9:16 Positioning
Subtitles auto-positioned in the safe zone - visible above navigation bars and below profile icons on every platform.
Vertical Video
Subtitles Built for Vertical Video
Stop cropping horizontal subtitle styles onto vertical content. CapsAI generates captions specifically designed for 9:16 - positioned, sized, and styled for Reels, Shorts, and TikTok.
9:16
Optimized
50+
Caption Styles
Free
No Watermark
Features
Designed for short-form vertical content
Vertical-First Styles
Caption templates designed for portrait mode. Larger fonts, shorter lines, centered or bottom-third placement.
60-Second Processing
Short-form videos process in seconds. Get your captioned Reel back before you finish writing the caption.
Word-by-Word Animation
Karaoke-style word highlighting that keeps viewers reading - proven to boost watch time on short videos.
Multi-Platform Export
Export optimized for Instagram (1080x1920), YouTube Shorts (1080x1920), or TikTok with platform-specific safe zones.
Multilingual Vertical
Generate vertical captions in any language. Hindi, Tamil, Spanish, Arabic - all with proper script rendering in portrait.
Workflow
How to add subtitles to vertical video
Step 1
Upload Vertical Video
Drop your 9:16 video - filmed on phone, exported from CapCut, or any vertical format.
Step 2
AI Generates Captions
Speech detected, transcribed, and timed automatically. Works with any language or accent.
Step 3
Pick Your Style
Choose from 50+ vertical-optimized caption styles. Adjust font, color, position, and animation.
Step 4
Export & Post
Download your captioned video in full 1080x1920 resolution. Post directly to Reels, Shorts, or TikTok.
Use Cases
Why vertical video needs different subtitles
Safe Zone Awareness
Captions never overlap with platform UI elements - likes, comments, share buttons, or the description area.
Larger Font by Default
Vertical videos are viewed on phones. Our default font sizes are 40% larger than horizontal subtitle standards for readability.
Short Line Breaks
Lines break at 4-5 words max so text fits the narrow frame without becoming a wall of tiny text.
Thumb-Stop Styles
Bold, animated caption styles proven to stop the scroll. Based on analysis of top-performing short-form content.
FAQ
Vertical Video Subtitles FAQ
What resolution does it export?
Full 1080x1920 (9:16) at up to 60fps. This is the native resolution for Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok.
Can I use it for Stories too?
Yes. Instagram Stories, YouTube Stories, and Facebook Stories all use the same 9:16 format. Our subtitles work perfectly.
Does it handle face-to-camera videos?
Yes. The AI positions captions to avoid overlapping the speaker's face, typically placing them in the bottom third.
What about videos with text already on screen?
You can manually adjust caption positioning to avoid existing text overlays, graphics, or watermarks in your video.
Can I add subtitles to horizontal video and make it vertical?
CapsAI focuses on captioning - for cropping 16:9 to 9:16, use a tool like CapCut first, then add captions with CapsAI.
Caption your vertical videos in seconds
Purpose-built for 9:16. Perfect positioning, scroll-stopping styles, instant processing. Free for short videos - no watermark.
Try CapsAI Free →