How to add subtitles to a YouTube video
There are two ways: upload a subtitle file that viewers can switch on, or upload a video that already has subtitles on screen. Many creators do both for Shorts and long videos.
Option 1: upload an SRT file
Best for long videos. Viewers can turn subtitles on or off, you can add several languages, and YouTube can read the text, which can help people find your video.
- Open YouTube Studio and choose Subtitles in the left menu.
- Select your video and click Add language, for example English.
- Under subtitles, choose Add, then Upload file, then With timing.
- Pick your SRT file, check the preview, and click Publish.
YouTube's menu names can change slightly over time, but the Subtitles section in Studio is where this lives.
Option 2: post a video with subtitles on it
Best for Shorts, TikTok, Reels and WhatsApp, where many people watch without sound and subtitle files aren't always supported. The subtitles are part of the picture, so they always show.
Which should you use?
- Long YouTube videos: SRT file, one per language.
- Shorts and social clips: subtitles on the video.
- Both audiences: Subtitle Converter saves the subtitled video and the SRT file together, so you don't have to choose.
Your video is in Urdu? See how to make English subtitles for it.