Home Video Editing How to Add Subtitles to MP4 on Windows & Mac

How to Add Subtitles to MP4 on Windows & Mac

Discover how to effortlessly add subtitles to MP4 videos using a range of software and online tools, ensuring your content is accessible and engaging to a diverse audience.

Author image
Joy Taylor | Last Updated: Aug. 30, 2024
1526 words|5minute

Adding subtitles to your MP4 videos can significantly improve their accessibility and make your content more engaging and understandable to a wider audience. Whether you’re creating educational videos, vlogs, or films, having subtitles ensures that viewers can follow along, even in noisy environments or for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. In this guide, we’ll explore various methods to add subtitles to MP4 files on both Windows and Mac platforms, catering to different preferences and needs.

Why Do You Need to Add Subtitles to MP4

Adding subtitles serves multiple important purposes. There are many reasons to add subtitles to your MP4. The following are the main reasons:

1. Add Subtitles to MP4 1-Click with Professional Tool [Safe & Easy]

Movavi Video Editor is a leading video editing software renowned for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features. With Movavi, users can effortlessly add subtitles to MP4 videos, offering precise control over subtitle positioning, font, size, and color. 

This professional tool supports a wide range of subtitle formats, ensuring compatibility with various projects. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned editor, Movavi provides a safe and easy 1-click solution to enhance your MP4 videos with subtitles, making it a top choice for creators looking to elevate their content. Movavi Video Editor stands out for its friendly user interface and powerful functions.

Key Features of Movavi:

How to Add Subtitles with Movavi:

Step 1. Visit the official Movavi website and download the software. Follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your Windows or Mac computer. Launch Movavi and click on “Add Video” to import your MP4 video.

Launch Movavi and click on "Add Video"

Launch Movavi and click on “Add Video”

Step 2. Select “Subtitle” from the menu and then click on “Add Subtitle.” You can also choose the Apply to all files option to merge the subtitles into all the chosen videos.

 Select "Subtitle" f

Select “Subtitle”

Step 3. Position the subtitles where you want them to appear on the video. You can also customize the font, size, and color to suit your preferences.

Adjust Settings

Adjust Settings

Step 4. Preview your video with the added subtitles to ensure everything looks correct. Once satisfied, click on “Export” to save the MP4 file with the subtitles included.

Preview your video with the added subtitles

Preview your video with the added subtitles

2. Add Subtitles to MP4 with HandBrake

The next way is to use HandBrake to add subtitles to MP4. HandBrake is a popular open-source video transcoder that supports adding subtitles to MP4 videos. With its user-friendly interface, users can import their MP4 files, select subtitle tracks, and customize settings such as language and position. 

Handbrake Video Compressor

Handbrake Video Compressor

Steps to Add Subtitles with HandBrake:

3. How to Add Subtitles to MP4 Using EZgif

EZgif is a free online tool that allows users to easily add subtitles to MP4 videos. With its simple interface, users can upload their MP4 files and subtitle tracks, customize settings, and download the final video with subtitles included. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced editor, EZgif provides a convenient solution for enhancing your videos with subtitles.

Steps to Add Subtitles with EZgif:

Step 1. Go to the EZgif website and click on “Video to GIF.”

Step 2. Upload your MP4 video file to the EZgif platform.

Step 3. Scroll down to the “Add Subtitles” section and upload your subtitle file (commonly in SRT format).

Step 4. Adjust the subtitle settings such as font, size, and position as needed.

Step 5. Click on “Convert to MP4” to download your MP4 file with the added subtitles.

4. Add Subtitles to MP4 with iMovie [Mac Only]

iMovie is a user-friendly video editing software designed for Mac users, offering a range of features including the ability to add subtitles to MP4 videos. With its intuitive interface, iMovie makes it easy to create professional-looking videos with subtitles. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced editor, iMovie provides a seamless solution for enhancing your MP4 videos.

Open the iMovie App

Open the iMovie App

Steps to Add Subtitles with iMovie:

  1. Launch iMovie and create a new project. Import your MP4 video by clicking on the “Import Media” button.

    Import Videos from iPhone to iMovie on Mac

    Import Videos from iPhone to iMovie on Mac

  2. Drag the MP4 video to the timeline. Click on the “Titles” button in the toolbar and select a title style for your subtitles.
  3. Double-click on the title in the timeline to edit the text. Type in your subtitles for each part of the video.
  4. Customize the appearance of the subtitles by changing the font, size, color, and position. Use the on-screen controls to place the subtitles where you want them on the video.
  5. Play back the video to preview the subtitles. Once satisfied, click on the “Share” button and choose your desired export settings. Finally, click “Next” to export your MP4 video with subtitles included.

5. Add Subtitles to MP4 Using VLC

The last way is to use VLC to add subtitles to MP4.VLC Media Player is a popular free multimedia player that also offers subtitle support, making it a versatile choice for adding subtitles to MP4 files.

Get VLC Media Player

Get VLC Media Player

Steps to Add Subtitles with VLC:

The Bottom Line

Adding subtitles to your MP4 videos can greatly enhance their accessibility and impact. While tools like HandBrake, EZgif, and VLC offer free options for adding subtitles, Movavi stands out for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive subtitle customization options. 

With Movavi, you have precise control over your subtitles, ensuring they enhance rather than detract from your video content. Download Movavi today and take your MP4 videos to the next level with professionally added subtitles.

Author image
Joy Taylor

Senior writer of the iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS & Android-related issues.

Back to Top Icon