How to add subtitles to YouTube Shorts
There are two ways to add subtitles to a YouTube Short: burn styled captions into the video before you upload (everyone sees them, even with captions off), or upload an .srt subtitle file in YouTube Studio (viewers turn them on). Kool Captions does both, in Hinglish, Hindi and Indian languages.
Updated
Kool Captions at a glance
| Price to start | Free: 2 minutes of transcription with the full editor, no card |
| Free exports | 3 minutes at 720p |
| Paid packs | Optional, from ₹99 for 5 videos; one-time, never renew |
| Languages | Hinglish in Roman letters, English and Indian languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali and more) |
| Caption styles | 100+ word-by-word styles; the Clean, Creator, Viral Red and Editorial styles on the free plan |
| Subtitle files | Free .srt with the SRT generator, no sign-up |
| Works on | Any browser, on a phone or a computer; sign in with Google |
Way 1: burned-in captions (best for Shorts)
- Upload your Short to Kool Captions and pick the language.
- Choose a style and fix any word.
- Export the 9:16 video and upload it to YouTube.
Most Shorts are watched without sound, and burned-in captions show for everyone.
Way 2: an .srt file in YouTube Studio
- Make the .srt free with the SRT generator (no sign-up), or download one from the editor.
- In YouTube Studio, open the Short, go to Subtitles, choose the language and upload file.
- Subtitles out of sync? Fix them with the free SRT timing fixer.
Which should you use?
For Shorts, burn the captions in: they are part of the look and work with sound off. Add an .srt as well if you want YouTube search and auto-translate to read your words.
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Start for FreeQuestions
Do YouTube Shorts support subtitle files?
Yes. You can upload an .srt in YouTube Studio under Subtitles, the same as for a regular video.
Can I add Hinglish subtitles to Shorts?
Yes. Pick Hinglish and the captions are written in Roman letters, the way viewers type, timed word by word.
Is it free?
The SRT generator is free without sign-up. The editor's first 2 minutes of transcription and 3 minutes of exports are free.