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How to Add Subtitles to a YouTube Video (Free)

There are two ways to add subtitles to a YouTube video: upload a subtitle file (.srt) for closed captions viewers can toggle, or burn the subtitles into the video so they always show (best for Shorts). Both start with a subtitle file — and you can create one free from your video's audio, in your browser, with nothing uploaded.

Step by step

1. Add your video. Open the free transcription tool and drop in the video — it extracts the audio automatically. Nothing is uploaded.
2. Auto-generate the subtitles. It transcribes the speech with word-level timing (OpenAI Whisper) in 99 languages.
3. Edit and export .srt. Fix any word, then download a clean .srt or .vtt subtitle file with accurate timestamps.
4. Upload to YouTube. In YouTube Studio, open your video, go to Subtitles, and upload the .srt — or burn the captions into the video for Shorts.

Closed captions vs. burned-in on YouTube

For a normal YouTube video, uploading an .srt gives viewers toggleable closed captions and helps SEO — YouTube can index the text. For Shorts, burned-in captions are better because most people watch on mute and Shorts caption display is inconsistent. You can do both from one transcription: upload the .srt for the long-form video and burn captions in for the Short.

Get the subtitle file free

You don't need YouTube's auto-captions (which you can't fully control) or a paid service. SnipSound's transcription tool and SRT generator create accurate .srt/.vtt files free, in 99 languages, entirely in your browser. See also the full guide to adding captions to a video.

Frequently asked questions

How do I add subtitles to a YouTube video for free?

Create a subtitle file free by transcribing your video's audio, then upload the .srt in YouTube Studio under Subtitles. SnipSound generates the .srt in your browser — 99 languages, accurate timestamps, no account, nothing uploaded.

What subtitle file does YouTube need?

YouTube accepts .srt and .vtt subtitle files. SnipSound exports both with accurate timestamps, so you can upload directly in YouTube Studio.

Are auto-generated subtitles accurate?

For clear speech, yes — about 95% on a clean-speech benchmark with the free model. You can edit any word before exporting, so your final subtitles are exact. Accuracy dips on heavy accents or background noise.

Can I add subtitles in other languages?

Yes — transcription supports 99 languages with automatic detection, so you can generate subtitles in the video's language and export the .srt.