How to Add Captions on TikTok Videos

Adding captions to your TikTok videos is a powerful way to enhance accessibility and engagement. Captions ensure that your content can be enjoyed by a wider audience, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as viewers who prefer watching videos with the sound off. By integrating captions, you make your videos more inclusive and potentially increase your reach.

Captions can also help convey your message more clearly, making it easier for viewers to understand your content regardless of background noise or accents. Knowing how to add and edit captions effectively can set your TikTok videos apart, making them more professional and polished. In this guide, you'll learn useful tips and methods for adding captions to your TikTok videos.

1) Open the TikTok app

To start adding captions to your TikTok videos, open the TikTok app on your mobile device. If you don't have it installed, download it from your device's app store.

Once installed, tap the TikTok icon to launch the app.

Make sure you're logged in to your TikTok account. If not, enter your credentials to access your account.

When the app opens, you'll land on the home screen featuring your For You page. You are now ready to proceed with creating or editing a video to add captions.

2) Tap the '+' icon to create a new video

To begin adding captions on TikTok, first, open the app on your device. Then, locate and tap the '+' icon at the bottom center of the screen. This will take you to the video creation interface.

You can either record a video directly within the app or upload one from your camera roll. To record, press and hold the red record button.

If you want to upload a pre-recorded video, tap the thumbnail icon next to the record button. This will open your camera roll, allowing you to select the desired video.

After recording or uploading your video, proceed by pressing the checkmark icon. This will take you to the next stage where you can edit and enhance your video, including adding captions. Your video is now ready for further customization.

3) Record or upload your video

To add captions on TikTok, you first need a video. Open the TikTok app, then tap the "+" icon at the bottom of the screen to begin.

You have two options: record a new video or upload one from your camera roll. If you choose to record, hold down the red record button to capture your content.

If you prefer to upload, tap the "Upload" button next to the record button. This will open your phone’s gallery, where you can select the video you want to use.

Once you have your video ready, you can proceed to the next steps to add captions.

Click 'Text' at the bottom of the screen

To begin adding captions, open your video for editing in the TikTok app. Locate the 'Text' button at the bottom of the screen. This button is easily recognizable and crucial for adding text elements to your video.

Tap on the 'Text' button to activate the text input field. Here, you can type in your desired captions. This feature allows for customization, so you can adjust the font style, color, and alignment.

Experiment with different text styles to match the tone of your video. TikTok offers a range of options, ensuring your captions can be both functional and visually appealing. Make sure your text is readable and stands out against the background of your video.

After adding your text, you can drag it to position it perfectly within your video frame. This step ensures that your viewers can easily read the captions without any obstruction. Once you're satisfied with the placement, proceed to finalize your video.

Review your video to ensure the captions are accurate and timed correctly. This step is vital for accessibility and viewer engagement. Accurate captions enhance the viewer's experience, making your content more inclusive.

5) Type in your caption text

Once you’ve recorded or uploaded your video on TikTok, tap the "Text" button located on the editing screen.

A text field will appear where you can type your desired caption. Use this opportunity to clarify, add context, or simply enhance the narrative of your video.

Ensure your text is clear and easy to read. You can customize the font, color, and alignment to match your video's style.

After typing, use the drag-and-drop feature to position the text on the screen. This helps make your captions more accessible and visually appealing.

Before finalizing, preview your video to see how the captions look. Make any necessary adjustments for better readability.

Your captions are now ready to be part of your engaging TikTok video.

6) Adjust the font, color, and style

Once you've added your captions, adjusting the font, color, and style can make them more engaging. Start by selecting the caption text. TikTok provides several font options to choose from, ranging from bold to light styles.

Changing the color of your captions helps them stand out. Tap the color palette icon to see various color choices. Pick a color that contrasts well with your video background to ensure readability.

For additional style adjustments, TikTok offers effects like shadows and highlights. These can add depth to your text. To apply, find the style menu and experiment with different effects until your captions look appealing and are easy to read.

7) Drag the text to position it

Once you've typed out your captions, you can reposition the text on your video.

Tap and hold the text box with your finger.

Drag it to your desired location on the screen.

You can place the text at the top, bottom, or anywhere in between.

Orient the text where it doesn’t interfere with important elements in your video.

Ensuring the text is readable can improve viewer engagement.

Double-check the placement by playing back your video before finalizing your edit.

8) Tap 'Done' to save the caption

After you've finished typing your caption, the next step is crucial. Look for the 'Done' button located on the upper-right corner of your screen.

Tapping 'Done' tells the TikTok app that you're satisfied with your caption. This saves your text and finalizes its position on the video.

The caption should now appear where you placed it. Watch your video to ensure the caption is readable and correctly timed.

9) Preview your video with the caption

Previewing your video with the caption is essential. It helps you catch any mistakes or inconsistencies.

First, tap on the "Preview" button after adding your caption. This will play your video with the caption visible.

Watch the entire video. Pay close attention to the timing and placement of the text.

Ensure the captions are synchronized with the spoken words. Verify that they are easy to read.

Check for any spelling or grammatical errors. Make corrections if needed.

If the text is too fast or too slow, adjust the duration. Use the editing tools provided by TikTok to make these changes.

Preview again after making adjustments. Continue this process until you are satisfied with how the captions appear.

By thoroughly previewing, you ensure a polished and professional final product. This adds value to your content and improves viewer experience.

10) Make any final adjustments

After adding your captions, it's important to review your video for any final adjustments.

Check the timing of the captions to ensure they align with the audio and visuals. Misaligned captions can be confusing or hard to follow.

Read through the captions to spot any spelling or grammatical errors.

Watch the video from start to finish to confirm everything looks good. If needed, tweak the font size, style, or color for readability.

Ensure that the captions don't cover any important on-screen elements. If they do, reposition them as necessary.

Finally, save your changes and prepare to publish your video.

Understanding the Importance of Captions

Using captions in TikTok videos offers significant advantages, including promoting inclusivity for all viewers and increasing viewer engagement. Below, we explore these benefits in greater detail.

Accessibility Benefits

Captions are essential for making TikTok videos accessible to everyone. They provide a way for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to enjoy content without missing out on the audio elements. This inclusivity not only makes your videos more widely accessible but also reflects a commitment to equality.

Moreover, many users watch TikTok videos in situations where sound may not be an option, such as in public places or during work. Captions ensure your audience can experience your content fully, regardless of their environment. By including captions, you're broadening your video's reach and ensuring compliance with accessibility guidelines.

Enhancing Engagement

Captions also play a crucial role in enhancing viewer engagement. When viewers can read along with dialogues, speeches, or explanations, they are likely to spend more time watching your videos. This increased watch time can improve your video's algorithm ranking on TikTok, leading to greater visibility.

Additionally, captions add an extra layer of understanding to your content. They can help clarify what's being said, especially if the audio quality isn't perfect or if there are multiple speakers. This clarity encourages viewers to interact with your content through comments, shares, and likes, thereby fostering a more engaged and loyal audience.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Captions on TikTok

To add captions to your TikTok videos, you can use TikTok's built-in tools, manually input captions, or utilize third-party tools. Each method offers unique features and benefits.

Using TikTok's Built-In Caption Tool

TikTok provides an auto-captioning tool that simplifies the process. Begin by recording or uploading your video. Tap the Captions tool on the right side of the screen. The app will process the audio and generate captions automatically. Make sure to review and edit these captions for accuracy. After finalizing, save the captions and publish your video. This tool is convenient and user-friendly, making it a popular choice among creators.

Manual Captioning Techniques

For greater control over your captions, you can add them manually. Open the TikTok app and select the video you wish to caption. Tap the "Edit" button located below the video, then choose the "Text" option. Enter your desired caption in the provided text field. Adjust the font, color, and position of the text as needed. This method allows you to personalize the captions to match your video’s style.

Third-Party Tools for Captions

Several third-party apps and online tools offer advanced captioning options. Tools like Kapwing and Riverside enable you to edit captions more precisely. Upload your video to the chosen platform, use their caption tools to add text, and export the final version back to TikTok. These tools often provide features such as multilingual support and extensive formatting options, helping you create professional-looking captions.

Tips for Effective Captions

Effective captions on TikTok not only complement your videos but also improve engagement and discoverability. Focus on brevity and ensuring your text is easily readable to maximize the impact of your captions.

Keep It Concise

Captions should be short and to the point. TikTok users have limited attention spans, so conveying your message quickly is essential. Aim for no more than one or two sentences. Use keywords relevant to your video to make it easier for others to find.

Include calls-to-action to encourage engagement. Asking questions or prompting viewers to comment can increase interaction. Ensure the text adds value to the video content without overwhelming it.

Keep your language simple and avoid unnecessary jargon. This clarity helps reach a broader audience and keeps viewers focused on your content.

Ensure Readability

Readability is crucial for effective captions. Use a clear, legible font and sufficient size to make the text easily readable, even on smaller screens. TikTok’s built-in text tool offers a variety of fonts and colors; choose options that provide good contrast with your video background.

Proofread your captions for spelling and grammar errors. Mistakes can distract viewers and reduce your credibility. Edit auto-generated captions to ensure accuracy and clarity.

Avoid placing text in parts of the video where it might be obscured by other elements or platform UI features. Keep captions away from screen edges and important visual content to maintain readability.