Easily Add Subtitles to Videos in iMovie (Mac & iOS)

Subtitles can make it easier for audiences to understand content, and without sound, they can enhance the viewing experience of the video especially in a noisy environment, or for people with hearing impairments. iMovie (Mac, iOS) is another popular option for video editing, and allows for easy and reliable captioning. Wondering how to add subtitles on iMovie? This step-by-step guide will show you how to easily integrate subtitles into your videos on both Mac and iOS devices.

Part 1: Why Add Subtitles in iMovie?

Subtitles are vital in making a video accessible and fun! They allow individuals with hearing challenges to understand the material, and make viewers who don't speak the language able to stay with the action. Subtitles also increase the engagement of the viewer. If you're editing a video on iMovie, it's important to understand how to add a subtitle in iMovie to ensure your audience gets the most out of your content. It gives subtitles a worthy status in terms of content creation.

Part 2: How to Add Subtitles in iMovie (Step-by-Step)

One of the most common questions from iMovie users is how to add a subtitle in iMovie. Fortunately, iMovie offers two efficient methods to include subtitles, depending on your project needs. Both methods of adding subtitles to iMovie can be done in these 2 steps, both of which we will show you below.

Method 1: Manually Adding Subtitles in iMovie

If you want to add subtitles manually, iMovie will let you adjust the text, timing, and look. This solution is ideal for smaller projects or certain pieces of text. By following this guide, you’ll learn how to add a subtitle in iMovie, making it easier to reach a wider audience by improving your video's accessibility and SEO performance.

Step 1: Open iMovie and Import Your Video

Launch iMovie on your Mac or iOS device. If you are going new project click "Create New". Next, import the video file you’d like to subtitle. You can either drag and drop the video clip to the project timeline, or choose “Import Media” from the File menu..

Step 2: Select the Titles Option from the Toolbar

After your video is in the timeline, you’ll need to create subtitles with iMovie’s “Titles” feature. Hit the “Titles” button in the toolbar. This is going to show a variety of text styles that you can use for your subtitles.

Step 3: Choose a Subtitle Style and Place It on the Timeline

iMovie has a few different subtitle styles, like “Lower Third,” “Standard,” or “Scrolling.” Select the one that will best fit your video. Drag the chosen title style to your timeline, placing it wherever you would like the subtitle to appear in the video.

Step 4: Type Your Subtitles and Adjust Font, Size, and Position

In the subtitles text box, enter the subtitles you want. You adjust font, size, text, and color. And you can also change its position on the screen to make it fit better in the video.

Step 5: Repeat for Each Subtitle Segment Throughout the Video

Repeat these steps for every section where subtitling is required. Trim the timing by stretching or shrinking the title box on the timeline. With that done, every subtitle will be displayed at the right time in the video.

Step 6: Export Your Video with Embedded Subtitles

Export your video after adding all the necessary subtitles. In iMovie, select File > Share, and then select whatever format of export you desire. Those captions will be embedded into the final exported video file.

Method 2: Using External Subtitle Files (SRT, ASS, SSA)

Another option for learning how to add subtitles to iMovie is by using external subtitle files like SRT, which you can convert and import directly into iMovie to save time. This method is faster, especially for longer videos or pre-made subtitles. Follow the steps below to get started.

Step 1: Use a Third-Party Tool to Create an SRT File

If you already have a separate subtitle file, e.g. SRT file, you can import it directly into iMovie. If you want to create an SRT file, you can do this through third-party software such as Aegisub or Subtitle Edit where you can write the dialogue of your video and generate an SRT file.

Step 2: Convert the SRT File to an iMovie-Friendly Format

Discover how to add a subtitle in iMovie even faster by converting your SRT file to an iMovie-compatible format for seamless integration. That said, you'll need to convert your subtitle file into a format iMovie can read, like a timed text file. SRT file can be converted into a supported format (e.g., a_xml file using free online conversion tools.

Step 3: Import and Sync Subtitles Manually in iMovie

Once the file has been changed, import it again into iMovie. Drag the text boxes in line with the video in the timeline and then manually match the subtitles with the sections of the video. Needless to say, the process takes time, but it does help you ensure your subtitles are synced correctly to the content of the video.

Part 3: 3 Best Alternatives to iMovie for Adding Subtitles

While iMovie is a great tool, there are alternatives that may offer more flexibility and features when it comes to adding subtitles in iMovie.

HitPaw Univd – A Faster Way to Add Subtitles

HitPaw Univd is an easy-to-use video converter that allows you to add subtitles effortlessly and quickly. This helps batch import subtitles, syncs subtitles to your video automatically, and supports multiple subtitle types like SRT, ASS and SSA. By providing you with a drag-and-drop style interface, Subtitle Horse is one of the fastest ways to speed up your video editing process with the ability to add subtitles quickly and efficiently.

Features:

• Batch Subtitle Importing: Import many subtitle files in batches, ideal for large projects that have many subtitle segments.
• Auto Syncing: HitPaw Univd automatically syncs your subtitles with your video, which reduces the video manual alignment.
• Multiple Subtitle Formats Supported: It supports multiple subtitle formats and allows you to work with the format that you are most comfortable with when it comes to subtitle files, such as SRT, ASS and SSA.
• Easy-to-Use Interface: Because it comes with a drag-and-drop feature, HitPaw Univd is easy to use, and you can just drag your subtitle and video files into the software.

Other Alternatives:

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is a professional-level video editor that has built-in automatic speech-to-text captioning plus extensive subtitle customization options. Great for high-quality projects but may be difficult for people starting out due to its learning curve and subscription cost.

Kapwing

Kapwing an online video editor that offers a simple way to add subtitles. It supports multiple formats and provides basic editing tools. Though there are limitations to the free version, it's perfect for newcomers looking for a quick subtitle solution.

Part 4: FAQs About Adding Subtitles in iMovie

Conclusion

Now that you know how to add subtitles in iMovie, you can make your videos more accessible, engaging, and easier to understand for a wider audience. iMovie offers a simple interface that allows you to create manual subtitles, giving you control over both the text and timing customization. But adding subtitles with HitPaw Univd is faster and easier, greatly simplifying the process.