To add text to a video, type your words into an editor's text or title tool, place them on the frame, choose when they appear, and export. The free MobileStudio Add Text to Video tool does it in any browser: write up to 120 characters, pick top, center, or bottom, set the size, color, and timing, and download an MP4 with the text burned in and the sound kept.
The short answer
| You're on | Free way to add text |
|---|---|
| Any browser | Add Text to Video |
| iPhone or iPad | iMovie > Titles |
| Android | Your gallery's video editor, or the browser tool |
| Mac | iMovie > Titles |
| Windows | Clipchamp > Text |
| TikTok or Instagram | The app's Aa text tool |
What's the difference between text, titles, and captions?
Text overlays and titles are words you write: a headline, a label, a call to action. Captions are the spoken words written out, timed to the speech, mainly for people watching without sound. This guide covers overlays and titles. For captions, see our guide to video captions.
How do I add text to a video in my browser?
- Open Add Text to Video.
- Drop in the video.
- Type your text (up to 120 characters).
- Choose Top, Center, or Bottom, then set the Text size and Text color. Turn Background on for a dark box behind the text, which keeps it readable on busy footage.
- Set Show text from to the start and end times.
- Click Add text & export and download the MP4.
The text is drawn into every frame, so it shows in every app and player. Need a second line at a different time? Run the exported video through the tool again with the new text.
How do I add text to a video on iPhone?
Use Apple's free iMovie: open a project, tap the clip, tap Titles (the T icon), and choose a style, then type your text. Apple's iMovie titles guide shows the steps. Full walkthrough: how to add text to a video on iPhone.
How do I add text to a video on a computer?
- Mac: in iMovie, choose Titles above the browser and drag a style onto the clip, per Apple's iMovie titles guide. See add text on Mac.
- Windows: in Clipchamp, open the Text tab and drag a text style onto the timeline above your video, as Microsoft's Clipchamp guide covers. See add text on Windows.
How do I make text readable on a video?
| Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Use a background box or shadow | Text stays readable over any footage |
| Keep it to one or two short lines | People read while the video moves |
| Show each line for at least 2 to 3 seconds | Time to read it |
| Keep away from the edges | Apps put buttons and captions there |
| White or yellow on dark footage | Highest contrast |
For sizes, see best font size for video text.
Does adding text reduce video quality?
The video is re-encoded once with the text drawn in, at high quality, so there's no visible loss. Keep the original if you might want a version without text later.
Where MobileStudio fits
Add Text to Video is one of our free tools. MobileStudio itself turns screen recordings into polished app demos with device frames and zooms. Get MobileStudio.
Quick FAQ
How do I put words on a video for free?
Use Add Text to Video in your browser, iMovie, or Clipchamp.
Can I add text to only part of a video?
Yes. Set the start and end times for the text.
Does the text show on every app?
Yes. It's burned into the frames.
Can I add more than one text?
Run the exported video through the tool again with the next text, or use iMovie or Clipchamp.
Does adding text keep the sound?
Yes. The original audio is kept exactly as it was.
