Burn Subtitles into Video — Hardcode
Upload a video and its subtitles. Get the video with captions on screen.
Hardcode SRT or VTT subtitles into your video so they show on every platform. Upload both files, download one MP4.
Needs two files: a video and subtitles (SRT or VTT).
Free account, no card needed
Add your two files
Drop both at once, or one at a time. We work out which is which.
Hardcode subtitles: burn in, hardsub and subtitle burning
Hardcoding subtitles, burning in subtitles and hardsubbing all mean the same thing: the captions are drawn into the video picture. This online subtitle burner does it from an SRT or VTT file, so you can burn subs into a video without an editor.
How to burn in subtitles
Upload the video and the SRT or VTT, set the text size, position and background, and burn. You download one MP4 with the captions in the picture.
How to hardsub a video
Hardsubbing is burning subtitles by another name: the text becomes part of every frame. Upload the video and the subtitle file here; no FFmpeg, Premiere or desktop app needed.
Burn an SRT into an MP4
SRT and VTT both work, with MP4, MOV, AVI or WebM video. The burned result downloads as an MP4.
Burned-in captions vs. caption tracks
A caption track (closed captions) is a separate file viewers can switch off. Burned-in captions can't be turned off, so use them where players or feeds ignore subtitle files.
Burning subtitles online, free or Pro
The subtitle burner runs in your browser with nothing to install. Free: one job a day, 720p with a small watermark, videos up to 30 minutes. Pro: full resolution, no watermark, up to 2 hours.
How to burn subtitles into a video
4 steps
1. Add both files
A video (MP4, MOV, AVI, WebM) and subtitles (SRT or VTT).
2. Choose the look
Text size, position and background, or turn on Studio styling for presets and approved fonts.
3. Burn
The captions are rendered into the picture.
4. Download the MP4
One file that plays with captions everywhere.
Two ways to style your captions
4 capabilities
Standard
Text size, position and background. For full styling with a rendered preview, use Style Studio.
Subtitle Style Studio
12 tested presets, approved fonts and colours. Approve a real rendered frame before export.
Pre-flight check
Warns if cues run past the end of the video before you start.
Free and Pro
Free exports are 720p with a small watermark, up to 30 minutes. Pro exports full resolution with no watermark, up to 2 hours.
Real example
Real before and after. 1 example
The SRT was hardcoded into the MP4, so the captions show on every player and platform. Both frames are from 0:03. This Pro export kept the source resolution and has no watermark.
Source clip: NASA ScienceCasts, public domain. NASA does not endorse VideoText.
Real output · video + SRT → MP4
nasa-asteroid-sample.mp4 (0:44) nasa-asteroid-captions.srt (12 cues)
nasa-asteroid-sample_video_with_subtitles_burned_in.mp4 854 × 480 · captions in the picture · no watermark (Pro)
Who burns subtitles
Social video, Client deliverables, Translated versions
Social video
Instagram, TikTok and autoplay feeds that ignore subtitle files.
Client deliverables
Open captions that can't be switched off or lost.
Translated versions
Burn each language into its own MP4.
Frequently asked questions
8 questions
What does it mean to burn subtitles into a video?
Burning subtitles (also called hardcoding, or subtitle burning) draws the captions into the picture itself, so they show on every player and can't be turned off.
How do I burn subtitles without Premiere or FFmpeg?
To burn in subtitles online, upload the video and the SRT or VTT here, choose the style and download the MP4.
Can I hardcode an SRT file into an MP4?
Yes. SRT and VTT both work, with MP4, MOV, AVI or WebM video.
Is it free?
Yes, with limits: Free exports are 720p with a small watermark, for videos up to 30 minutes. Pro exports full resolution without a watermark.
Are burned-in subtitles the same as closed captions?
No. Closed captions are a separate caption track or file that viewers can switch off. Burned-in captions (open captions) are part of the video frame and can't be switched off, which is why they suit Instagram, TikTok and players without caption tracks.
Can I change the font, colour or position?
Standard mode sets size, position and background. Subtitle Style Studio adds presets, approved fonts and colours.
I don't have a subtitle file. What should I do?
Generate one from the video in Video to Subtitles, then burn it here.
Which video formats are supported?
MP4, MOV, AVI and WebM, up to 2 GB on Free.
Next steps
- Subtitle Style StudioPresets, approved fonts and rendered approval.
- Compress the videoMake the captioned MP4 smaller to send.
- Translate subtitlesTranslate the SRT or VTT before you burn it in.
- Create subtitles firstSRT and VTT from your video.
Burn your subtitles into the video
Upload both files and download one captioned MP4.
Burn Subtitles Into Video