How to Add Captions to TikTok Videos (With Pro Tips To Go Viral)

One of the best and most overlooked growth hacks on social media is to add a caption to TikTok videos. If you want more followers, better engagement, and longer watch time, start by making your videos easier to understand without sound.

Most users also scroll through TikTok on mute. If your message is only delivered through audio, you are losing views. Adding captions can fix that.

They also help your videos perform better in TikTok’s algorithm by making your content easier to understand and search.

In this guide, you will learn how to add captions on TikTok videos using both automatic and manual methods.

Why Add Captions on TikTok Videos

Adding captions helps your TikTok videos perform better in multiple ways:

• Higher Watch Time – Viewers stay longer when they can follow the content without sound.

• Accessibility – Captions make your videos usable for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.

• Better Clarity – They improve understanding when the audio is unclear or fast.

• Silent Viewing – Most people scroll on mute; captions keep your message visible.

• Improved Reach – On-screen text can boost discoverability and SEO within TikTok.

Adding captions is a simple change, but it has a direct impact on how your content performs. Captions are one of the easiest tools to get more followers, better retention, and wider reach.

1. How to Add Captions Using TikTok’s Auto-Captions Tool

TikTok offers a built-in auto-captions feature that lets you generate subtitles directly from your video’s audio. This is the fastest and easiest method to add captions.

Method 1: Use TikTok’s Auto Captions Feature

Step 1: Open TikTok and tap the “+” icon to record a new video or upload an existing one. Once your video is ready, tap “Next” to move to the editing screen.

Step 2: On the right side of the screen, tap the “Captions” icon. If you do not see it, tap the downward arrow to expand the toolbar.

TikTok will automatically process the audio and generate captions. This may take a few seconds.

Step 3: Once generated, review the captions for accuracy. You can tap on each line to edit the text.

(Note that TikTok does not allow manual adjustment of caption timing in this method.)

Step 4: Once you are satisfied, tap “Save” to apply the captions to your video. Tap “Next” and publish your captioned video.

This method is ideal for quick edits, voiceovers, or videos with clear speech.

Your TikToks Are Losing Views on Mute

Most users scroll with sound off, so your voice alone won’t carry the message. Add captions to boost clarity, retention, and reach without changing your content.

Create Smarter Videos Now

2. How to Manually Add Captions Using TikTok’s Text Tool

If you want more control over your captions, such as custom wording, timing, and placement, you can manually add them using TikTok’s built-in text tool.

This method is useful when your audio is unclear, you are adding jokes or speech, or TikTok’s auto-captions are not accurate enough.

Method 2: Add Captions Manually with Text

Step 1: Record or upload your video in the TikTok app and tap “Next” to enter the editing screen.

Step 2: Tap the “Text” icon at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3: Type your caption text. You can customize the font, color, and alignment based on your video style. Once the text appears on your video, tap it and choose “Set duration.”

Step 4: Use the timeline to adjust when the caption appears and disappears. This allows you to sync it with your speech or visual cues.

Repeat the process to add more lines throughout the video. Each caption can have a different start and end time.

After all text is placed and timed, tap “Next” and publish your video. This method takes more time but gives you full creative and editorial control over your captions.

Best Caption Fonts, Colors & Styles For TikTok Reels

Choosing the right font, color, and style for your captions will help you create Stop scrolling content for your TikTok. It helps to grab attention and match the tone of your content.

Here’s how to style your captions for better engagement:

1. Use Bold, Easy-to-Read Fonts

TikTok’s default font selection is limited, but the most effective ones are the clean, bold options that don’t distract from the video.

Best fonts to use on TikTok:

1. Classic– Simple, bold, and easy to read even on small screens.

2. Typewriter – Gives a casual, vlog-style vibe.

3. Handwriting – Works well for emotional or diary-style videos.

4. Serif – Looks more formal or poetic, great for storytelling.

If you're editing captions outside TikTok, go for custom fonts like Montserrat, Poppins, Anton, or Comic Neue depending on the theme.

2. Stick With High-Contrast Colors

Your captions need to stand out against your video background. Using colors that clash or blend into the scene will ruin readability.

Most-used color combos:

1. White text with black outline – the gold standard. It works on almost any background.
2. Yellow text with black outline – eye catching, commonly used for meme content.
3. Black text with white outline – clean and modern, great for darker videos.

Want to add some personality? Use your brand’s colors, but test them against different backgrounds to make sure they still pop.

3. Use Emphasis to Guide Attention

If everything is emphasized, nothing stands out. So use bolding, caps, or color changes only when you need to draw attention to a specific word or phrase. Try using:

• ALL CAPS for big reactions or punchlines
• Bold for action words: run, scream, hit
• Color switches to show emotion or tone shifts(optional)

Captions are a design element that hooks viewers and supports your story. If you're posting regularly on TikTok, developing a consistent caption style also helps build recognition and a professional feel.

When and Why to Use TikTok Captions Strategically

Captions are a powerful tool that can be used to shape how your content is consumed. Knowing when and why to use them can help you get better results from each video.

Use captions in tutorials and explainer videos to make instructions clear. They also work well in storytelling, helping guide the viewer through key moments or dialogue.

If your content targets a global audience, captions can help non-native speakers understand your message more easily. In fast-paced videos, captions can clarify punchlines or help emphasize a joke or emotional moment.

You can also use captions for creative expression. Timed text can be used as part of the comedy, storytelling, or visual style itself, turning a basic video into something more engaging and memorable.

Captions Boost Clarity. Animation Builds Watch Time.

AutoDraft lets you turn your ideas into fully animated TikToks with custom characters, scenes, and voice. It is perfect for storytelling, reactions, and trending videos.

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Captions Are Not the Only Way to Grow on TikTok

Captions are useful. But if you want to grow faster, grab more attention, and stand out from the endless scroll, then animation is your next move. IMG

AutoDraft AI is an online animation tool that lets anyone create professional-looking cartoon videos without needing design skills or editing software.

You simply type your idea, and the platform turns it into an animated video—complete with characters, backgrounds, voiceovers, and motion.

Here’s how to level up your TikTok game using AutoDraft AI:

1. Horror Shorts & Mystery Scenes IMG Create suspenseful videos with spooky backgrounds, eerie music, and characters reacting to scary situations.
2. Love Stories & Drama Reels IMG Build romantic or dramatic stories with visual storytelling—without ever showing your face on camera.
3. Motivation & Quotes with Character Voice IMG Add inspirational text, character monologues, or voiceover narration over animated characters delivering powerful messages.
4. Education & Explainers IMG Explain concepts, tell stories, or deliver facts using animated avatars and on-screen visuals that make information stick.
5. Makeup and Skincare IMG Recreate scenes from your favorite games, anime, or fantasy ideas—fully animated with custom characters and settings.
6. Meme Content & Reactions IMG Turn text threads, funny replies, or viral trends into animated reactions that hit fast and make people laugh.

Tips to Add Captions on TikTok Videos

IMG Adding captions is not just about putting text on the screen. How you format and time your captions can impact how viewers engage with your video. Use these tips to make your captions more effective:

1. Keep It Short and Clear: Use simple sentences or phrases. Avoid long paragraphs. Captions should be easy to read at a glance.
2. Use Sentence Case: Avoid using all capital letters unless it is for emphasis. Sentence case is easier on the eyes and looks more professional.
3. Choose Readable Fonts: Stick to clean, easy-to-read fonts. Avoid overly decorative styles that might distract or be hard to follow.
4. Time It Right: Make sure each caption appears in sync with the audio or action. If text appears too early or too late, it can confuse viewers.
5. Avoid Blocking Key Visuals: Place your captions where they do not cover faces, actions, or important details. Adjust the position based on the layout of your video.
6. Match the Tone: Use color, size, and font style that fit the mood of your content. For comedy, you might use bold text. For serious content, keep it minimal.

With just a few adjustments, your captions can go from basic to impactful. Small adjustments in clarity, emotion, or just better pacing can help your content stand out and keep your audience watching longer.

Best Times to Post Videos on TikTok

Posting at the right time can make or break your video’s performance on TikTok, especially when it comes to captioned or animated content. These formats rely heavily on initial engagement, which is why timing matters more than ever.

While your audience’s behavior may vary by location and niche, multiple studies and platform insights reveal consistent global posting times and trends for 2025.

Best Times to Post by Day

Peak TikTok Engagement Windows (Across All Niches)

• Wednesdays: 2 PM to 5 PM is the top-performing slot.
• Thursdays: Strong across 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM to 5 PM, and again at 7 PM.
• Fridays: Best from 1 PM to 3 PM. Avoid late-night drops.

Pro Tips For Posting on TikTok

1. Post Before Peak Hours, so your video lands while users are active.

2. Adjust for your audience’s timezone, especially if you target viewers in India, the US, or globally.

3. Use TikTok Analytics to refine your posting strategy over time.

High-engagement windows help boost TikTok’s algorithmic push, especially for visually rich videos. Silent scrolling periods like lunch breaks or late nights favor captioned videos, while weekend slots are perfect for creative storytelling.

For animated videos, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 2 PM–5 PM and 7 PM–8 PM offer the best chance for engagement. But consistency throughout the week will help build momentum and reach.

Key Takeaways

Captions definitely improve your TikTok videos, but they are only one piece of the puzzle. If you want to grow faster, reach wider, and keep people watching, you need content that looks different and feels more creative.

This is where top creators turn to AI animation tools like AutoDraft AI to stand out.

AutoDraft AI is an online tool that lets you create full cartoon-style videos without any animation skills. You just type your idea, and the platform handles the rest—characters, voices, scenes, and motion.

It is built for creators who want to post unique, scroll-stopping content without wasting time editing.

Whether you're making TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Reels, AutoDraft helps you turn ideas into animated reels in minutes.

Ready to level up your content beyond captions? Try AutoDraft AI now and start creating videos that people remember.