How to Add Subtitles Easily in OpenShot

OpenShot doesn’t have a built-in subtitle tool. There’s no quick way to add captions, import .srt files, or create soft subtitles.

So how do you make it work?

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to add subtitles in OpenShot — step by step.

Does OpenShot Have a Built-In Subtitling Feature?

If you’re opening OpenShot expecting a dedicated subtitle tool, you might be surprised.

OpenShot doesn’t have a built-in feature for importing or managing subtitle files like .srt or .vtt. That means you can’t just drag and drop a subtitle track and have it sync automatically.

But don’t worry — you can still add subtitles manually using OpenShot’s Title Editor.

This tool was designed to create static text overlays for things like intros, titles, and labels. But with a little patience, it works just fine for adding subtitles line by line.

You just need to place each subtitle as a separate title element on the timeline.

How to Add Subtitles Manually in OpenShot

If you're okay with a bit of hands-on work, OpenShot lets you add subtitles manually — right inside the editor.

Step 1: Create a Title Clip for Each Subtitle Line

OpenShot uses its Title Editor to create text elements. These work like mini slides you overlay on top of your video.

Here’s how:

• Click the Title menu at the top
• Choose Title... to open the editor
• Pick a template (start with “Simple” or “Centered”)
• Type in your subtitle line — keep it short and clear
• Give it a name so you can organize your clips
• Click Save

Now repeat for every new line of dialogue. It’s a good idea to name your titles with numbers or timestamps so you can find them easily.

Step 2: Add the Titles to the Timeline

Drag each title clip into a new track above your video.

Position it where the subtitle should start. Then stretch or trim the clip to match how long the sentence is spoken.

This part takes a bit of trial and error. Play back your video and adjust the timing until it feels natural.

Tip: Use zoom in on the timeline to fine-tune subtitle timing.

Step 3: Style Your Subtitles

Want your subtitles to be easy to read?

Here’s what you can tweak in the Title Editor:

• Font: Choose something clear like Arial or Roboto
• Size: Big enough to be readable, not too large to distract
• Color: White or yellow with a dark shadow works well
• Position: Move the text to the bottom-center of the frame

You can also duplicate an existing title and just change the text. This saves time and keeps your styles consistent.

Step 4: Test and Adjust

Once all your subtitle clips are in place, play the video from start to finish.

Watch out for:

• Timing mismatches
• Lines that stay too long or disappear too quickly
• Overlapping titles

Fix any issues by dragging, trimming, or editing the titles as needed.

Can You Import Subtitle Files into OpenShot ?

If you've already created subtitles as a separate file — like an .SRT or .VTT — you're probably wondering how to load that into OpenShot.

Here’s the short answer: OpenShot doesn’t support direct subtitle file imports.

You can’t drag in a subtitle file and expect it to sync automatically. There’s no built-in feature to read .SRT timecodes or match them to your video.

How to Add Subtitles Automatically to OpenShot Videos

Typing out every subtitle manually in OpenShot can take a lot of time. Especially if your video is long, or you need it translated into multiple languages.

That’s where Checksub comes in.

Step 1: Generate Subtitles

Head over to checksub.com and log into your account.

Click “Upload Video” and select your file — whether it's MP4, MKV, or any major format. You don’t need to convert it beforehand.

Then choose the original language of your video. Want subtitles in other languages too? Checksub supports over 267 translations with just a click.

Once your video is uploaded, Checksub’s AI goes to work.

It will:

• Transcribe your video with high accuracy
• Time each subtitle line to match the audio
• Break the text into short, readable captions

In just a few minutes, you’ll have a complete subtitle track — without typing a thing.

Step 2: Edit and Style Your Subtitles

Inside the Checksub editor, you can make quick edits if needed:

• Fix any small transcription errors
• Adjust timing or line breaks
• Add speaker names or sound cues

You also get full visual control. Change the font, size, position, background, and even add animations to match your brand or video style.

Step 3: Export Your Subtitled Video for OpenShot

Once you’re happy with the subtitles, export your video with one of these options:

• Burned-in subtitles: Download the video with hardcoded captions, ready to import directly into OpenShot
• SRT/VTT file: Use these if you plan to hardcode the subtitles yourself before editing in OpenShot

Just drag the subtitled video into OpenShot like any other clip. No extra work. No manual syncing.

You want to generate subtitles automatically ? Try Checksub for free.