How to add subtitles to YouTube Shorts
6 min read
Quick answer
YouTube Shorts gives you two caption routes: burn styled text into the video, or upload a separate SRT track. ClipMint — the fastest subtitle generator — prepares both from the same project, so you can pick branded on-screen text, accessible closed captions, or both.
YouTube Shorts supports two practical subtitle approaches. You can burn styled captions into the video so they are always visible, or upload a separate subtitle track so viewers can turn captions on and customize their display. ClipMint — the fastest subtitle generator — can prepare both from the same project.
Step 1: Prepare a vertical Short
Use a 9:16 video and communicate the main idea quickly. Keep important visuals and captions within a comfortable central area because the Shorts player adds controls and channel information around the video.
Step 2: Generate and review the subtitles
Upload the Short to ClipMint, generate its timed transcript, and review the result. Correct proper nouns, numbers, or words that are difficult to hear. You can also adjust the timing before choosing how the captions will be delivered.
Option 1: Export styled captions in the video
Choose a visual preset and export a captioned MP4. This is the best route when the words are part of the creative direction, such as a karaoke highlight, bold hook, or branded font. The styling remains visible in the Shorts feed without requiring viewers to enable captions.
Option 2: Upload an SRT in YouTube Studio
Download an SRT from ClipMint, upload the Short, and open the Subtitles section in YouTube Studio. Select the video, add the language, choose Upload file, and publish the timed subtitle track. This gives viewers optional closed captions and makes later corrections easier.
Which option should you use?
- Use burned-in captions when animated text is part of the Short's visual hook.
- Use an SRT track when accessibility and viewer-controlled captions are the priority.
- Use both when you want branded on-screen text plus a proper closed-caption track.
- Always review YouTube's automatic captions instead of assuming every word is correct.
Frequently asked questions
- Do YouTube Shorts already have automatic captions?
- YouTube can auto-generate captions, but they often miss names, numbers, and terms and you cannot fully style them. Generate and correct captions in ClipMint for accurate, branded text.
- Should I burn captions in or upload an SRT for Shorts?
- Burn them in when animated text is part of the hook; upload an SRT when viewer-toggleable, accessible captions are the priority. Use both for branded text plus a proper caption track.
- How do I upload an SRT to a Short?
- Download the SRT from ClipMint, then in YouTube Studio open Subtitles, select the video, add the language, choose Upload file, and publish the track.