How to Put Text in Final Cut Pro And Make Your Edits Stand Out

Learn how to put text in Final Cut Pro for titles, captions, or subtitles that blend smoothly and give your video a professional touch. Alternatively, use CapCut to add and customize text with effects, fonts, and colors to boost viewer engagement.

CapCut
CapCut
May 22, 2025
79 min(s)

Whether you need subtitles, titles, or captions, adding text to your video is a fundamental part of video editing. In Final Cut Pro, any videographic project you may wish to elaborate on in one way or another will involve adding text for clarity, context, or eye-candy. Whether it's a YouTube video, a tutorial, or a business presentation, knowing how to put text in Final Cut Pro is essential.

This guide outlines easy ways to add text to video in Final Cut Pro in a couple of minutes, ensuring your video is clean and captivating.

Table of content
  1. Why should you use FCPX to add text
  2. Top 3 ways to add text to video in Final Cut Pro
  3. Unique ideas to add text in Final Cut Pro
  4. Pros and cons of adding text to video in Final Cut Pro
  5. An easier & free way to add engaging text & subtitles to videos: CapCut
  6. Conclusion
  7. FAQs

Why should you use FCPX to add text

Final Cut Pro X lets you add elegant text to your videos within a short period. It doesn't matter how proficient or new you are at editing, you will professionally insert the text using Final Cut Pro. Here is the reason why a lot of creators use FCPX to insert text into videos:

  • Easy interface

FCPX is famous for its easy interface. Its interface is the easiest to navigate and utilize because of its graphical text interface. You can easily drag and drop a title template and input characters into the required titles in Final Cut Pro, which will save you a lot of time formatting titles in complicated menus.

  • Advanced animations

Adding text and visuals is made more effortless and pleasurable with the integrated motion graphics and text graphics effects as well as the inclusion of several keyframes while animating text. For example, the text in FCP can be programmed to automatically move, fade, or slide over the screen.

  • Seamless integration

Apple’s tools and plugins help Final Cut Pro X stay organized and easy to use. You can edit text, audio, and video in one place using motion templates and timelines. This removes the need to switch apps and avoids compatibility issues.

  • Custom styles

When adding titles, you can modify font, size, color, background, and plenty more. FCPX supports extensive customization of text templates, meaning you can change attributes like subtitles to match the video or logo. This assists in creating an identity or characteristic for each new video to which text is added.

  • High-quality rendering

Exporting will still keep text sharp and smooth under FCPX. The software will ensure basic fonts and complex animated titles, such as inserts and excerpts, are clear on screens, no matter what's used. This is beneficial while creating professional or high-quality video materials.

Top 3 ways to add text to video in Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro provides you with multiple methods to add text, some of which are more convenient than others. Whether you are looking for basic captions or stylized animated titles, knowing the right techniques can enhance the quality of your content. Here are the 3 easiest ways to add text to a video in Final Cut Pro:

Add basic text

Basic text works well for titles, names, and labels. Captions that are clean and easy to read are considered basic text. Basic text does not distract with bold animations and effects that can take away from the action in the video. This is one of the best techniques to add text to videos in Final Cut Pro when you're pressed for time and want a clean result.

How to put text into a video in Final Cut Pro using basic text

Adding text to videos in Final Cut Pro is quite easy using basic text. Here is how you can use this method to add text to Final Cut:

    STEP 1
  1. Add the clip and use the shortcut for basic text

Place your video clip in the Timeline and move the playhead where you want the text to start. Press "Control + T" to instantly add text on Final Cut Pro using the basic title option.

    STEP 2
  1. Adjust the text length as needed

Trim the title manually or match it to your clip's length using shortcuts like X and Control + T. This helps control how long the text stays visible in your video.

    STEP 3
  1. Rename and reposition your text

Double-click the text in the viewer to change its content. Press Escape and drag the text to adjust its position on screen for better layout.

Showing how to add basic text in Final Cut Pro

Add lower third

The lower third text is a small title or a small section of text that appears near the bottom of the screen that is used primarily for the purpose of displaying names and other details. They have a professional appearance and do not lose the attention of the viewer from the video. Adding the lower third text in video editing software like Final Cut Pro enables you to manage the information throughout your video.

How to insert text in Final Cut Pro using the lower third

Lower thirds are quite easy to manage as they can be retrieved from the ready options or can be created and edited in a few moves. Here is how to use these effectively in FCP:

    STEP 1
  1. Add a basic lower third to your timeline

Move your playhead to the beginning of the clip and press Control + Shift + T. This adds a default lower third title, making it easy to insert text in Final Cut.

    STEP 2
  1. Customize the appearance of the lower third

Double-click the title in the viewer to edit it using the Text Inspector. You can change each text layer separately using the layer arrows.

    STEP 3
  1. Improve visibility with outlines and shadows

Turn on outlines and drop shadows in each layer to make your lower third more readable. These adjustments help your Final Cut Pro text stand out in different backgrounds.

An easy way to insert text in Final Cut Pro using lower third

Add titles

These are pieces of text that are meant to cleanly represent and give the overview of the text that follows or to give an introduction of what the viewer is about to see, logically placed in between or alongside the video footage. Titles can also be decorative, depending on the style of your content. When you add text to video in Final Cut Pro, it helps create a clear structure for the video.

How to put text into a video in Final Cut Pro using the title tool

With Final Cut Pro, you can effortlessly use the Title tool to incorporate stylish animated text into your video. Here is how to do it in simple steps:

    STEP 1
  1. Select your title

Go to the Titles and Generators sidebar to browse through different title templates. Categories like 3D, Build In/Out, and 360° offer a range of animated and static options to add text in FCPX.

    STEP 2
  1. Modify your title's appearance

Once the title is placed on the timeline, you can modify its text and style in the Text Inspector. Adjust fonts, colors, and text layers to make your text match your project's tone.

    STEP 3
  1. Customize layers and effects

Many title templates come with multiple layers of text, which you can adjust individually. Use the Text Layer arrows to modify each part of your title for a more dynamic effect.

A quick way to add text to video in Final Cut Pro using the Title tool

Unique ideas to add text in Final Cut Pro

With Final Cut Pro, there are many creative ways to add titles to your projects. There's no need to add dull text. When editing promos, vlogs, and even short films, the following ideas will make it fun to insert text in Final Cut Pro:

  • Kinetic typography

This is a style where the audio, such as music or voiceovers, influences the speed and emotion of the movement of the words. When adding text to a scene in Final Cut Pro, you can use this feature to add energy to scenes. It is good for showing emotions, or reinforcing aspects of your story.

  • 3D text effects

FCPX lets you turn plain words into 3D titles that pop out on the screen. You can rotate, shadow, and light your text in creative ways when you add text to video in Final Cut Pro. These effects work well in intros, credits, or product showcases.

  • Split-screen text

This feature lets you show text on one side and video on the other. It’s useful for comparisons, feature lists, or highlighting two things at once while keeping the layout clean and organized. It also helps viewers focus on key details without overwhelming the screen or causing distractions.

  • Text over video

As for the moving images, placing the text on top serves the purpose of explaining the flow. Each part of a video can be labeled, quoted, or captioned in Final Cut Pro so the viewer will not be taken from the focus of the film. Although simple, it does a lot when it comes to structured storytelling.

  • Custom fonts

Concerning the phrases of a certain video, you can also make it more branded or personal by specific styles of fonts. Any text style can be installed and used, and this is the advantage FCPX gives. Thus, there is complete freedom when it comes to adding text to a video in Final Cut Pro.

Pros and cons of adding text to video in Final Cut Pro

Pros
  • Wide variety of title templates: Animate and customize text with 3D depth using extensively available title templates in Final Cut Pro. From simple texts to elaborately designed ones, everything is available.
  • Customizable text layers: The Text Inspector in Final Cut Pro provides in-depth customization, enabling you to adjust font, size, color, and position. This flexibility helps you tailor the text to fit the style and genre of your video.
  • Seamless integration with video clips: Adding text to video clips without disturbing the flow of editing has always been difficult. However, with Final Cut Pro, syncing titles seamlessly with clips and transitions is a walk in the park.
  • High-quality rendering: Whether you are dealing with a simple or animated text, Final Cut Pro makes sure to render it with text quality. This makes sure that the text is crisp and clear, even when exported into a high resolution.
Cons
  • Learning curve for advanced features: While Final Cut Pro is user-friendly for basic edits, its advanced tools can take time to learn. Features like keyframing, custom transitions, and motion graphics require practice.
  • Limited third-party plugins integration: Although there are plenty of title templates provided by Final Cut Pro, the ability to add external text style or effects through specialized software is, at best, complicated due to lack of support.
  • Subscription or one-time purchase required: Final Cut Pro is premium software and requires a one-time payment. Final Cut Pro is available for a 90-day free trial, after which users must purchase it ($299.99).

An easier & free way to add engaging text & subtitles to videos: CapCut

The CapCut desktop video editor lets users add stylized text and captions to videos with little effort and at no monetary cost. Creators can now add animations to text and subtitles in a matter of seconds with CapCut. Moreover, it guarantees precise addition and enhancement of text for all undertakings, whether it is a YouTube video, social media content, or even personal projects.

Interface of the CapCut desktop video editor - an easy way to add text and captions to videos

Key features

The CapCut desktop version incorporates an array of functions to assist the user in seamlessly adding text and subtitles to videos. Some of its most notable features are:

  • AI font generator

CapCut's AI font generator allows users to create custom fonts with unique visual flair. Whether you're aiming for a modern, handwritten, or stylized look, the AI helps generate fonts that match your creative vision.

  • Rich collection of text styles

CapCut provides a range of text styles and templates to choose from, making it easy to match your video's theme. You can create engaging titles, captions, or effects that align with the video's sound.

  • Personalize font type and color

CapCut lets you customize the font type, size, and color, letting you match your video's branding or theme. It helps create a unique, cohesive look for your text throughout the video.

  • One-click caption generation

With just one click, CapCut's auto caption generator can add subtitles to an entire video, saving time on manual text entry. It's perfect for fast-paced editing when you need subtitles quickly.

  • Precise text-to-audio conversion

CapCut automatically converts AI text to voice, ensuring precise synchronization between speech and captions. This is especially useful for creating professional, readable subtitles.

How to add accurate captions and text to videos with CapCut

Adding captions and text accurately requires CapCut. To install and download CapCut, visit the official website and click on the download button for the desktop version. Follow the simple instructions, and start using the software to add text and captions to your videos. Users can start this process by clicking the download button below.

    STEP 1
  1. Import the video

Open CapCut on your desktop and import your video by clicking "Import" or dragging it from your PC to the workspace. Drag the file onto the timeline to start editing.

Importing a video into the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 2
  1. Generate auto captions and add AI fonts

Use the "Split" tool to trim and remove any unwanted clips from your video. Then, generate captions to improve accessibility by going to "Captions" > "Auto captions", selecting the spoken language, and clicking Generate. Enhance the captions by applying bright text effects in the "Effects" tab. You can also make your text stand out by creating custom fonts using an "AI font generator".

Generating auto caption and adding AI fonts to a video with the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 3
  1. Export and share

Once editing is complete, press "Export", choose the appropriate resolution and format, and confirm by clicking "Export" again to save. You may also click "Share" to post the video directly on TikTok or YouTube.

Exporting a video from the CapCut desktop video editor

Conclusion

Knowing how to add text in Final Cut Pro is an essential skill that you should learn to enhance the overall quality of your videos. It can be as basic as titles or as complex as animated text. In Final Cut Pro, customizing and editing text is simple because the software comes equipped with numerous tools. Text capable of meeting industry standards may be created using lower thirds, 3D titles, and animations. For efficient and effortless editing, you can also opt for alternatives like the CapCut desktop video editor.

FAQs

    1
  1. Is it possible to add text to a video in Final Cut Pro with motion tracking?

You can use text with motion tracking in Final Cut Pro, as it has motion tracking capabilities. Text can be attached to a moving object in a video as long as you can track its motion. You may use the built-in object tracking feature to attach a piece of text that moves about a subject in the video. If you are looking for an easier option, try using an alternative like the CapCut desktop video editor. CapCut supports one-click subtitle generation and includes various text effects.

    2
  1. Can I automate the process of adding text to video in Final Cut Pro with templates?

Final Cut Pro gives you access to a wide library of pre-made title templates that you can freely drag and drop into your timeline. These templates can be adjusted to fit the style of your video and are particularly beneficial when attempting to add uniform text elements. However, to add text and use custom fonts to make them pop in the video, use CapCut as an alternative.

    3
  1. What types of text tools are available in Final Cut Pro for video editing?

In Final Cut Pro, you can create titles, lower thirds, 3D text, and animated text effects. Final Cut Pro also lets you tailor the text attributes, such as the font, size, color, and animation, through the Text Inspector. Also, if you're looking for an easier way out, you can download the CapCut desktop video editor, which provides different text styles and templates to choose from.