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· AudioSRT Team
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How to Add Subtitles in Premiere Pro Using an SRT File

Adobe Premiere Pro has strong support for SRT subtitle files, and the workflow has become much smoother in recent versions. Whether you’re adding captions to a YouTube video, a corporate production, or a film, this guide covers exactly how to import, style, and export subtitles in Premiere Pro using an SRT file.

Prerequisites

Before you start, you’ll need:

If you don’t have an SRT file yet, you can generate one free using AudioSRT — it transcribes your audio using Whisper AI directly in your browser, no account needed.

This is the modern, recommended approach for Premiere Pro 2022 and later.

Step 1: Open Your Sequence

Open the sequence in the Timeline that you want to add subtitles to. Make sure your video/audio is already edited and locked before adding captions — adjusting edit points after adding captions can shift subtitle timing.

Step 2: Open the Text Panel

Go to Window > Text to open the Text panel. This is Premiere Pro’s dedicated caption and subtitle workspace. If you don’t see it, go to Window > Workspaces > Captions and Graphics.

Step 3: Import Your SRT File

In the Text panel, click the Captions tab at the top. Then click the Import Captions from File button — it looks like a small document with an arrow. Navigate to your SRT file and click Open.

Alternatively, you can go to File > Import and select your SRT file directly. Premiere will ask you to choose a caption format — select Subtitle and confirm the frame rate matches your sequence.

Step 4: Review the Imported Captions

Once imported, your captions appear in the Text panel as a list of subtitle blocks, each showing the timecode and text. Click any block to select it and see it highlighted in the timeline on a dedicated caption track.

Scroll through your timeline to verify the subtitles are syncing correctly with your audio. If they’re offset by a consistent amount, you may need to shift the entire caption track.

Step 5: Style Your Captions

Click a caption block to select it, then use the Essential Graphics panel (Window > Essential Graphics) to style your text:

To apply consistent styling to all captions at once, select all caption blocks in the Text panel (Ctrl+A / Cmd+A), then adjust settings — they apply to the entire selection.

Step 6: Adjust Timing if Needed

If individual subtitles need timing adjustments:

For the Text panel, you can also click directly on a timecode and type a new value.

Step 7: Export with Burnt-in Subtitles or Sidecar File

You have two export options:

Option A — Burnt-in subtitles (subtitles are permanently baked into the video): Go to File > Export > Media. In the Export Settings window, click the Captions tab and set Export Options to Burn Captions Into Video. Export normally.

Option B — Sidecar SRT file (exported alongside the video): In Export Settings > Captions tab, set Export Options to Create Sidecar File. Set Format to SubRip (.srt). This exports a separate SRT file that travels with your video — ideal for YouTube uploads.

Method 2: Legacy Import (Older Premiere Versions)

In Premiere Pro versions before 2022, the workflow was slightly different:

  1. Go to File > Import and select your SRT file
  2. The file appears in the Project panel as a captions asset
  3. Drag it onto the timeline — Premiere creates a captions track automatically
  4. Double-click any caption block to edit text and timing in the Captions panel

Troubleshooting Common Issues

“Timecodes don’t match my video”
This usually happens when the SRT was generated from an audio file that started at a different point than your video sequence. Try offsetting the entire caption track: select all captions, right-click, and choose Move Captions. Alternatively, regenerate the SRT from the audio at the exact same starting point as your video.

“Characters appear as symbols or boxes”
Your SRT file may have encoding issues. Open it in a text editor, and if using Windows Notepad, save it with “Save As” and change the encoding dropdown to UTF-8.

“Captions overlap or appear too close together”
The SRT file may have overlapping timecodes. Open the file in a text editor and manually adjust the end timecode of overlapping blocks. AudioSRT’s export automatically prevents overlap.

“I can’t see the caption track in my timeline”
Make sure you’re viewing the correct track header area. Caption tracks appear at the very top of the timeline. If hidden, right-click the track header area and choose Show/Hide Tracks.

Tips for Professional-Quality Subtitles

Frame-accurate timing: For broadcast quality, ensure your SRT timecodes match your sequence frame rate. A 29.97fps sequence needs subtitles timed to that rate — AudioSRT exports millisecond-accurate timecodes that work perfectly.

Keep it readable: Use high-contrast colors (white text on dark background or vice versa). The standard is white text with a subtle drop shadow, or a semi-transparent black box behind white text.

Standard positioning: Convention places subtitles in the lower third of the screen, centered horizontally. Keep text away from important visual elements.

Line length: Keep each line under 42 characters for easy reading. Most broadcast standards specify this.

Proofread: Always play through your entire video with captions visible before exporting. Catch any synchronization issues or text errors before delivery.

Exporting for Specific Platforms

YouTube: Upload your video, then in YouTube Studio > Subtitles, upload your SRT file separately. YouTube accepts the timecodes directly and you can edit them further after upload.

Vimeo: Similar to YouTube — upload your video, then add a subtitle track through the video settings.

Broadcast delivery: Different broadcasters have specific caption format requirements (CEA-608, CEA-708, TTML). Check your delivery specs and use Premiere’s caption format options accordingly.

Getting subtitles right in Premiere Pro takes a few minutes to set up the first time, but the workflow is fast once you know it. Pair AudioSRT’s free transcription with Premiere’s caption tools and you have a complete, professional captioning pipeline at zero cost.

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