Make every line easy to read.

Caption styling should help people follow a video. Tap Captions's editor gives you a way to review the words against your own footage before you save a finished copy.

Start with contrast

Footage changes from frame to frame. Text that is clear over a dark wall can disappear over a bright window. A solid or shaded text background can keep the words distinct across those changes.

Keep the type simple. A short line in a familiar typeface is often easier to follow than a long sentence in decorative lettering. Preview on an actual phone instead of judging only from a large editing display.

Put captions where they belong

Leave room around faces and any object you are explaining. Keep captions away from the edges, where a platform may place buttons, an account name or a description. Check the video inside the app where you intend to publish it.

There is no single placement that works for every video. A cooking close-up and a seated interview may need different positions. See the caption readability guide for a practical check.

Choose a consistent treatment

Choose white or yellow text, then pair it with a shaded background, a solid background or an outline. Adjust the size and use top, center or bottom placement to suit the footage. The same treatment applies throughout the video, so the viewer can follow the words without a changing style.

The interactive preview on the home page shows how a restrained caption treatment can work with footage. It uses a sample image.

Finish with a viewing check

Watch once with sound, once without, and once at normal phone size. Then review video export before sharing your copy.