9:16 without a second editor
Switch the project canvas to a vertical frame before placing the caption, rather than styling against a landscape preview that will later be cropped.
Add captions to an Instagram Reel before you post it.
Upload the source clip, generate the words, correct the transcript, switch to a 9:16 canvas, and keep the caption clear of the Reels interface before export.
Drop a video here
MP4, MOV, WebM or MKV · up to 500 MB · 10 minutes
No signup. No watermark. Guest projects stay editable for 24 hours, or 7 days once you sign in.
How it works
- 01
Upload the source Reel
Choose the MP4, MOV, WebM, or MKV file you intend to publish.
- 02
Generate and correct captions
Review names, punctuation, line breaks, and any words the transcription misheard.
- 03
Set the frame and safe area
Choose 9:16, enable the Instagram Reels overlay, and move the caption away from covered regions.
- 04
Export, check, and post
Download the captioned MP4, preview it in Instagram, and publish it from your normal account workflow.
Built for the correction after generation.
A Reels-specific overlay
The editor marks approximate regions used by Instagram's caption and audio area, action rail, and top bar while you drag the text.
Transcript correction first
Fix product names, handles, and spoken wording before rendering. The exported words come from the reviewed project, not a hidden second transcription pass.
Preview every style
All styles can be tried on the uploaded footage. Free video export is limited to Clean Minimal and Documentary; premium effects require Starter.
Burned-in text that travels
The caption is rendered into the MP4, so it keeps its position and appearance when the finished file is uploaded to Instagram.
Reusable caption files
Download SRT, VTT, or TXT from the same transcript when a client, archive, or another platform also needs the text.
Burn the captions in, or use Instagram's caption tool?
Both can be useful. The difference is whether the words must keep a designed appearance outside Instagram.
Burn in for fixed design
A captioned MP4 keeps the chosen font, emphasis, size, and position as part of the video picture.
Use Instagram for an in-app edit
If you are comfortable creating and correcting captions after upload, Instagram's own tool may be the shorter workflow.
A burned-in caption cannot be switched off
Every viewer sees it. That reliability is useful for visual storytelling, but it is not a selectable closed-caption track.
You can keep a separate text file too
Export SRT or VTT alongside the MP4 when the same project also needs a reusable subtitle track.
What the Reels caption workflow includes.
- Accepted files
- MP4, MOV, WebM, MKV
- Vertical canvas
- 9:16
- Safe-area overlay
- Instagram Reels
- Account to start
- Not required
- Account to download
- Google or email sign-in
- Free video projects
- 3 per month
- Free styles
- Clean Minimal, Documentary
- Free length and size
- 10 minutes, 500 MB
- Starter length and size
- 120 minutes, 5 GB
- Retention
- 24h guest, 7d Free, 90d Starter
- Watermark
- None
When this is not the right Reels tool.
The workflow prepares a captioned file. It does not replace Instagram or promise that one layout will survive every interface change.
You want automatic posting
There is no Instagram account connection, scheduler, or publishing API. Download the MP4 and post it yourself.
You need switchable accessibility captions
Burned-in captions stay visible and cannot be restyled by the viewer. Use a platform caption track when that control is required.
You need a guaranteed pixel-perfect safe zone
The overlay is deliberately conservative and approximate. Instagram chrome changes, so preview the final file in the current app before publishing.
Questions before upload
Does this post the Reel to Instagram for me?+
No. It creates the captioned MP4; you download that file and upload it through Instagram or your existing scheduler.
What aspect ratio should I use for Reels?+
Meta presents Reels as a 9:16 vertical placement. The editor includes a 9:16 canvas so you can position captions against that shape before export.
Will the captions stay clear of Instagram buttons?+
The Reels overlay marks approximate covered regions. App chrome varies by device and release, so use the guide and still preview the finished upload in Instagram.
Can viewers turn these captions off?+
No. They are burned into the video. If you need a switchable track, use Instagram's available caption features rather than relying only on the rendered MP4.
Can I try premium caption styles for free?+
You can preview every style. Free export supports Clean Minimal and Documentary; exporting premium effects requires Starter.
Does it translate a Reel?+
No. This workflow generates captions for the spoken language; it does not translate the transcript into another language.