Ever scrolled through TikTok with your sound off? You are not alone. Studies show that over 74% of users watch videos without sound, and that is why captions have become one of the most important tools for creators trying to grow on the platform. 

If you want your TikTok videos to reach more people, get higher engagement, and stay inclusive, captions are quite essential. So, if you wondered how to add captions to a TikTok video, or how to turn on subtitles or edit auto captions, you know that it is not always obvious and quick. This guide will show you everything you need to know about how to put captions on TikTok, turn on auto captions, or add subtitles to TikTok videos using innovative tools like AI Video Cut.

Why Add Captions to TikToks?

Captions (also called subtitles or CC) help:

• Comfortably watch videos without sound, especially when a viewer is in public places or at work.
• Understand what people are saying better, especially when there is background noise.
• Keep people watching your video, and it will benefit performance in TikTok’s algorithm.
• Make it easier for everyone to enjoy the content, especially those who are experiencing hearing loss.

Add some captions to your TikTok videos, and you will see a serious improvement in your content strategy.

Option 1: Use TikTok’s Built-In Auto Captions

If you are looking for a quick way to turn on captions on TikTok, the app has a built-in feature.

How to Get Subtitles on TikTok Automatically:

1. Record or upload your video on TikTok.
2. Tap the "Captions" button on the editing screen before posting. TikTok will automatically generate captions from your spoken audio.
3. Preview and edit subtitles before publishing.

This is the simplest way to add captions to TikTok videos if you do not need any additional apps. However, remember that TikTok auto captions can sometimes misinterpret fast speech or accents. There is also not much styling or formatting available, and you can't edit them in post after the video is published. Want more control over your captions? Keep reading.

Option 2: Use AI Video Cut for Captions + Transcript

If you are looking for a smarter, faster, and more scalable way to create short-form content that performs well across platforms (including TikTok), then AI Video Cut is a tool made for you.

AI Video Cut is not just a captioning tool. It is an AI-powered video repurposing platform designed for creators, marketers, and educators who want to turn long videos into short clips that perform well on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels. Automatic caption adding is included!

Here is how it works:

1. Paste a link or upload a long-form video, podcast, webinar, or vlog.
2. Choose output type, clip length, aspect ratio, and captions style.
3. Wait for the tool to cut the video into small, shareable clips automatically.

AI Video Cut will transcribe and add captions to every clip in no time. But that is not all! It also has a built-in editor to fine-tune your captions afterwards. With the new AI Video Cut Editor, you can go through the transcript or captions and fix any errors, as well as cut out any bits that are a bit awkward or just not needed. It is also possible to change the caption style to match your TikTok vibe. You can also switch captions on or off, depending on the platform you are using. Once you are happy with the edits, just export and publish! 

The tool is ideal for anyone who wants to stay ahead in content creation and maximize the potential of every video.

Option 3: Add Captions Manually with CapCut

If you want to have maximum control over how your captions look on TikTok (font, size, colour, position, and timing), using a transcription tool to generate a subtitle file (SRT, ASS, LRC) and adding it into a CapCut project is a great option. CapCut is a perfect (and free!) video editing tool for anyone who wants to stay consistent with content creation and get more value out of every piece of video content.

For automatic subtitle file generation, you can use tools such as HappyScribe, TurboScribe, or Transcribe. These tools will transcribe your video and enable you to export the subtitles in a CapCut-compatible format. AI Video Cut also gives you a transcript of your video after repurposing, so you can copy it instead of manually typing the text.

After uploading your file, you will be able to move subtitles directly onto the video timeline. From here, you can manually style your captions, namely edit the font, change the colour, add animation, and set the perfect timings.

There is also an option to add auto captions directly in the CapCut app by clicking “Auto Captions”. However, for users without a Pro plan, only 2 generations are available per month. Paid subscription also allows you to add bilingual captions and identify filler words. Alternatively, there is always a possibility to type the captions yourself. 

Although the CapCut editing option gives you complete control over style, placement, and timing, it can be time-consuming, especially for longer videos or repurposed content.

People Also Ask

How to turn on captions TikTok already has

Open the TikTok app and go to your profile. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner to open the menu, then select “Settings and privacy”. Find “Accessibility” and toggle captions on.

Why Don’t I Have Captions on TikTok

If they are turned on in your settings, the reason is that TikTok does not support universal caption toggles for all videos. If the creator used TikTok’s built-in captions, they should appear automatically. If not, they are either switched off or not included.

How to edit captions on TikTok after posting

Unfortunately, you can’t do that. To fix the captions, you have to re-upload the video. To avoid such situations, use a tool like AI Video Cut to get it right before posting.

The most important thing – do not skip the captions! Adding captions to your TikToks can really boost your engagement, reach and accessibility. You can add subtitles to your TikTok videos using AI, or edit them manually if you prefer.

AI Video Cut is a tool that gives you an edge by combining captioning, editing, and smart content repurposing all in one place, so you can work less and post more.