Ever tried to make sense of a video in a packed train or while your partner's sleeping next to you? You're not alone in that silent scroll.

Nearly 9 in 10 Americans have watched videos with subtitles, and half of them do it most of the time. I'm firmly in that camp—my brain simply refuses to process audio without text backing it up.

And it's not just people who are deaf or hard of hearing. A whopping 80% of 18-25 year-olds use captions despite only 10% reporting hearing difficulties. The truth is, captions aren't an accessibility feature anymore—they're a viewer preference.

This makes perfect sense when you consider that most people watch online video content without sound. Nobody wants to be that person blasting audio in public, and honestly, nobody wants to hear your content unless they've explicitly chosen to.

Adding captions isn't just a nice-to-have anymore—it's practically required if you want your Instagram Reels to perform. Let's walk through how to add captions to your Reels in six straightforward steps, so you don't leave potential viewers scrolling past your uncaptioned content.

What are Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels are short-form videos on the Instagram app. Reels were introduced to the social media platform in 2020 to help Instagram compete with the wildly popular app TikTok.

Since adding Reels, Instagram has put a major emphasis on video content in the feed. And pretty much all Instagram videos come in Reels form these days, probably because Reels get more views and engagement than any other type of post on Instagram. So it's a good idea to incorporate Reels into your overall Instagram marketing strategy.

Why adding captions to Instagram Reels matters

There are four main reasons you should add captions and subtitles to your Instagram Reels (and pretty much any online video you create and share).

Make Reels accessible to more viewers

Adding subtitles and captions to your video content is one big way to make it more accessible for your viewers. Whether someone is deaf, hard of hearing, or processes text better than sound, using the captioning feature lets more viewers access your content.

Increase viewer engagement with captions

Captions also allow more viewers to watch and engage with your video content. If someone is on public transportation or trying not to wake up their kids by keeping the volume on mute, they can still view your videos and understand your message completely.

Help viewers understand your message

Sometimes, people speak quickly, or have accents that can be difficult to understand, making it hard to pick up the exact words they're saying. Captions combat that by providing a written transcript of the audio, which allows viewers to read along and not miss any important information or nuances.

Boost your Reels discoverability

Lastly, including captions in your videos can boost your SEO, making it easier to rank in search and algorithms and helping more people discover your content. Instagram's algorithm may also favor videos with captions since they tend to have higher engagement rates.

Simply put: use captions. It's more than worth it.

How to add captions to Instagram Reels

Now that we understand how important they are both for your brand and your viewers, let's walk through the six-step tutorial for adding captions to Reels.

Step 1: Open your Instagram app and select Reels

First things first, boot up your Instagram app to get started. Tap the plus sign in the center of the bottom bar or slide the home feed to the right. Select Reels from the creation options. (Other options include Post, Story, and Live.)

Step 2: Record your Reel

Next, it's time to record your Reel. If you have a video you've already put together, just swipe up and upload it from your camera roll. Otherwise, you can easily record and edit your Reel right inside the Instagram app.

There are templates you can choose from if you want a starting point for your Reel.

You can also take advantage of some of the other recording tools available, like filters, effects, grids, or a green screen, which can make your Reels more engaging.

Once you've chosen your preferred tools, click the recording button to get started. You can record multiple segments rather than a single continuous video before moving on to the next step.

Step 3: Click Next to edit

When you're done recording and satisfied with your Reel, tap Next in the bottom right corner. That will take you to the editing interface with your recorded video in the background.

Tap Edit video to mess around with the video timeline, or use the editing tools in the top right corner of the screen to make other adjustments.

Step 4: Click on the Sticker icon

If you add on-screen video captions, you need to click the Sticker icon (the one with the smiley face on it) to open up the menu.

You can incorporate many different types of Stickers into your Reel, including animated GIFs. Scroll through or search to find some fun ways to engage your audience, or move on to the next step to generate subtitles.

Step 5: Choose the Captions sticker

Tap the Captions sticker to access the auto subtitle functionality. If there's audio in your video, the app will start transcribing it. It'll pull from your video audio or voiceover if you have one.

Once the transcription has been finalized, your captions will appear on your phone screen.

Step 6: Finalize your captions and publish

This is where you make sure your captions are accurate. The auto-generation tool doesn't always get every word 100% correct, so you'll need to do some touch ups. Just tap to edit captions and make sure they perfectly match the words in the video. Pay special attention to industry terms, names, and any specialized vocabulary that auto-caption tools often misinterpret.

Next, you can choose one of four styles for your captions. You can also drag them to a specific place on your screen, make them bigger or smaller, and change the color. Adding a background color can make your captions more readable against busy visuals.

Once you're happy with how your captions look, tap Done, then tap Next. Here, you can select a cover for your video, write a caption to go along with it, tag people or locations, and share.

How to add captions to Instagram Reels with Descript

If you'd prefer not to use Instagram's native caption tools, no sweat. You can also create captions using software like Descript. Our AI-powered captions offer better accuracy than Instagram and can help streamline your workflow. Plus, they give you more customization options for font styles, positioning, and timing.

For example, Descript's AI transcription generates right after you record, so you don't need to re-upload anything. To add captions with Descript, follow these steps.

1. Record your video

Launch Descript on your computer and create a new video project. Plug in your mic, turn on your best camera, and record directly into Descript. You'll get uncompressed tracks and up to 4K video quality stored safely and progressively to the cloud.

2. Generate captions

The next step is to create captions for the video. Simply click the “Captions” button on the right hand menu. The captions will automatically appear on your video.

3. Stylize your captions

Customize the font, colors, and style of your captions to match your brand, or choose from one of Descript's ready-made templates. You can adjust caption positioning by clicking and dragging them on the scene and control the number of words displayed by resizing the text box boundary. Save your custom styles as templates to resume across projects or share with your team.

💡 PRO TIP: Got an international audience? Easily translate captions into multiple languages in your dashboard. Under the Repurpose section, choose Translate Captions and select the desired language for your captions. This helps break down language barriers and connect with a broader global audience.

4. Download your video

After you've checked your captions to make sure they're perfect, export and download your video. Save the video to your computer or transfer it to a mobile device.

5. Upload and publish

Last, you'll need to upload your video. If you're uploading a Reel from your desktop, head to Instagram.com and log in to your account. Click the Create button on the left-hand toolbar and upload your file.

If you're using a mobile device, open the Instagram app and select the + icon. Tap Reel, then choose the video from your device camera roll.

Advanced caption editing for better readability

Refining your captions’ look can make a huge difference in how viewers experience your Instagram Reels. Instagram offers basic styling like color selection and simple fonts, but you can enhance readability by adding backgrounds or outlines to the text. According to research on accessible video, ensuring strong color contrast between text and background helps keep your message clear in fast-paced or visually busy Reels. Experiment with different positions on the screen to avoid covering key visuals or on-screen action. Finally, always preview your Reel with captions before publishing to confirm that your chosen font size remains easy to read on smaller mobile screens.

Troubleshooting: Why captions aren't showing on Reels

Adding captions to Instagram Reels is only available on Android or iOS, not desktop. If you're trying to edit content on a desktop browser, that might be the reason you can't access this feature. As of 2025, Instagram continues to prioritize mobile app features over desktop functionality.

If you're using the mobile app but still can't see captions, you might be in the wrong country. Auto-generated captions, which appear on every video by default, are only available in select countries and languages. For now, the supported languages are English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Vietnamese, Italian, German, Turkish, Russian, Thai, Tagalog, Urdu, Malay, Hindi, Indonesian, and Japanese. Instagram continues to expand language support, so this list may grow over time.

The captions sticker, which lets you customize your video's captions, is also not available everywhere. Instagram states that this feature may not be available in Japan and select countries in Europe. If you're experiencing issues with the captions sticker, check Instagram's help documentation for the most current availability information.

Instagram is always updating and rolling out new features across the world. Keep checking back to see if you can access the captions feature. In the meantime, consider using a third-party app like Descript to create manual subtitles before you upload your video to Instagram.

Auto-generated vs. manual subtitles for Instagram Reels

Instagram’s auto-generated captions can be a quick solution, but the accuracy varies depending on factors like background noise and speech clarity. Manual subtitles, on the other hand, give you complete control over the text, ensuring that technical terms and names are always spot-on. Using a third-party editor such as Descript’s subtitle tool makes it easier to create precise transcripts and stylized text that complements your brand. With manual subtitles, you can also fine-tune timing so your words match up perfectly with the audio, reducing distracting delays or cutoffs. If you’re pressed for time, start with auto-generated text then edit for accuracy—just remember that skipping thorough edits could jeopardize viewer comprehension.

Best apps for adding captions to Instagram Reels

Want to create amazing Instagram Stories, Reels, and other videos that grab attention and engage your audience? Take advantage of an Instagram video editing app that can help make that happen—an app like Descript.

With intuitive, AI-powered video editing capabilities and transcription options that make adding Instagram captions to your content easy, Descript has everything that companies and content creators need to create amazing Instagram videos.

Instagram Reels captions: Frequently asked questions

How do I make text appear on Instagram Reels at different times?

To make your text appear at certain times, tap on it and select the duration and the time period in your Reel from the video timeline.

Why can't I add captions to my Reels?

You may be using the desktop version, or live in an area or speak a language not yet supported by Instagram. Another common issue is that your audio might be unclear or there's no spoken content in your video. Sometimes temporary glitches in the app can also prevent captions from appearing. Keep checking back, as the platform often does slow rollouts with features.

What is the best app to add captions to Instagram Reels?

There are a number of great video editing apps to use for your Instagram Reels. One of the best options is Descript's Instagram Video Editor, which gives you access to an easy-to-use and collaborative video editing tool.

How do I embed captions in Instagram Reels?

Get automatic captions to appear on your Reels using the auto-generated captioning feature available under “Advanced Settings.”

Can I add multiple language subtitles to my Reels?

Yes, you can add multiple language subtitles to broaden your reach across different audiences. Although Instagram doesn’t offer built-in translation for captions, you can create separate subtitle files or embed them manually for each language. Using a dedicated editing tool makes it easier to swap or layer text in multiple languages without messing up timing. Be sure to preview how your added subtitle lines appear on mobile devices, since extra lines can become cramped. According to research on accessible video, providing translations can significantly boost engagement by welcoming non-native speakers into the conversation.

How can I fix audio and caption synchronization issues?

First, make sure your audio track is clear and free of overlapping sounds that might confuse auto-caption tools. If you notice a delay or mismatch, adjust your captions manually in Instagram’s editing interface or in a third-party editor before re-uploading. Check that you’ve recorded in a quiet space with minimal background noise, since unclear sound can lead to inaccurate transcriptions. You can also layer your audio tracks carefully in an external tool like Descript to ensure each clip starts and ends exactly when it should. Always preview your reel in full before publishing to confirm that your captions match the visuals, as real-time playback can reveal subtle timing errors missed in editing.