Uploading a Caption File to YouTube

A caption file is basically just a text file. If you already have a transcript or caption file of your video, or want to use a non-speech caption file, you can upload it directly to YouTube.

  1. From the Video Subtitles Page, click the “Add Language” button.
  2. Select “English” or the appropriate language.
  3. Select “Add” under the Subtitles column next to the language you just added:
    A screenshot of the Video Subtitles page with a red arrow pointing at the Add button in the Subtitles column.
  4. For Caption files:
    1. Click “Upload file”
    2. Select "With timing”
    3. Upload your file.
    4. You will be taken to the caption editor where you can review and publish.
  5. For transcripts:
    1. You can select “Upload File and select “Without timing” or
    2. Select “Auto-sync” and paste the text directly. You will then need to review the caption timings.