Here's a step-by-step guide on how to add captions to TikTok videos.
Remember when you had to manually type out every word in your TikTok videos? Those days are over. With 90% of users watching TikTok content on mute, captions aren't just an aesthetic addition – they're essential for growth. But here's the good news: you can now caption a 60-second TikTok in under 2 minutes. And it won’t just make your videos more accessible; your engagement rates will thank you for it too.
The math is simple. A manually captioned 1-minute TikTok takes about 30 minutes to get right. Multiply that by 30 videos a month, and you're losing 15 hours of creative time. With QuickSubs, you're looking at 2 minutes per video. That's one hour to caption an entire month’s worth of videos.
But it gets better. TikTok data shows that creators using automated captions see massive improvements across the board. Captioned TikToks see 64% higher conversion rates.
They get more shares. And they expand reach to non-native English speakers. That’s not just statistics – it's real growth for your account.
Think about it. Every time someone scrolls through TikTok in a public place, at work, or late at night, they're probably watching on mute. Without captions, you're invisible to them. But with clear, professional captions, you're suddenly accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Before you start with QuickSubs, let's optimize your video for the best results. A little preparation goes a long way in getting those perfect captions.
First up: audio quality. Record in a quiet space. Our AI works best with clear audio. Your phone's built-in mic is perfectly fine, but keep it close to you. About arm's length is perfect. And if you're outdoors, try to avoid windy days or busy streets.
First, ensure your audio is clean. Remove any heavy background music that might interfere with speech recognition. With QuickSubs’ Pro and Scale plans, you can add the music back before exporting the captioned video. You can also add music while uploading your video on TikTok.
Sign up for a free QuickSubs account – no credit card needed. The setup takes less than a minute; all you need is to enter your email address. The trial version gives you two free videos to test our service.
Click on 'Upload' and drag in your video. You can also upload the file from your phone.
QuickSubs processes most TikTok-length videos in under a minute.
Use the side-by-side editor to check accuracy. Fix any brand names or specialized terms. Our AI handles most accents well, but double-check for misspelled proper nouns or the occasional missed word.
Choose from TikTok-optimized fonts and colors. White text with a black stroke works best for readability. Use smart zones to avoid covering important visual elements or TikTok's interface.
Your video is now ready to be uploaded. Download your captioned video in TikTok-ready MP4 format. The captions are burned in, meaning they’ll show up perfectly every time, no matter the device.
After downloading your video, you're ready to post to TikTok. As much as it can be tempting to publish right away, you don't want to waste all your hard work: it's best to schedule it for the most optimal time.
When is the best time? The best time to post is when your audience is most engaged/active, and this varies depending on your niche.
It's especially important here to know how to schedule TikTok posts, including beyond the default 30 days (that's why professional TikTokers often have multiple months planned out in advance).
TikTok’s built-in captioning is an alternative, but it comes with limitations. Here’s how to use it:
TikTok’s native captions offer limited customization options. You can't control font size, and placement options are restricted.
Some users have also complained of limited accessibility to the feature itself. The auto-captioning feature is not uniformly available to all accounts and in all regions.
You can try updating your app version, but if you still can’t see an option for adding captions for TikTok videos, a third-party tool like QuickSubs is your best bet.
Make your captions impossible to ignore (in a good way):
Running into problems? Here are quick fixes:
Stop losing viewers to silent scrolling. With automated captions, you're not just saving time – you're investing in growth. Start with one video. Compare your manual captioning time to QuickSubs’ automated process. The difference will speak for itself.
Your next viral TikTok is waiting. Make sure everyone can enjoy it – with the sound on or off.
