How to Add Subtitles in Premiere Pro (2025): Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Captions and subtitles are important if you’re looking to create accessible videos. And, if you’re new to Premiere Pro, you might not know how to do that. Subtitles aren’t just a button you can flip. There’s a little bit of manual labor involved and that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about here.

Premiere Pro does have Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), giving it the capability to generate subtitles automatically. But, sometimes, that may not be the best way. 

Here are the various ways to dabble in the art of subtitling with Premiere Pro and some third-party software as well.

Overview of Premiere Pro’s Caption and Subtitle Capabilities

• Auto Speech Recognition (ASR): Generates subtitles automatically.
• Dedicated Workspace: Streamlined editing for captions and subtitles.
• Extensive Customization: Adjust size, font, color, and background.
• Multi-Language Support: Create subtitles in different languages.
• Real-Time Preview: Edit and adjust captions while previewing video.

Although Premiere Pro is a great tool to use, if you are looking for a user-friendly alternative, Sonix’s automated subtitles and captions might be best for you!

How to Automatically Add Subtitles in Premiere Pro

One of Premiere Pro’s best features is, of course, its ability to add subtitles and captions to videos automatically. 

Although the process is automated, there are still a few steps you have to take to complete this process successfully.

Step 1: Navigate to the Captions Workspace

• Open up Adobe Premiere Pro, and then select the project you wish to work on. Once the project is open, hover over “Window” in the top toolbar, click on “Workspaces” and select “Captions and Graphics.” Alternatively, you can also press Alt + Shift + 4.
• This will switch you over to a different workspace specifically focused on subtitling.

Step 2: Generate Automatic Subtitles and Captions

• To start the transcription process, click on the “Text” tab just below the main toolbar and hit the “Transcribe” button.
• Premiere Pro will start transcribing your video. This process should take a couple of minutes, depending on the length of your video.
• Once the transcription panel is open, you can also select the exact audio track that needs to be transcribed and turned into captions or subtitles. Make sure only to choose the audio track that you want to transcribe, especially if there is a video with numerous audio tracks. You only want the desired dialogue or audio being transcribed.

To achieve the best possible results, using audio that does not have background noise, combined with clear annunciation or dialogue, is ideal.

Step 3: Edit and Customize the Subtitles

• Although Adobe Premiere Pro is reasonably accurate, the keyword here is ‘reasonably’. The software uses AI, which can be wrong, especially when the dialogue in question is a bit quiet or muffled. In the screenshot of the transcription of Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up, you can see that there are a bunch of words that the AI cannot pick up. Because of that, it’s still important for you to review the transcript, as there may be some small errors. This text panel will appear as soon as the transcript is generated.
• Be aware that what you have now are not yet subtitles or captions but rather a transcript of the dialogue. Within the text panel, you should see a button that says “Create Captions.” Click on this, and Adobe Premiere Pro will proceed to take the transcript and segment it into individual captions, and use its advanced features to place the captions in the appropriate sections of the video based on video timing and pauses in the speech.
• If the subtitles or captions are not perfectly synced with the spoken words or visual cues in your piece of media, you can adjust the segment length of the captions as well as the timing within the same panel. You can do this by dragging the orange bars below. A good subtitle sync shifter is also an option for this purpose.
• You can now proceed to edit and customize the subtitles in any way you see fit, and this is done using the “Essential Graphics” panel. Click on this panel, and edit the colors, sizes, and styles of the caption or subtitle fonts as desired. 

How to Add Subtitles To a Video in Premiere Pro Manually

If you want full control over your subtitles, manually adding them in Premiere Pro is the best approach. While this method can be time-consuming, it ensures precise synchronization and customization of your captions.

Adding subtitles manually in Adobe Premiere Pro gives you full control over accuracy and styling. Follow these steps to add subtitles to your video:

1. Open Captions Panel: Launch Adobe Premiere Pro and open your video project. Go to Window > Text > Captions to activate the Captions panel.
2. Create a New Subtitle Track: In the Project panel, click on New Item and select Captions. Choose either Open Captions (burned into the video) or Closed Captions (viewers can toggle on/off), then click OK to add the track to your timeline.
3. Add and Edit Subtitle Text: Select the captions track, then type your first subtitle in the Captions panel. Adjust the timing by dragging the subtitle block in the timeline to align with the audio.
4. Customize the Style: Use the Essential Graphics Panel to customize font, size, color, position, and background for your subtitles.
5. Sync Subtitles with Audio: Play the video and make any adjustments to ensure subtitles are properly timed with the spoken dialogue. Adjust the duration of each subtitle by dragging the edges of the caption block in the timeline.
6. Export Video with Subtitles: Go to File > Export > Media. Under the Captions tab, choose either Burn Captions into Video for permanent subtitles or export them as a separate Sidecar File (e.g., .srt) for platforms like YouTube.

This method is ideal for shorter projects where precision and customization are important. For longer videos, consider using automated tools like Sonix to speed up the process.

How to Add SRT Subtitle Files and Other Formats in Premiere Pro

Sometimes, all you want to do is add an already existing subtitle file to your video instead of generating it. If you do, you most likely have an SRT file ready to go.

SRT subtitles are some of the most popular types of subtitles used for video content. These plain text files include the subtitles or dialogue in sequence, along with time codes. 

Let’s see how you can add SRT subtitle files as well as other formats in Adobe Premiere Pro.

Step 1: Prepare Your Subtitle File

• Before you start importing any subtitles into Premiere Pro, make sure that the file is prepared. SRT or SubRip Subtitle files are the most common, but Adobe Premiere Pro happens to support other formats as well, including .STL and .VTT. 
• A pro tip here is to ensure that the subtitle file is accurate in terms of text and timing before you import it into Premiere Pro. It’s something that will help save you a lot of time on editing later on in this process.

Step 2: Import the Subtitle File

• You now need to import the subtitle file into Premiere Pro. At the top of your screen, select the “File” menu and then select the “Import” button. 
• Navigate your device to select the appropriate subtitle file you wish to add. If this isn’t suitable for you, you can drag and drop the subtitle file onto the project panel.

Step 3: Add the Subtitle Track to Your Sequence

• Once the file has been imported into Adobe Premiere Pro, you can then drag the subtitle file directly from the project panel onto the timeline. 
• You now have the ability to position the subtitle file onto the video track exactly where you want the subtitles to be shown. This is how you create a dedicated subtitle track. 
• A pro tip here is to make sure that the video track and the subtitle track are locked together so you don’t have any accidental misalignment issues while editing.

Step 4: Synchronize Subtitles with the Video

• Now is where you’ll have to do a bit of fine-tuning. Some of the text might not exactly match the spoken words. 
• Using the dedicated panel, you can adjust and move around individual clips of subtitles to exactly where they need to be on the timeline. 
• A pro tip on this front is to utilize the audio waveform shown right on the timeline, as this will help you synchronize the speech and subtitles together with great accuracy.

What Are The Best Subtitle Formats for Exporting?

When exporting subtitles, choosing the right format is crucial for ensuring compatibility with different platforms, editing flexibility, and accessibility options. Premiere Pro allows you to export subtitles in multiple formats, but the best choice depends on how and where you plan to use them.

Common Subtitle Issues & Fixes

Even with Premiere Pro’s automated tools, subtitle issues can arise, leading to syncing errors, import failures, or formatting inconsistencies. Below are some of the most common problems and how to resolve them.

1. Subtitles Not Syncing

Subtitle timing issues often occur due to misaligned timestamps in the SRT file, automatic adjustments by Premiere Pro, or silent gaps in the audio affecting synchronization. If subtitles appear too early, too late, or out of order, it’s likely a timing discrepancy between the transcript and the video. Additionally, if the frame rate of the subtitle file doesn’t match the video, the subtitles may drift out of sync over time.

Fixes

• Adjust subtitle timing manually in the Captions Panel by dragging the in and out points to align with spoken dialogue.
• Use Premiere Pro’s Synchronization Feature to automatically match subtitles to waveforms in the audio track.
• Open the SRT file in a text editor and modify timestamps to better reflect actual dialogue timing.
• Ensure the subtitle file’s frame rate matches the video frame rate to prevent gradual drifting.

2. SRT File Not Importing

An SRT file may fail to import due to incorrect formatting, improper character encoding, or compatibility issues with Premiere Pro’s subtitle engine. If the file contains extra spaces, missing line breaks, or timestamps in an unsupported format, Premiere Pro may not recognize it. 

Additionally, if the file is saved with an encoding type other than UTF-8, it may cause errors or unreadable characters.

Fixes

• Open the SRT file in a text editor and confirm it follows the proper structure: numbered entries, correctly formatted timestamps (hh:mm:ss,ms –> hh:mm:ss,ms), and subtitles on separate lines.
• Save the file in UTF-8 encoding by using Notepad++ (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac) and selecting “Save As” with the correct encoding.
• Test the file in a media player like VLC before importing it into Premiere Pro to ensure it’s functional.
• Convert the file using an online SRT formatting tool if necessary.

3. Exported Subtitles Have Formatting Issues

After exporting, subtitles may appear differently than intended due to styling inconsistencies across video players. Some players strip out custom fonts, colors, or positioning, especially when using sidecar subtitle files like SRT. If a subtitle file is not embedded in the video, its appearance may depend entirely on the media player’s default settings.

Fixes

• If maintaining subtitle styling is important, select “Burn Captions into Video” during export to hardcode them into the footage.
• For external subtitles, use SCC or STL files instead of SRT, as they support more advanced formatting.
• Test playback in multiple video players, including VLC and QuickTime, to check how subtitles render in different environments.
• Use a dedicated subtitle editor like Aegisub or Amara to fine-tune the appearance before exporting.

4. Subtitles Not Displaying After Export

Sometimes, subtitles fail to appear in the final exported video, even though they are visible in Premiere Pro during editing. This issue often occurs because the subtitles were set as a sidecar file instead of being burned into the video, or the chosen file format doesn’t support embedded captions. 

Additionally, some media players or platforms may require a specific subtitle format to be recognized properly.

Fixes

• Double-check that the correct subtitle format is selected in the Export Settings panel. For subtitles that must always be visible, choose “Burn Captions into Video.”
• If you want a separate subtitle file, ensure the correct format (SRT, SCC, STL, or VTT) is selected for the platform you’re using.
• If uploading to YouTube, Vimeo, or Facebook, check their supported subtitle formats and manually upload the caption file alongside the video.
• Verify subtitle display by testing the exported video in multiple media players to confirm compatibility.

Adobe Premiere Alternative

Although this is about Adobe Premiere Pro and using it for subtitling purposes, the fact is that you have plenty of options at your disposal, many tools and apps that can perform this task, too. In reality, although Premiere Pro is likely one of the better options out there, it’s not number one and does have a couple of major issues.

First, Premiere Pro, although quite accurate, is not the number one most accurate automatic subtitle generator in the world. When many voices are speaking with heavy accents, fast speech, or background noise, it can have trouble creating accurate transcripts and subtitles. It doesn’t make constant mistakes, but more than we’d like to see.

On that note, Adobe Premiere Pro can also be slightly slow. Even simple files that should only take seconds or a couple of minutes to transcribe and convert into subtitles can take quite some time, often longer than most have patience for. If these two issues, a lack of precision and slow functionality, are deal-breakers for you, we recommend checking out Sonix. 

Looking to try out the best transcription and subtitling tool in the market? Sign up with Sonix and get a 30-minute free trial — no credit card required.

How to Integrate Premiere Pro with Sonix for Subtitle Generation

Luckily, using Sonix to create subtitles and captions for all of your video files is very easy, accurate, and reliable. Follow the steps as listed below to automatically generate subtitles using Sonix.

Step 1: Upload the Video File

• Once you’ve logged into your account, click on the “Upload” button.
• After you’ve clicked on this, you can select the file that you want to create subtitles for from your computer.
• Remember that this software supports a variety of file formats, so compatibility should not be a problem.
• Once you select the file, it’ll be uploaded to the site and ready to be transcribed.

Step 2: Choose the Language and Transcribe the File

• Once the file has been uploaded, you need to select the language that is spoken in the video, as this will determine the language that the subtitles are in.
• If you don’t want to do it manually, there’s an option to auto-detect this as well.
• Then, you can choose from a variety of specific transcription options, and then click on “Transcribe” to begin the process. 
• Sonix will transcribe your video into text format, a written transcription in a couple of minutes.

Step 3: Review and Edit the Transcript

Although Sonix is by far one of the most accurate systems in the world as far as transcriptions and subtitling are concerned, there may be a few minor errors or corrections that you need to make.

• Once the transcription is done, Sonix will generate a transcription quality report that will tell you how good/bad the transcription output is expected to be. This will give you a good idea of how much editing the script requires.
• Use the in-browser editor to closely examine the transcript for any errors that may need to be corrected and correct them as necessary. 
• However, keep in mind that these are not subtitles yet, but rather transcripts. The transcripts still need to be converted into subtitles.

Step 4: Create Subtitles Out of the Transcript

• Once you have the transcript, you can then go to the subtitle menu and click on “Split Transcript”, which will automatically split the transcript into subtitles based on various key factors and requirements.
• Sonix accurately segments transcripts into time-coded captions, making it easy to create subtitles that match the dialogue in your video.

Step 5: Review and Edit the Subtitles

Just like the transcript may not be 100% on point, so is the case with the subtitles. 

• Within the subtitles section of the Sonix platform, click on “Customize Subtitles”. This will allow you to review your subtitles and customize them as needed.
• For instance, synchronization might be off, which means that the written text may not be totally synchronized with the spoken dialogue in the video.
• Within the subtitle customization panel, you can change the timing as needed by dragging the subtitles around to the specific time slot where they are required. 
• Here, you can also change the font, size, and color of the written words displayed on the screen.

Step 6: Burn-in or Otherwise Export

• Sonix allows you to generate subtitles and sync them with your video, ensuring accurate timing and accessibility.
• If you want to export the subtitles, you can also choose from different formats, including both SRT and VTT formats, the two most common subtitle types.
• If you still plan on using Premiere Pro, you can export the subtitles into Premiere Pro and use them within that application. Here’s a guide that shows you how to do this.

Closing Thoughts

Subtitling in Premiere Pro can be a tedious process when done manually, requiring meticulous adjustments to ensure timing, accuracy, and formatting consistency. Traditional methods often involve juggling multiple tools, correcting misaligned captions, and dealing with frustrating import/export errors. This not only slows down workflows but also introduces unnecessary complexity into the post-production process.

With Sonix, the entire subtitling experience is transformed. With the help of AI-powered transcription, Sonix generates highly accurate subtitles in minutes, significantly reducing the time spent on manual corrections. Unlike other services, Sonix provides intuitive tools for fine-tuning subtitles, including timestamp adjustments, speaker identification, and formatting customization. Whether you’re working with multiple speakers, technical terminology, or background noise, Sonix ensures that your subtitles maintain clarity and precision.

Even better, Sonix integrates directly with Premiere Pro, allowing users to seamlessly import professionally formatted subtitle files that sync effortlessly with video content. This eliminates the common frustrations of misaligned captions, formatting inconsistencies, and reformatting headaches. Instead of wasting hours troubleshooting subtitle issues, creators can focus on refining their content, improving accessibility, and delivering polished, professional videos.

For content creators, filmmakers, and businesses looking for efficiency and accuracy, Sonix combined with Premiere Pro is subtitling made smarter. Sign up with Sonix for a 30-minute free trial — no credit card required.

Try Sonix for free today and get 30 minutes of transcription—no credit card required!

How to Add Subtitles in Premiere Pro: Frequently Asked Questions

Can Premiere Pro Automatically Generate Subtitles?

Yes, Adobe Premiere Pro features an Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) tool that generates subtitles by converting spoken dialogue into text. This feature is available in the Captions & Subtitles panel and allows users to create captions without external software. 

However, its accuracy can vary depending on background noise, speaker accents, and audio quality. Users often need to spend time manually correcting errors, adjusting timestamps, and formatting captions. For greater accuracy and efficiency, Sonix automatically generates accurate subtitles from transcriptions, reducing the need for manual corrections.

What Is the Best Subtitle Format for YouTube?

The SRT (SubRip Subtitle) format is the most recommended for YouTube because it supports time-coded text and allows viewers to toggle captions on or off. SRT files ensure proper synchronization with video content while maintaining accessibility across different devices and platforms. 

Additionally, they are easy to edit and compatible with multiple video editing programs. While YouTube also accepts formats like VTT and SBV, SRT remains the most universally recognized and widely supported. Using properly formatted SRT files helps maintain accurate timing and enhances the viewing experience.

How Do I Fix Subtitle Syncing Issues in Premiere Pro?

Subtitle syncing problems in Premiere Pro typically arise from mismatched timestamps, incorrect frame rates, or misaligned audio. If subtitles appear too early or too late, open the Captions Panel and manually adjust the in and out points to match the spoken dialogue. 

If working with an SRT file, open it in a text editor and modify the timestamps to improve alignment. Also, ensure that the subtitle file’s frame rate matches the video frame rate, as discrepancies can cause gradual timing drift throughout the video.