Source: https://mindstamp.com/help/how-do-i-create-a-video-with-closed-captions
Generated from the Help Center records: 2026-10-05

# How do I add closed captions or subtitles to a video?

Topic: [Videos and playback](https://mindstamp.com/help/videos) · Updated: 2026-09-25

## Short answer

Open the video, go to **Captions** and select **Add Caption** to upload a VTT or SRT file for a language. You can also create a transcript on the **Transcript** page, and Mindstamp adds an English caption track for you. Viewers turn captions on in the player, and you can set a default track that is on when the video starts.

## Steps

1. Open the video in the editor.
2. In the video menu, select **Captions**.
3. Select **Add Caption**, choose the language, and upload a .vtt or .srt file.
4. Repeat for each language you have.
5. To turn a track on when the video starts, select **Make default** on that track.
6. Select **Preview**, turn on captions in the player, and check that the text matches the speech.

![Add Caption dialog in Mindstamp with the language menu and the VTT or SRT upload](https://cdn.mindstamp.com/website2026/help/captions-add.webp)

_Captions > Add Caption: choose the language, then upload a VTT or SRT file._

## Make captions from a transcript

If you do not have a caption file, go to **Transcript** and select **Create Transcript**. When the transcript is ready, Mindstamp adds an **English** caption track to the video. If you edit and save the transcript, the caption track updates. See [video transcripts](https://mindstamp.com/help/video-transcripts).

## Captions in other languages

Upload your own caption file for each language, or use **Translate** to create translated audio, captions and transcript. See [how to translate a video](https://mindstamp.com/help/translate-an-interactive-video) and [AI dubbing costs](https://mindstamp.com/help/ai-dubbing-cost).

## Caption file tips

- Use VTT or SRT. Other formats are not accepted.
- Save the file as UTF-8 so accented letters and other scripts show correctly.
- Make the caption times match the final cut of the video.
- If you replace the video file, the caption tracks stay. Upload new files if the words or timing changed.

## Captions and accessibility

Captions help viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing and viewers who watch without sound. For other accessibility features, see [accessibility features](https://mindstamp.com/help/accessibility-features).

## Go further

- [Captions tutorial](https://mindstamp.com/tutorials/captions)
- [Video translation](https://mindstamp.com/features/video-translation)

## Related answers

- [How do video transcripts work in Mindstamp?](https://mindstamp.com/help/video-transcripts)
- [How do I translate an interactive video into another language?](https://mindstamp.com/help/translate-an-interactive-video)
- [What accessibility features does Mindstamp offer?](https://mindstamp.com/help/accessibility-features)
- [How do I replace the video file without losing my interactions?](https://mindstamp.com/help/replace-video-file)

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