How to Add Captions in CapCut: Auto Captions and SRT Export

To add captions in CapCut Desktop, import your video, open Text → Auto captions, choose the spoken language and create the captions. Review the generated words and timing on the timeline, adjust their appearance, then export and check the result. Menus and feature availability can vary by version, device, language and account.

Decide whether you need text visible in the video, a separate subtitle file, or both. A video with captions rendered into its picture is different from an SRT file that a compatible player can show as a selectable caption track.

1. Create auto captions in CapCut Desktop

1. Import the video. Create a project, choose Media → Import and add the video to the timeline. Play it once and check that the spoken audio is present.
2. Open auto captions. Select Text → Auto captions, choose the language spoken in the video and select Create. CapCut describes this desktop workflow in its subtitle guide.
3. Wait for recognition. The generated captions appear on the timeline. If recognition is unavailable for your language or account, use an available manual text or separate caption workflow.
4. Correct each line. Listen to the audio while checking the words, punctuation, speaker changes and timing. Names, numbers and short negatives can be misheard.
5. Preview the edit. Play from before the first cue through the end, checking that captions remain visible and match the speech after any video cuts.

2. Review timing, accuracy and accessibility

A caption can be technically synchronized yet hard to read. Break long sentences into natural phrases, keep each on screen long enough to read, and check that it starts and ends near the corresponding speech. Test the result on a phone as well as the editing screen.

For accessible captions, include relevant information that is conveyed by sound, not just the dialogue. For example, an off-screen [doorbell rings] may explain why a speaker turns around. Identify a speaker where necessary. The W3C captions guide explains speech and meaningful non-speech information.

If background music makes a word unclear, compare the original source or ask the speaker. A cleaner-sounding separation is not proof that a missing word was recovered. Saturalabs' voice isolator can test a supported recording but may leave bleed or alter speech; AI downloads require an account and sufficient credits, with cost shown before download. Saturalabs does not transcribe audio or create captions.

3. Adjust caption style and position

• Make the text readable: choose sufficient size and contrast against both bright and dark parts of the video.
• Protect the picture: avoid covering faces, instructional text or important action. Preview where a destination app's controls may overlap.
• Keep the timing after edits: if you trim or move a clip, play the affected section and verify captions still match.
• Check the whole frame: a style that works on a computer may be too small on a phone.

4. Export the captioned video or a caption file

Output	Use it for	Verify
Captioned video	Text rendered into the picture for sharing as a video file.	Open the exported file and check text, readability, sound and sync. Burned-in text cannot be switched off in the player.
SRT or TXT caption export	A separate text file for a supported workflow; SRT can contain cue timings.	The file's words, timestamps, encoding and compatibility with the destination player or platform.

CapCut's caption-export help says its Desktop caption export uses SRT or TXT and distinguishes Caption Export from Video Export. Its help also notes that text must originate from Auto Caption Recognition for the described caption export. Options and availability can change; inspect the export dialog in your version and test the actual file rather than assuming all manual text is included.

For a selectable caption track, upload the resulting supported file to a destination that accepts it and check playback there. The general subtitles guide includes an SRT example and YouTube steps.

CapCut mobile and web

CapCut also documents auto-caption workflows on mobile and web, but their starting screens and export options differ from Desktop. Look for Auto captions or AI captions in the available interface, choose the spoken language when prompted, and review the resulting text and timing before export. Consult CapCut's platform guide for the current flow; its web workflow has its own limits and may require an account.

For TikTok's own creator-caption controls rather than a CapCut export, see how to add captions on TikTok.

Troubleshooting

Problem	What to check
No captions generated	Check that the video has audible speech, the correct language is selected and the feature is available for your version and account.
Words are wrong or missing	Listen to the original, correct the text manually and check names, numbers, speaker changes and short negatives.
Captions drift after a cut	Review timing from the edit point to the end and adjust affected cues; export and play another test.
SRT export is missing text	Check the caption export option and whether the text was generated through Auto Caption Recognition, as described in CapCut's help.
The captioned video is hard to read	Inspect contrast, size and placement on a smaller screen and against different backgrounds.

Common questions

Can I add captions manually?

CapCut describes manual text tools as an alternative when a language is not supported. Time and review each element, and check export behavior: a manual text overlay may not appear in a separate caption file.

Can viewers switch off captions exported in the video?

Not when the text has been rendered into the picture. Provide a separate caption track when your platform and player support one.

Does Saturalabs generate CapCut captions?

No. Its audio tools can help prepare a soundtrack or test isolation; use CapCut or another caption editor to generate, correct and time the text.