Subtitles make videos accessible, boost engagement, and improve SEO. Studies show that 85% of Facebook videos are watched without sound, and subtitled videos see 40% higher watch time on average.

Open Captions vs. Closed Captions

Open captions are burned into the video — always visible, cannot be turned off
Closed captions are a separate file (SRT, VTT) that viewers can toggle on or off

For most use cases, closed captions in SRT or VTT format are the standard.

Subtitle File Formats

SRT (SubRip Text)

The most widely supported format. Works with YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, LinkedIn, and most video editors.

VTT (Web Video Text Tracks)

The web standard. Required for HTML5 video players and supported by most platforms.

ASS/SSA (Advanced SubStation Alpha)

Advanced format with styling, positioning, and effects. Used in anime fansubs and professional video production.

How to Generate Subtitles with AI

Step-by-step

Upload your video to Blazescribe (MP4, MOV, WEBM, or any format)
AI transcribes the audio with accurate timing for each sentence
Download your subtitle file in SRT, VTT, or both formats
Upload to your video platform or burn into the video using your editor

Why AI subtitles are better than manual

A 10-minute video takes 30-60 minutes to subtitle manually
AI generates subtitles in under 2 minutes
Timing is automatically synced to speech
98%+ accuracy on clear audio
Multi-language support for international audiences

Adding Subtitles to Different Platforms

YouTube

Go to YouTube Studio > Subtitles
Select your video
Click Add Language and upload your SRT file
Review and publish

Social Media (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn)

Most social platforms support burned-in captions. Use your video editor to overlay the SRT file, or use a tool that auto-burns captions with custom styling.

Websites

Use the VTT format with the HTML5 <track> element for native browser caption support.

Tips for Better Subtitles

Keep lines short — Maximum 42 characters per line, 2 lines maximum
Time accurately — Subtitles should appear when the speaker starts and disappear when they stop
Use readable fonts — Sans-serif fonts with a semi-transparent background work best
Review for accuracy — AI is accurate but not perfect. Proofread proper nouns and technical terms
Consider translation — AI tools can generate subtitles in multiple languages from a single video

Accessibility and Legal Requirements

Many countries require captions for public-facing video content. The ADA in the US, the Equality Act in the UK, and the European Accessibility Act all mandate captioning in various contexts. Adding subtitles is not just good practice — it may be legally required.

Generate accurate subtitles for any video. Sign up for Blazescribe and get SRT and VTT files in minutes.

How to Add Subtitles to Videos Using AI

Turn audio into scripts, posts, and show notes — in minutes.