have both the original and the subtitled version.

Do burned-in subtitles make the video file larger?

Slightly, because the subtitles are now part of every frame. The difference is usually small — a few percent at most. Embedded subtitles add almost no file size because they are stored separately.

What if my subtitles are in a language other than English?

The process is identical. Your SRT file contains the text in whatever language you need. Most editing software and platforms like YouTube support multiple subtitle tracks, so you can add English, Spanish, French, and other languages all at once.

Can I edit subtitles after I have uploaded a video to YouTube?

Yes. Go to your video, click Details, find the Subtitles section, and click Edit next to the language. You can change the text, timing, or upload a new SRT file. The changes go live when ready.