How to Edit Captions on TikTok Easily and Effectively

Explore our comprehensive guide on how to edit captions on TikTok to optimize engagement with your audience. Equip your toolkit with CapCut for efficient, customized, and accurate subtitles.

how to edit caption on tiktok
CapCut
CapCut07/12/2024
0 min(s)

Editing captions on TikTok can significantly enhance your videos, making them more eye-catching and accessible to a wider audience. Whether you want to add subtitles for clarity, include catchy text to highlight key points, or simply make your videos more visually appealing, learning how to edit captions on TikTok is essential.

This article will take you through straightforward steps to incorporate and refine captions, ensuring your content captures attention and connects with your audience effectively.

Table of content

Editing captions on TikTok: What you need to know

Before exploring how to add captions to TikTok videos, you must understand two different types of captions. The first type refers to the short words or phrases written in the video description. These are typically used to provide context, add hashtags, or make a quick statement about the video.

The second type is in-video captions, also known as subtitles, which are displayed directly on the video. Subtitles help enhance accessibility, clarify spoken content, and emphasize key points.

4 effective ways to add in-video captions on TikTok

TikTok offers different ways to add and edit captions. Here are three effective ways to incorporate in-video captions, ensuring your message is clear and captivating for all audiences.

How to add subtitles on TikTok automatically

TikTok introduced an auto-caption functionality that automatically generates subtitles, which you can then edit to ensure accuracy and save time. Here's how to add subtitles in TikTok automatically:

    Step
  1. Create or upload a video
  2. BBegin by opening the TikTok app on your device. Tap the "+" button to record a new video. You can also upload a video from your device’s gallery.
  3. Step
  4. Generate auto-captions
  5. Look for the "Caption" icon in the side toolbar. Tap on it, and TikTok will automatically generate subtitles for the dialogue in your video. It may take a few moments for the app to process and transcribe the audio.
  6. Step
  7. Review and edit subtitles
  8. After TikTok generates the subtitles, carefully review them for accuracy. You can edit any mistakes by tapping on the text. Adjust the position, size, and style of the subtitles to suit your video’s aesthetic.
  9. Step
  10. Post your video

Once you’re satisfied with the subtitles, tap "Done" to finalize them. Complete any other editing, then tap "Next" to proceed to the posting screen, where you can add a caption, hashtags, and other details before posting your video.


Generating auto captions in TikTok

How to add subtitles on TikTok manually

If you find multiple errors in auto-captions, you can add captions manually. Here's how to add captions on TikTok manually:

    Step
  1. Open TikTok and create a new video
  2. Open Tikok and click the "+" button at the bottom center of the screen. Here, you can either record a new one or upload a video from your device.
  3. Step
  4. Access the editing screen
  5. Once your video is recorded or uploaded, tap the "Next" button to move to the editing screen. This is where you can add various effects, filters, and text to your video to enhance its quality and make it more engaging.
  6. Step
  7. Add text for subtitles
  8. Tap the "Text" button from the menu on the right side. Type the dialogue or captions you want to appear as subtitles. You can adjust the font color and style to match the look and feel of your video. Position the text and duration where you want it to appear on the screen. Ensure that each segment of the caption syncs with the corresponding parts of the video.
  9. Step
  10. Finalize and post your video

After adding all the necessary subtitles, review the video to ensure the text appears at the right moments and is easy to read. After finalizing, select "Next," add hashtags and any other details, then tap "Post" to share your video with manually added subtitles.


Adding captions manually in TikTok

How to add subtitles to TikTok videos with CapCut

CapCut desktop video editor is a popular platform that was initially designed to cater to the needs of TikTok users. It offers a range of features, such as easily adding subtitles, adjusting video settings, and applying various effects to make your videos stand out. Moreover, its intuitive interface and powerful tools make it a favorite among both beginners and experienced editors.


Using the CapCut desktop video editor to accurately generate subtitles in multiple languages

To start adding captions in the CapCut desktop video editor, first download it by clicking the button below. Then, follow the instructions and run the installer. After this, sign up using Facebook, Google, or TikTok accounts.

    Step
  1. Upload video
  2. Open CapCut and select "Create project" to enter the main interface. Now, upload the video by clicking "Import" and dragging and dropping it into the timeline.
  3. 
    Importing the video from the device to CapCut
  4. Step
  5. Add and edit subtitles
  6. Select the "Caption" tab from the left toolbar and click "Add captions." Here, you can upload SRT, LRC, and ASS captions files. After uploading, you can adjust the text font size, color, and other settings to make them more attractive. You can also use the auto caption tool to generate subtitles.
  7. Moreover, recently templates have been introduced that help you appealingly display captions. You can use the text logo maker to generate interesting font templates, which will make your video more attractive.
  8. 
    Adding subtitles to video using the CapCut desktop video editor
  9. Step
  10. Export and share to TikTok

Once the captions are added, adjust the quality, frame rate, resolution, bit rate, and format according to TikTok requirements, and save the video to your device. You can also directly share it on your TikTok platform.


Sharing a video from the CapCut desktop video editor to TikTok

How to edit captions on TikTok after posting

When you need to edit the caption of a video on TikTok without deleting it, the platform offers a convenient method to do so:

    Step
  1. Start by opening the TikTok app and navigating to your profile section.
  2. Step
  3. Choose the video for which you want to edit the caption and tap on the three horizontal dots located in the bottom right corner.
  4. Step
  5. Choose "Edit post" from the options provided.
  6. Step
  7. A screen will appear where you can edit or enter a new caption. Once done, click "Save."

Note: TikTok allows users to edit captions within 7 days of posting, but changes can only be made once every 24 hours.


Editing the caption on TikTok after posting a video

Tips for better captions on TikTok

  • Use short and clear captions to convey your message quickly, ensuring viewers can read them easily without missing any action.
  • Select fonts that are easy to read, even on small screens, and avoid overly decorative styles that can be distracting.
  • Ensure your text stands out by using high-contrast colors between the captions and the background for better visibility.
  • Make sure your captions are well-timed with the audio, so they appear and disappear in sync with the spoken words or relevant sounds.
  • Utilize bold or italic styles to highlight important words or phrases, making your captions more engaging and easier to follow.

Conclusion

Now you know how to add captions using TikTok. Whether you add auto-captions or manually create them, ensure there are no errors and that each dialogue syncs perfectly with the audio. However, if you need to generate captions for videos longer than 10 minutes, the CapCut desktop video editor is the best choice. It allows you to upload subtitle files, generate auto-captions in multiple languages, and more. In short, this editor helps you work on your professional projects without any worries.

FAQs

  1. How to put subtitles on TikTok videos accurately?
  2. To accurately put subtitles on TikTok videos, use the app's "Auto Captions" feature. This tool automatically generates subtitles based on the audio in your video, which you can then review and edit for accuracy before posting. You can also use third-party software like the CapCut desktop video editor to put subtitles in multiple languages.
  3. How to get captions on TikTok videos in-app?
  4. You can add captions on TikTok by tapping the "Text" button on the editing screen. Then select "Auto captions" to generate automatic subtitles, or manually type and customize your captions to enhance the clarity. If you are working on a professional video, give the CapCut desktop video editor a try. It not only generates captions but also offers caption templates to make them visually appealing and seamless with your video content.
  5. Why can't I add subtitles to my TikTok?
  6. If you're unable to add subtitles to your TikTok videos, it could be because the app is outdated or the auto-caption feature is not enabled in the settings. Another reason could be that you're trying to generate captions for long videos, which TikTok may not support effectively. In such cases, we recommend using the CapCut desktop video editor, which can generate captions in a matter of minutes for longer videos.
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