4 Methods to Add Text to a TikTok to Make Video Engaging

You probably have experienced being captivated by certain TikTok videos before they start playing. TikTok videos start to captivate viewers with properly placed text elements. Knowing how to add text to TikTok is not just a technical skill - it is a creative tool that helps you tell a story, grab attention, and keep viewers watching. Your screen content becomes more interesting when you correctly word your messages, irrespective of the content you share.

Part 1: How Can You Add Text to TikTok Videos on Your Phone

Learning how to add text to TikTok videos is a great place to start. The steps to add captions and apply timing to your video on TikTok can be accomplished through your phone, according to this section. Both new creators and experienced users will find this feature suitable.

Step 1Open the TikTok app and tap + at the bottom of your screen. You can either record something new or upload a video from your gallery. Once you’re happy with your clip, tap Next to move on to the editing screen.

Step 2On the right-hand side, tap the Text button, which is marked with Aa, as it opens a text box where you can type a message, title, caption, or anything else you want.

Step 3Type in your desired text using the keyboard. Play around with the options to match your text with your video’s tone. When you’re done, use your finger to drag the text into the perfect spot on the screen.

Step 4To control when the text appears and disappears, tap on the text box and select Set duration. A slider will emerge at the base of the screen. Drag the rears of the slider to adjust the timing so your text lines up with key parts of your video.

Optional. If you’d like the app to read your text aloud, select the Text-to-speech option after tapping your text box. Pick your preferred voice and decide whether you want it applied to that specific text or all text on-screen. This feature adds accessibility and personality to your video.

Step 5For videos with more than one text element, tap Edit to access the timeline view. Here, you can manage each text box individually - fine-tune when each one appears, overlaps, or fades out. It’s great for storytelling, step-by-step guides, or any content that needs detailed timing.

Step 6When everything looks good, tap Next to preview your video. At this point, you can pick a cover thumbnail, write your caption, and add relevant hashtags. Once you're ready to publish, hit Post. Just a quick reminder: after posting, the text can't be edited, so double-check before going live.

Part 2: How Can You Add Text to TikTok on PC

The editing process with a PC for TikTok videos seems restricted at first, mainly due to text limitations, yet a basic solution exists. If you have been asking how to add text to TikTok from your computer, the answer lies in using a third-party tool like Canva. The browser-based editing platform lets users upload videos to add customized text elements that they can animate while adjusting the timing for the final video upload to TikTok without cost. Canva offers basic features through its free version to allow users to make text-enhanced video content without requiring a subscription.

Step 1Open the main website of Canva, log in to your account, tick Create Design, choose Video, and choose the TikTok orientation of the video.

Step 2Tick Upload, choose Upload Files, and drag the video clip to the timeline. After that, go to the Text and scroll over to see the type of text you want to add to your TikTok video.

Step 3Click the text box that appears on your screen and type in the text you want to add to your video. Edit it out and click Share, then Download to have it on your PC.

Part 3: 2 Ways to Add Text to a Video for TikTok

1. AVAide Video Converter

Looking for a potent and reliable tool that can be used to add text on TikTok on a PC? AVAide Video Converter stands out as the best option on Windows and Mac. It is an all-in-one tool that supports text overlays, fine-tuning fonts, colors, styles, and position, as well as setting duration. With its user-friendly interface and ultra-fast processing, beginners can do the editing without a hassle, like a pro can do, but it is simpler.

What makes this app truly stand out is the ability to preserve the best quality of TikTok videos while offering complete customization control, making it ideal for TikTok creators. If you want to learn how to add text to TikTok on a PC, follow the steps here.

Step 1Go download this video editor by clicking the button that we have here, then follow the instructions for installation and setting up before you are able to launch it.

Step 2Open the More Tools menu and search for the Video Watermark so you can add text to the TikTok video you want to process. Tick the plus button that will appear next on your screen to upload the video clip and start editing it.

Step 3To add text, click on Text Watermark. In the text box that appears, type the text you want to have in the video. Customize the font, color, and formatting style directly in the same field. Once you're done, drag the text across the video to position it where you want.

Optional: Want to change the duration of each text that appears on your TikTok video? You can adjust their appearance and disappearance by setting the timestamps within the video.

Step 4When it is said and done, click the Export button to have it on your PC.

2. EZGif

EZGif operates as a free online tool that simplifies video editing functions, including cropping and resizing, while providing text addition capability. Users can modify font attributes, including size and style, but they will find limited animation features within the interface. The processing time at EZGif might increase when working with large video files, while it supports restricted file sizes. Users seeking a solution on how to add text to TikTok videos without software installation can find EZGif to be practical for their simple needs.

Step 1Open your browser and search for the EZGif add text, and open it by clicking the result that appears. Click the Choose File and Upload button to import it here.

Step 2Now, to add the text, go to enter the subtitle manually. Type in the text you want to add to the text field, set the start and stop, then edit its style with the available editing here.

Step 3Then, click Add Subtitle to process the text added to it. If the video size does not fit the requirements of TikTok, you can also use EZGif to resize the video.

By Jane Pineda on Apr 27, 2025