Adding text to videos helps viewers follow the message, highlight key moments, and stay engaged from start to finish. The right text overlay can make a video content easier to understand and more accessible for audiences watching on mute, whether it's training videos for work or social media Reels. Animated text can also add personality and help important information stand out.
In this guide, explore different ways to add text overlays to videos and GIFs, create eye-catching titles and meme-style text, and customize fonts, colors, and sizes to match a brand using the Clipchamp video editor.
How to overlay text on video online
Step 1. Import videos or select stock footage
To import videos, photos, and GIFs, click on the import button in the your media tab on the toolbar to browse computer files, or connect a OneDrive account.
Alternatively, use free stock media like video clips, photos, video backgrounds, and GIFs. Click on the content library tab on the toolbar and click on the visuals drop down arrow, then videos, photos, or backgrounds. Search through the different stock categories using the search bar as well.
Drag and drop media onto the timeline to start editing.
Step 2. Add text overlay to video
Click on the text tab on the toolbar to add text to video. Browse available text styles, titles, two line animated text and caption overlays in the text tab. Hover over a text option to preview it's look and feel and see the text animation in action. Some popular text options are typewriter, retro, caption highlight and bouncing text.
Click on the add to timeline button to use the title or try dragging and dropping it onto the timeline.
Try out more than one text style to see what suits the video needs. Drag and drop another text style onto the timeline to replace it. Do this as many times as needed.
Step 3. Customize the text overlay
Editing options vary depending on the title chosen. To change the writing in the text overlay, click on the pencil icon in the text menu inside the stage. Next, click on the text tab on the property panel. Here, update the font, style, size and color. Try advanced text editing options like adding line height, spacing, or shadows.
Step 4. Edit the length of the text overlay
Extend the length of the text by dragging the text handles left and right of the timeline. Dragging to the left will shorten the length, while dragging to the right will extend the length.
Step 5. Preview and save the video
Make sure to preview videos before saving by clicking on the play button. When it's ready to save, click on the export button and select a video resolution.
For more help, check out adding titles and text to video or watch this helpful YouTube video.
How to add text to GIFs and meme videos
Here’s how to replicate the viral meme video text to create a meme video or make a GIF in a few clicks.
Click on the text tab on the toolbar.
Select the meme text option under the caption category.
Edit the text inside the text tab on the property panel.
Customize font size and add background or stroke colors on the property panel.
In a rush to create a meme masterpiece? Get started with a free meme video template instead.
How to add transparent text to videos
Achieve a dreamy video aesthetic or convey a message without blocking the video footage using transparent text using these simple steps.
Click on the adjust colors tab on the property panel to open the transparency slider and blend mode options.
Edit the title to look transparent using the transparency slider.
Drag the transparency slider to the right to increase the effect.
How to animate text overlays
Animation is available on plain text and on any option inside the text styles collection, so start with one of those before opening the animate tab.
Click on the text tab on the toolbar, then drag plain text or a text style onto the timeline above the video.
Select the text on the timeline, then click on the animate tab on the property panel.
Choose an animation from the six options: fade, smooth slide, bounce slide, smooth scale, bounce scale, or typewriter.
Click both, in, or out to play the animation at the beginning of the title, at the end, or in both places.
Drag the duration slider left or right to speed up or slow down the animation.
Click a direction arrow to set which way the animation moves, when the chosen animation style supports it.
Click on the play button to preview the animation, then select a different option to compare styles.
Trending text overlays in Clipchamp video editor
Credits roll text
Use the scrolling text overlay to give videos a cinematic finish. Ideal for short films, video podcasts, tribute videos, and documentaries, this text overlay mimics traditional movie credits. Find the credits roll title in the text tab on the toolbar to get started.
Star rating title overlay
Showcase customer satisfaction with the rating text overlay, perfect for testimonial videos, product reviews, or promotional videos. Add a start rating overlay to video using the rating title in the text tab. Easily customize the number of starts shown within the rating (select from one to five stars) with the start rating text style in the text tab on the toolbar.
Vintage text style
Add a retro look and feel to videos with this nostalgic overlay inspired by the '60s and '70s. The vintage text style works beautifully for get ready with me vlogs and wedding recap videos, or even DIY videos. Use the vintage text style in the text tab on the toolbar.
Neon text style
Promote a gaming channel or sale event on social media using this trendy text overlay. Customize the sale text with discount details or sale event name, then personalize with brand colors and fonts. Choose the neon text style in the text tab on the toolbar.
Caption highlight title
This clear text format is perfect to add to a video presentation with a voiceover, or YouTube videos with subtitles. Add high contrast text backgrounds for accessibility or choose different colors for speakers to improve the video flow. To generate subtitles in multiple languages, try the Clipchamp subtitle generator. Find this caption highlight text style in text tab on the toolbar.
Overlay text to transform everyday videos into engaging content. Enhance videos by exploring the best fonts for social media video and eye-catching frames and borders.
Start editing videos with Clipchamp video editor or download the Microsoft Clipchamp Windows app.
Heads up! The screenshots in this article are from Clipchamp for personal accounts. The same principles apply to Clipchamp for work and school accounts.
