How to Add Captions in CapCut (Plus Fixing Wrong Hindi Words)

Learning how to add captions in CapCut takes about two minutes. The harder part is fixing what the AI gets wrong, especially Hindi and Hinglish words. This guide covers the steps on mobile, desktop and web, then shows you how to clean up the mistakes.

Before you start: CapCut and India

CapCut has been unavailable in India since 2020, when the government blocked a large group of Chinese-owned apps. Indian Play Store and App Store listings do not carry it.

So the steps below are for creators in countries where CapCut is available. If you are in India, use a tool that is legally available here. We cover options for Indian languages later in this guide.

What are auto captions in CapCut?

Auto captions are text lines that the app writes from your video’s speech, timed to when each line is spoken. CapCut processes the audio in the cloud, so you need a stable internet connection while it works.

You can also type captions by hand, or import a ready subtitle file on some versions. Auto is fastest, but manual typing gives you full control on short clips.

How to add captions in CapCut on mobile

These steps follow CapCut’s own help page on recognising subtitles. Menus can differ slightly between app versions, so update the app first.

1. Start a new project. Tap New project and add your video from the gallery.
2. Tap Captions. You will find it in the bottom menu once the clip is on the timeline.
3. Choose Auto Captions. Confirm the spoken language, pick a template if offered, then tap Generate.
4. Fix the text. Tap any caption box to edit the words, timing or look.
5. Export. Tap Export at the top right and save the video to your phone.

How do I add captions in CapCut on desktop?

The Windows and Mac app keeps the caption tools in the left toolbar.

1. Import your clip. Bring the video into the project and place it on the timeline.
2. Click Captions. It is the speech-bubble icon near the top of the left toolbar.
3. Click Auto Captions. Select the audio source and the spoken language.
4. Click Generate. Wait for the lines to appear on a caption track.
5. Edit on the timeline. Change text, drag edges to fix timing and set the style in the right panel.

CapCut says some extras, such as speaker detection or batch SRT export, may only appear on desktop or web. They also depend on your region and app version.

Adding captions in CapCut online

1. Open the web editor. Upload a video or open an existing project.
2. Click Captions in the left panel. Then select Auto Captions.
3. Pick the language and generate. Wait while the audio is processed.
4. Edit and export. Fix the text, adjust style, then export from the top right.

CapCut recommends Chrome or Edge for the web editor. If generation fails, refresh the page and try again.

How to fix wrong Hindi words in auto captions

Most auto caption tools struggle with Indian speech. People switch between Hindi and English inside one sentence, use regional words and pronounce English names in their own way. So expect errors, and plan time to fix them.

Common Hindi and Hinglish errors

A quick cleanup routine

1. Pick one script first. Decide on Devanagari Hindi or Hinglish in English letters before you edit anything.
2. Play at normal speed. Pause at every line that looks odd and fix it on the spot.
3. Fix names last. Brand names, people and places repeat, so fix them in one pass.
4. Split long lines. Keep each caption to a few words so viewers can read it on a phone.
5. Watch muted. Check that the video still makes sense with the sound off.

How do I style captions so they are readable?

• Use a bold sans-serif font. Thin fonts vanish on small screens.
• Add contrast. White text with a dark outline or box works on most footage.
• Apply styles to all lines. Use the apply-to-all option so every caption matches.
• Keep the bottom clear. App buttons and the post caption cover the lowest part of a Reel or Short.
• Highlight one word. A different colour on the key word helps viewers follow.

Troubleshooting: CapCut auto captions not working

CapCut’s auto captions troubleshooting page lists a few causes. Here they are with practical fixes.

• No captions at all. The clip may be muted or very quiet. Check the clip volume and the audio track.
• Nonsense text. The wrong language is selected. Set the spoken language and generate again.
• Stuck while generating. Your connection dropped. Switch to stable Wi-Fi and retry.
• Option missing. Your app may be old. Update it from the official app store.
• Captions out of sync after editing. You cut the video after captioning. Finish the edit first, then caption.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Captioning before the final cut, which shifts timing.
• Mixing Devanagari and English letters in the same video.
• Leaving captions at the default size, which is often small for Reels.
• Skipping the proofread because the AI “looks right” at a glance.
• Placing text over faces or products.

For a broader overview of methods on every device, see our guide on how to add subtitles to a video. If you need a separate subtitle file, our explainer on what an SRT file is shows the format with a sample.

A CapCut alternative for Hindi and Indian languages

If CapCut is not an option where you live, or your Hindi captions keep coming out wrong, a CapCut alternative built for Indian speech can save time. GetNixa is one such option, available as a web app and as desktop apps for Mac and Windows.

You upload a video, pick the spoken language from 30, including Hindi, Hinglish, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi and Punjabi, and the AI writes captions timed to the voice. Hindi can come out in Devanagari or as Hinglish in English letters, which helps with mixed speech.

Then you click any word to fix it, pick a template and export an MP4 for Reels, Shorts or WhatsApp. There is no watermark on any plan, and every plan includes SRT export. You can try the Hindi caption generator or the general auto caption generator.

Which should you use?

• Use CapCut if it is available in your country, you already edit there and your speech is mostly in one language.
• Use an Indian-language caption tool if you are in India, speak Hinglish or a regional language, or need Devanagari output.
• Type captions by hand if the clip is very short or the audio is too noisy for any AI.

Final thoughts

Adding captions takes a few taps. Making them correct takes a careful review, and that matters more than the style you pick. Lock your edit, set the right language and proofread every line before you post.

Frequently asked questions