With 69% of YouTube videos watched on mute, captions are never been more needed than before.
YouTube provides a auto-captioning feature well-know among video creators to the jobs. However, these auto-generated captions can be inaccurate, poorly synchronized, and offer limited customization.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to add, edit, and enhance YouTube captions to maximize engagement and accessibility.
How Good is YouTube’s Auto-Caption Feature?
YouTube is widely used by creators to improve accessibility and reach a broader audience.
While the feature provides a solid foundation for adding captions, on average, auto-captions are about 60-70% accurate, which means nearly one in three words may be incorrect.
This is due to common errors such as misinterpretation of technical terms, unusual names, or complex sentence structures. The AI struggles with fast speech, overlapping voices, and strong accents, often leading to incorrect transcriptions.
Another common issue with YouTube auto-captions is timing. Auto-generated subtitles may not always sync perfectly with the spoken words, resulting in a delayed or rushed reading experience.
YouTube’s auto-captions are automatically generated in the primary language detected in the video. However, if you want to add subtitles in multiple languages, you will need to manually translate and upload the subtitle files. Additionally, auto-generated captions lack customization options for font, size, color, and placement.
YouTube allows creators to edit auto-captions directly in YouTube Studio to correct mistakes and improve timing. But you need external tools to achieve a better job.
How to Add Subtitles with YouTube Auto-Captions
Adding subtitles to your YouTube videos is essential for making them accessible to a wider audience. Since YouTube provides a built-in auto-captioning tool, it is one of the easiest ways to get started with subtitles. However, as previously mentioned, these captions are not always accurate and require manual editing. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use YouTube auto-captions effectively.
Step 1: Access the YouTube Subtitle Interface
Sign in to your YouTube Studio account.
Navigate to the left-hand menu and click on Subtitles.
Select the video for which you want to add captions.
By default, YouTube will have generated automated captions in the detected language.
If auto-captions are unavailable, your video may be too new, too long, or in an unsupported language.
Step 2: Edit Captions for Accuracy
Click on the Edit button next to the automatically generated subtitles.
Review the transcription in the subtitle interface.
Click on Edit Timing to manually adjust the synchronization of captions with the video.
Play the video multiple times to ensure the subtitles align correctly with the spoken words.
Break long sentences into smaller captions to enhance readability and viewer experience.
Step 3: Upload a Subtitle File (Optional)
If you already have a subtitle file, click Import File.
Supported formats include SRT, VTT, and SBV.
The system will automatically sync the subtitles with the video.
Review and make final adjustments if needed.
Step 4: Publish and Optimize
Once the subtitles are correctly edited and synced, click Publish.
Viewers can now turn on subtitles from the video player settings.
If you want to reach an international audience, click Add Language and upload additional translations manually.
Keep in mind that YouTube generate auto-translated captions, so you might need to review them to optimize the translation.
How to Add Captions Manually or Import Subtitle Files on YouTube
If you want full control over your subtitles, YouTube allows you to manually add captions or import subtitle files. This is useful when YouTube’s auto-captions are inaccurate, or if you already have subtitles prepared.
Step 1: Upload a Subtitle File
Go to YouTube Studio and navigate to the Subtitles section.
Select the video you want to add captions to.
Click Add Language and choose the desired language.
Select Upload File and choose between With Timing (pre-synced) or Without Timing (requires manual syncing).
Upload your SRT, VTT, or SBV subtitle file.
Review the subtitles and make adjustments if necessary.
Step 2: Manually Add Captions
If you don’t have a subtitle file, click Add and choose Type Manually.
Play the video and type out the subtitles as the audio plays.
Adjust the timing to match the spoken words.
Split long sentences into smaller captions to improve readability.
Review your captions and ensure they are properly synchronized.
Step 3: Finalize and Publish
Once the captions are correctly added and synced, click Publish.
Viewers can now enable subtitles through the video settings.
If you want subtitles in multiple languages, repeat the process for each language.
How to Generate Quality & Professional YouTube Captions & Subtitles with Checksub
For a more efficient and professional approach, Checksub offers an AI-powered solution for generating high-quality subtitles. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Upload Your Video
Sign in to Checksub and upload your video.
Select the original language for transcription.
Choose additional languages for translation if needed.
Step 2: Generate & Edit Subtitles
Checksub’s AI automatically transcribes your video.
Use the built-in editor to adjust timing, correct errors, and format captions.
Customize font, color, and placement for a polished look.
Step 3: Export & Publish
Choose to download captions in SRT, VTT, or as burned-in subtitles.
Upload your subtitle file to YouTube Studio.
Ensure all captions are properly synced and optimized for visibility.
Want to ensure high-quality, accurate subtitles for your YouTube videos ? Try Checksub for free.
Join 400+ companies translating their videos with Checksub.
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