Add Subtitles to Video

Burn an SRT or VTT subtitle file into your video. Adjust position, size, color and outline, then export an MP4 locally in your browser without uploading files.

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Your video stays on your device — processed locally in your browser, never uploaded.

Quick Facts About Add Subtitles to Video

Burn an SRT or VTT subtitle file into your video. Adjust position, size, color and outline, then export an MP4 locally in your browser without uploading files.

Inputs: A supported, browser-decodable video plus an SRT or VTT file
Output: MP4 with re-encoded H.264 video
Subtitle type: Burned into the picture; no new selectable subtitle track
Styling: Top, center or bottom; size, color and contrast outline
Timing: Imported cue times; no timing or translation editor
Processing: Local browser processing with no source upload
Practical limits: Basic timed-text import, codec support, available fonts and memory

Burned-In Subtitles vs Soft Subtitles

TakeVid burns imported subtitle text into the video image. The exported captions are visible without loading a separate SRT or VTT file, but viewers cannot turn them off or select another language. Soft subtitles are separate text tracks that a compatible player can switch on and off. This tool does not create those selectable tracks. Both approaches still require the player to support the video's codecs.

Property	Burned-in subtitles	Soft subtitles
Storage	Pixels in the video frames	A separate subtitle track or sidecar file
Visibility	Visible whenever the video plays	Viewer can toggle them in a supported player
Language choice	One rendered version in the picture	Multiple tracks can be offered by a supporting file/player
Editing later	Requires a new video export	Text/timing can be edited without changing image pixels
TakeVid export	Supported with SRT/VTT import	No new selectable track is created

What SRT and VTT Import Keeps

The importer reads the cue start time, end time and plain text from common SRT or WebVTT files. Text is sorted by start time and rendered while the corresponding video frame timestamp falls inside a cue. Inline markup is removed, and WebVTT cue positioning or style instructions are not reproduced. Use the page's own placement, size, color and outline controls for the appearance. If cues overlap, only the first matching cue is shown; prepare a subtitle file without unwanted overlaps before export.

Check Timing and Readability Before Burning Captions

Use a subtitle file that already matches the video's timeline. This page does not transcribe speech, translate dialogue, edit cue text or shift all cue times. For another language, load an already-translated SRT or VTT file. Keep a copy of the original video and subtitle file so you can revise the captions later. The paired images are a static style preview, not proof that every cue is synchronized; after export, review several points in the downloaded video, including the beginning and end.

Why Burning Subtitles Re-encodes the Video

Permanent captions change the visible pixels, so TakeVid decodes frames, draws the active text and encodes a new H.264 video in an MP4 container. This is not a lossless video-copy operation and can change quality or file size. Compatible original audio can be copied by the underlying converter; other audio may need conversion according to browser support. The benefit is a self-contained picture with readable text wherever that exported video is playable, without requiring the viewer to find subtitle settings.

How to Add Subtitles to a Video

Open your video file.
Load an SRT or VTT subtitle file and adjust the position, font size, color and outline.
Burn the subtitles into the video and download the MP4.

Burn SRT Subtitles into Video

Import plain timed text from common SRT and VTT files
Place captions at the top, center or bottom
Adjust font size, color and outline
Automatic line wrapping for the rendered cue
Permanent captions in the picture; no selectable subtitle track is created
Runs locally with WebCodecs — files are not uploaded
Free, with no registration or added watermark

Supported Formats

Supported video files with decodable codecs, plus SRT or WebVTT timed-text files. Advanced cue styling is not reproduced, and only the first active cue is shown when cues overlap. Output is H.264 MP4 with burned-in text; audio may be copied, converted or omitted according to compatibility.

Common Use Cases

Make videos watchable without sound — most social feeds autoplay on mute
Reach viewers in other languages with translated subtitle tracks
Hardcode subtitles for players and TVs that don't load sidecar files
Improve accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences
Make online courses and lectures usable offline, with the text built in
Add captions to interviews and talks for social-media clips
Pair an SRT file with its video into a single self-contained file

Privacy & Browser Processing

This tool runs entirely in your browser using WebCodecs. Your video is decoded, processed and re-encoded on your device — it is never uploaded to a server, and everything is released when you close the tab.

Download Videos with TakeVid

TakeVid is a browser extension that detects supported video and streaming resources on many websites. Save compatible media in your browser, then edit the source clip with these local video tools.

Install TakeVid Extension

Frequently Asked Questions

Which subtitle formats are supported?

Common SRT and WebVTT files are supported as timed plain text. Advanced styling and cue placement are not reproduced. Only the first active cue is shown when cues overlap.

Are the subtitles permanently added to the video?

Yes. Subtitles are burned into the picture during export, so the new MP4 displays them without needing a separate subtitle file.

Can I adjust the subtitle position and style?

Yes. Choose top, center, or bottom placement, then adjust the font size, color, and outline. The preview updates to show the selected style.

Will my original video be uploaded?

Your selected files are processed on your device and are not uploaded to TakeVid. The page and processing modules must load first; available browser codecs and memory still limit what can be processed.

Will adding subtitles affect quality or audio?

The video is re-encoded as H.264, so quality and file size can change. Compatible audio may be copied; other audio may need conversion or be omitted depending on browser support. Check the finished picture and sound.