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How to add subtitles to your own videos on YouTube in 2 different ways

Devon Delfino   

How to add subtitles to your own videos on YouTube in 2 different ways
Tech4 min read

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It's easy to add subtitles to your own videos on YouTube.

  • You can add subtitles on YouTube in two different ways for your own videos.
  • If you upload YouTube videos, you may want to add subtitles, or closed captions, to make your videos more accessible to a wider audience.
  • Here's what you'll need to do to add subtitles on your YouTube videos by either uploading a pre-written file or adding them manually.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Adding subtitles, or closed captions, to your own YouTube videos can help make them more accessible to a wider audience.

And whether you're using the Classic or Beta versions of the studio, you should be able to get it done fairly easily. Just keep in mind that the method you use will determine how long it takes to add the captions, or subtitles, to your video.

Here's how to do it using either a pre-written file or adding them as you go:

How to add subtitles on YouTube by uploading a pre-written file

Before you get started, check that the file type you want to upload is supported on YouTube.

1. Sign into YouTube Studio Beta.

2. In the left sidebar, select "Videos."

3. Click on the title or thumbnail of the video you want to add subtitles to.

4. Select "Advanced" toward the top of the screen.

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Click on Advanced.

5. Under "Original video language, subtitles and CC," select a language in the dropdown, then click "Upload Subtitles/CC."

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Click on Upload Subtitles/CC.

6. Choose to upload a file with or without timing and click "Continue."

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Choose whether you want to include timing.

7. Select the file and click "Open."

8. Click "Save."

How to add subtitles on YouTube by uploading them manually

Keep in mind that this is only currently available on YouTube Studio Classic, so if you're using YouTube Studio Beta, you'll have to switch back to do this.

To do so, click the icon that looks like a figure exiting a room, located in the bottom left corner of the screen. After that, here's how to add your subtitles or closed captions:

1. Go to your video manager.

2. Select the video you want to edit.

3. In the top toolbar, click "Subtitles/CC."

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Select the Subtitles/CC tab.

4. Choose the language of the subtitles and click "Set Language."

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Set your language.

5. Click "Add New Subtitles or CC," and select the language in the dropdown.

6. Choose "Create New Subtitles or CC."

7. Play the video and pause wherever you want to add a subtitle or closed caption.

8. Type the subtitles or closed captions into the text box to the left of the video and click the blue "+" button.

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Add your subtitles in the text box and then click the blue plus sign.

9. In the section below the video, you can drag the new caption or subtitle to adjust when, and how long, it will appear on the screen.

10. Repeat as necessary, and when finished, click "Publish" or "Save Changes."

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