How to Edit YouTube Captions

Today’s post walks through the process of editing YouTube captions. Captions are a game-changer. They help people who are deaf or hard of hearing, those watching without sound, and even those who just like to read along. Whether you’re fixing auto-generated captions or uploading your own, editing them directly on YouTube is simple and makes your videos way more inclusive.

Video Guide

Get Started in YouTube Studio

First, open your video in YouTube Studio and head to the Subtitles tab. YouTube automatically creates captions, which is a nice start, but they’re not always perfect. Click into the subtitle editor, tweak the text, fix spelling, and adjust timing as needed.

Upload Captions from a Transcription Tool

If you’ve used a tool like Otter AI or Fellow App to transcribe your video, you can easily upload that caption file. Just hit the Options button in the Subtitles tab, choose Upload file, and select the version with or without timing. These captions are often more accurate than YouTube’s automatic ones, so it’s a great way to save time.

Make Quick Fixes Right in YouTube

YouTube’s built-in editor is easy to use. You can jump into any line, change the wording, move the timestamps around, and make sure everything matches the audio. It’s all super straightforward and helps your captions look clean and professional.

Use “Pause While Typing” to Stay in Sync

One of the best features in YouTube’s editor is Pause While Typing. When this is on, the video stops playing as soon as you start typing, and starts again when you pause. It makes editing smooth and keeps you from falling behind.

Add New Captions Wherever You Need

Need to drop in a new caption? No problem. Scroll to the space between caption boxes or to the bottom of the list, click + to add a new line, and type in your text. Just be sure there’s at least half a second between captions so everything stays readable.

Preview and Wrap It Up

Once you’ve made your edits, press play to watch it all back. You can tweak as needed and save your captions when you’re happy. There’s also an option to download the subtitle file for safekeeping or to use elsewhere.

Why It’s Worth the Effort

Taking time to clean up your captions makes a big difference. It helps people connect with your content, makes your videos easier to understand, and shows you care about quality and accessibility. Plus, better captions can boost your reach and searchability, too. It’s a win all around.

Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!