Premiere Pro Subtitles Beginner Tutorial: Fast Way to Add Captions

Ever found yourself hitting a roadblock when adding Premiere Pro subtitles? You're not alone. But don't let the thought of navigating this feature in Adobe's powerhouse editing software intimidate you. Adding captions in Premiere Pro is simpler than you might think, and you're about to learn how to do it in just a minute. Keep reading!

The difference between subtitles and captions in Premiere Pro

In Adobe Premiere Pro, subtitles and captions are terms often used interchangeably, but they serve slightly different purposes. Subtitles are primarily designed for viewers who do not understand the language spoken in the video. They translate the dialogue into another language, making the content accessible to a broader audience. Subtitles assume the viewer can hear the audio but need the dialogue in text form in another language.



Captions, on the other hand, are intended for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, providing not only dialogue but also other relevant parts of the soundtrack - like sound effects, background noises, and music cues that are important for understanding the context or emotional tone of the scene. Captions can be closed (CC), meaning they can be turned on or off by the viewer, or open, which are always visible on the screen.



In Premiere Pro, subtitles and captions can be created and customized in font, color, size, and positioning. However, the purpose behind each is what primarily differentiates them: subtitles for language translation and captions for accessibility.

How to add subtitles or captions in Premiere Pro

You have a few options for creating captions: Automatically transcribe speech to text, import a caption file from a third-party service, or add them manually.

Method 1: Manually transcribe captions

If you have short sequences, you can choose to manually transcribe sequences.

Step
1. Open the Captions and Graphics workspace (Window > Workspaces > Captions and Graphics). This opens the Text panel (where you create and edit caption text) and the Essential Graphics panel (where you stylize your text). In the Text panel, click Create new caption track (macOS: Opt + Cmd + A | Win: Ctrl + Alt + A).
Step
2. In the New Caption Track dialog that opens, you can choose your caption track format and style. The default format option is Subtitle which allows you to create nice-looking stylized subtitles that get burned into the video image or can be exported as a sidecar.
Step
3. Place the play head at the beginning of your first piece of dialog. Use the waveforms in the audio to help align the text caption to the audio. Then, click the + icon in the Text panel to add a blank caption. Or use these keyboard shortcuts (macOS: Opt + Cmd + C | Win: Ctrl +Alt + C).
Step
4. Double-click New Caption in the Text panel or the Program Monitor to start editing the caption. Then type in the caption text. Trim the end of the caption in the timeline to align with the end of the spoken dialog. Continue adding captions in the same way to the rest of the audio in the sequence.
5. 

   

Method 2: Use a third-party service

If you already have a workflow that uses a third-party transcription service such as Notta, you can import the SRT file into your Premiere Pro project just like any piece of media. Drag the SRT from the Project panel into your sequence and drop it anywhere in the sequence. Premiere Pro will create and place the captions on a new caption track.



Method 3: Auto-transcribe your video

Step
1. Select Window > Text. Select the ... icon in the Transcript tab to open the Generate static transcript dialog box to set your transcription options.
2. You can choose the language in the video and download the language pack if needed. Additionally, you can decide whether to separate the speakers or not in the video.
3. Audio analysis: You can transcribe audio clips tagged as Dialogue using the Essential Sound panel or transcribe audio from a specific audio track.
4. Transcribe in point to out point only: You can transcribe the audio within that range of marked In and Out points.
5. Merge output with existing transcription: You can insert the auto-transcription into an existing one when transcribing between specific In and Out points. Selecting this option creates continuity between the existing transcription and the new one.
Step
6. Select Transcribe, and Premiere Pro will start the transcription process and display the results within the Transcript tab.
7. 

   

How to customize and add captions in Premiere Pro

Premiere Pro offers an easier path to customizing and adding captions to your video projects, so you can enhance accessibility and viewer engagement. By using its dedicated captions and subtitles feature, you can create, edit, and style text directly within the timeline. This includes adjusting font, color, size, and positioning, ensuring your captions perfectly complement your content. Here is how to do it.

Step
1. Head over to the Captions tab. Then Sequence > Captions > Add New Caption Track.
Step
2. In the pop-up window, you'll find four choices for adding subtitles to your completed video project.
Step
3. Choose the ''CEA-708'' setting because it perfectly balances between compatibility and features. Hit OK, and you'll find a ''Blank Captions Layer'' inserted at the top of the timeline.
4. 

   

Method 1: Using the Captions Panel

It's very easy to create Premiere Pro subtitles, all thanks to its amazing AI Transcription tools. Just keep in mind that you'll need an internet connection to use the automated subtitling functions, and the accuracy of your transcription will depend on how clear your audio is.

Step
1. Go to Window> Text to open the Captions Panel. In the Captions tab, click Transcribe Sequence, and a box will pop up with further options.
Step
2. Choose the desired audio track from the drop-down list, followed by the language and number of speakers. Hit Create; Premiere will take a few minutes to transcribe your sequence.
Step
3. When the transcription is complete, hit Play on your timeline and read through the transcription, making any corrections in the Captions panel.
Step
4. When the transcription is ready, hit the Create Captions button at the top of the panel.
Step
5. In the pop-up window, select Create Captions from Transcription. Click Create, and Premiere will add your captions to the timeline.
6. 

   

Method 2: Customize and manually add captions

Step
1. To add a caption, first, make sure there is room in the timeline for the inserted text. In the Captions panel, select one of the surrounding captions and right-click; choose Add New Caption Before/After.
Step
2. Enter your text in the newly added caption box. To display more extended captions over 2 or more lines, use the Return button in the Caption Editor to create different lines.
Step
3. Select your captions in the timeline and go to the Essential Graphics panel. Here, you can adjust the color, alignment, fonts, and background of your captions.
4. 

   

While Premiere Pro offers an array of tools and customizations for adding captions, it can sometimes feel overwhelming and pricey for beginners or projects with a tighter budget. CapCut emerges as a practical solution by providing a straightforward, no-cost option for users looking to efficiently add and tailor captions to their videos. It significantly reduces the learning curve and financial constraints associated with Premiere Pro, allowing for a more accessible and enjoyable video editing process. Let's explore how you can leverage CapCut to customize and add captions freely.

How do I customize and add captions for free

CapCut desktop editor is a professional yet free editing software program that provides users with powerful tools to create stunning visual content. It offers an intuitive interface, making it easy for beginners and professionals alike to customize videos and add captions. With CapCut, you can enhance your videos with personalized texts and styles just a click away, all at no cost.

Key features

• Auto captions & add captions
• It has an auto-captions function that can generate and add subtitles to a video automatically. It also lets you manually add your text and also customize the font style, size, and effects.
• All-in-one audio and video editing tool
• Comprehensive video editing toolkit that has basic features like crop, trim, split, and advanced ones like speed curve, retouch, mask, and chroma keying. It also comes with an audio set that consists of functions like music, sound effects, and extracted audio.
• Integration with TikTok and YouTube
• CapCut desktop editor offers seamless integration with TikTok and YouTube, allowing you to sign in from TikTok and YouTube and directly share your edited content to your account.
• Support diverse file formats
• It allows you to import videos, audio, or photos and allows you to export videos to MP4 and MOV file formats.

Step
1. Import
2. After uploading your media file, click on ''Text'' for the caption options. There are two ways, you can either import local captions files (it supports SRT, LRC, and ASS captions)or select ''Auto captions'' to generate captions automatically.
3. 

   

Step
4. Freely add and customize captions now
5. To add captions, you can choose to auto-generate them or manually type in your captions on the track. For auto-generated captions, click on ''Auto captions'', select your preferred language, and hit ''Create''.
6. 

   

7. On the other hand, you can add captions manually by selecting ''Add to text'', and clicking the plus sign (+) to add the caption track. You will find the (+) sign when you hover or place your mouse in the ''Default text'' box. Now, move to the right side of the panel and start typing your captions in the text box underneath ''Basic''. When you finish, you can customize the captions by changing the font type, style, size, color, etc. You will find these editing features when you scroll down.
8. 

   

9. You have more creative options with CapCut's AI-powered text generator. This feature lets you generate text effects with just a prompt and description. Click on ''AI generated'', enter your text (up to 20 characters), and provide a detailed description of how you want your captions to look(indicate font style, type, size, color, etc,) then hit ''Generate''.
10. 

    

11. After adding captions, you can customize them with text effects. It offers a range of text effects and stylish fonts to make your captions visually appealing. Click ''Effects'', select from the fonts available and it will be automatically applied to the caption track. Then, type in your captions in the text box under ''Basic'' and all your captions will appear in the style you selected.
12. 

    

13. In addition to captioning, CapCut also provides a variety of pro audio features like an add music and sound function, sound effects, or even custom audio recordings to create a more immersive viewing experience. You can also freely access its advanced video editing features like Cutout, Mask, and Enhance. These allow you to refine and polish your footage for a professional finish.
14. 

    

Step
15. Export

Before exporting, you can customize your video's cover image and title name to make it more appealing and easily recognizable. You can adjust settings such as resolution, format (MP4, MOV, etc.), and frame rate to ensure your video meets the desired quality and compatibility requirements for different platforms.



Finally, click ''Export'' and wait till your video fully generates before sharing it on either TikTok or YouTube.



Conclusion

Remember, in today's digital age, captions and subtitles are more than just an accessibility feature—they're a powerful tool to amplify your message, expand your reach, and engage with your audience on a deeper level. Whether it's a viewer watching in a noisy environment, a non-native speaker, or someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, Premiere Pro subtitles ensure that your content is accessible to all. Adding subtitles and captions in Premiere Pro becomes easier once you get the hang of it, but for a straightforward and free process of adding captions to your videos, choose CapCut desktop editor. It allows you to auto-generate subtitles, manually add captions, or import a caption file. You can also customize your captions and subtitles with its extensive font styles and text effects. Don't let your content get lost in translation or overlooked due to the absence of captions. Implement what you've learned, and watch as your videos break barriers and reach new heights with CapCut. Get started today!

FAQs

1. Can you auto-generate captions in Premiere Pro?
2. Yes, you can auto-generate captions in Premiere Pro using its built-in automated captioning feature. This tool converts audio to text, creating a caption track that you can edit and customize. Meanwhile, for an even more user-friendly experience, CapCut offers a seamless auto-captions feature, enabling you to add captions to your videos with a click. Try it now!
3. Can Premiere Pro transcribe captions in other languages?
4. Yes, Premiere Pro can transcribe captions in multiple languages using language packs. You can download language packs for various languages to enable transcription and create captions in languages other than English. Similarly, CapCut's auto-captions generator also supports transcribing content in 100+ languages like Spanish and French, providing flexibility for creators who work with multilingual content. Ready to effortlessly transcribe your videos in multiple languages? Try CapCut today!
5. Is it free or paid to add subtitles for Premiere Pro?
6. In Premiere Pro, adding subtitles is a feature included in the paid version of the software. Subtitling capabilities are part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, which requires a subscription to access the full range of features. However, CapCut allows you to add and customize subtitles to your videos at no cost. Sign up now to get started!