Instagram Reels Subtitle Generator
This Instagram Reels subtitle generator transcribes your video and burns in captions that light up word by word as you talk.
Create an account to generate and export your captions.
What Instagram's own captions leave out
Instagram can add auto captions to Reels, and they're worth having for accessibility. They come in a small set of plain looks, though. They don't highlight each word as you say it, and they don't carry your brand.
They also only live on Instagram. Post the same clip to TikTok or Shorts and you start over. Burned-in subtitles are part of the video file, so every viewer on every app sees them.
Most people watch Reels with the sound off at least some of the time. If the words aren't on screen, your hook never reaches them. Styled captions that follow your voice give them a reason to stay past the first two seconds. When each word lights up as you say it, their eyes follow along and they keep watching to finish the sentence.
Instagram auto captions or styled subtitles
Styles
- Instagram auto captions
- A few basic looks
- Sycamore
- 9 animated templates, each one editable
Word-by-word highlight
- Instagram auto captions
- Not what they're built for
- Sycamore
- Yes, in templates like Mozi, Beast and Highlight Words
Colors and fonts
- Instagram auto captions
- Little control
- Sycamore
- Change text color, highlight color, size and weight
Placement
- Instagram auto captions
- Set by the app
- Sycamore
- Top, center or bottom, clear of your face
Other platforms
- Instagram auto captions
- Stay on Instagram
- Sycamore
- Travel with the exported file
| Instagram auto captions | Sycamore | |
|---|---|---|
| Styles | A few basic looks | 9 animated templates, each one editable |
| Word-by-word highlight | Not what they're built for | Yes, in templates like Mozi, Beast and Highlight Words |
| Colors and fonts | Little control | Change text color, highlight color, size and weight |
| Placement | Set by the app | Top, center or bottom, clear of your face |
| Other platforms | Stay on Instagram | Travel with the exported file |
Subtitle a Reel in three steps
Upload the Reel
Add your vertical video as an MP4, MOV or WebM file. Sycamore transcribes it and times every word.
Pick and tweak a style
Try templates on your own footage, then change colors, size or position to fit your feed.
Fix words and export
Correct any names or slang the transcript got wrong, export the video and post it to Instagram.
Caption styles that suit your feed
Mozi
Beast
Stack Emphasis
Blur Pop
Highlight Words
Typing Text
Word Pop
Staircase
Word Reveal
Where subtitles go on a 9:16 Reel
Reels play full screen in a tall 9:16 frame. Instagram puts your caption text, username and audio label along the bottom, and the like, comment and share buttons down the right edge. Subtitles in the bottom strip get covered.
Keep your subtitles a little above center, with a few words on screen at a time. Big text with an outline or a background box stays readable over busy footage and on small phones.
Once a look works, save it as a preset in Sycamore. Every Reel you post after that gets the same subtitles, so your videos look like yours before anyone sees your name.
Put subtitles on your next Reel
Frequently
Asked Questions
How do I add subtitles to Instagram Reels?
Upload your Reel to Sycamore, pick a caption style and export. The subtitles are burned into the video, so you post the finished file to Instagram like any other Reel.
Does Instagram add subtitles to Reels automatically?
Instagram can generate auto captions for Reels. They come in a few plain looks and stay on Instagram, while burned-in subtitles can highlight each word and show on any platform.
What is the best instagram reels subtitle generator for word-by-word captions?
Look for one that times each word to your voice and lets you restyle it. Sycamore does both, with templates like Mozi and Highlight Words that light up the spoken word.
Why do my subtitles get covered on Reels?
Instagram's caption text, username and buttons sit over the bottom and right side of the video. Move your subtitles above the bottom strip, and Sycamore lets you set them to the top, center or bottom.
What video files can I upload?
MP4, MOV and WebM video, plus MP3 if you only have the audio.