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How to Write Subtitles with Claude

Subtitles are an essential element of any video content. They improve the accessibility, SEO, and engagement of your videos. With Claude, you can write accurate, well-timed, and natural subtitles in minutes. Whether you start from a raw transcription, an existing script, or a video to be subtitled in another language, Claude helps you produce professional subtitles adapted to the SRT or VTT format. This tutorial guides you step by step to transform your audio and video content into quality subtitles, leveraging Claude's writing and paraphrasing abilities to achieve a smooth and readable result on screen.

Prerequisites

  • 1.An active Claude account (free or Pro)
  • 2.A transcription or script of your video/audio content
  • 3.Knowing the desired subtitle format (SRT, VTT, or plain text)
  • 4.The approximate duration of each video segment (if you want timecodes)

Steps

1

Prepare your source transcription or script

Before asking Claude to write your subtitles, gather the source text. It could be an automatic transcription (generated by Whisper, YouTube, or another tool), an original script, or notes summarizing the content. If your transcription is raw and contains errors, that's not a problem: Claude can correct them in the following steps. Paste the text into your conversation with Claude.

Here is the raw transcription of my video. Can you clean it up by fixing mistakes, adding missing punctuation, and removing hesitations (uh, um, etc.)?

[PASTE_YOUR_TRANSCRIPTION_HERE]

Tip: If your transcription is very long, split it into 3 to 5 minute segments for better results.
2

Split the text into subtitle lines

Subtitles must comply with length and readability constraints. Each line should not exceed 42 characters, and each subtitle block should contain at most 2 lines. Ask Claude to split your cleaned text into blocks suitable for on-screen display, respecting natural speech pauses and syntax.

Split this text into subtitle blocks. Each block must contain 1 to 2 lines of maximum 42 characters each. Respect natural pauses and never cut in the middle of a sense group. Number each block.

[PASTE_YOUR_CLEANED_TEXT_HERE]

Tip: Ask Claude to keep important words together: never separate an article from its noun, nor a subject from its verb between two lines.
3

Generate the file in SRT or VTT format

Once your subtitle blocks are validated, ask Claude to format them according to your chosen standard. The SRT format is the most universal and compatible with YouTube, Vimeo, and most video players. The VTT format is used for the web (HTML5). If you have the timecodes, provide them; otherwise, Claude can generate estimated timecodes based on an average reading speed.

Convert these subtitle blocks to SRT format. Generate estimated timecodes assuming a reading speed of 150 words per minute and a start at 00:00:00. Here are the blocks:

[PASTE_YOUR_NUMBERED_BLOCKS_HERE]

Tip: You can specify the total duration of your video so that Claude adjusts the timecodes proportionally.
4

Adapt the style and tone of subtitles

Depending on the context of your video (technical tutorial, marketing content, documentary, training), the style of the subtitles can vary. Claude can rephrase your subtitles to make them more concise, more formal, or more accessible. This is also the time to add sound cues in brackets ([music], [laughter], [applause]) for accessibility.

Rephrase these subtitles for a [professional / casual / educational] tone. Simplify overly long sentences, replace technical jargon with accessible terms, and add relevant sound cues in brackets where necessary.

[PASTE_YOUR_SUBTITLES_HERE]

Tip: For videos intended for social media, favor short and impactful sentences that capture attention even without sound.
5

Proofread, adjust, and export the final file

Ask Claude to do a final review of your subtitles, checking spelling, timecode consistency, compliance with length constraints, and reading fluency. Once satisfied, copy the result into a text file and save it with the .srt or .vtt extension depending on the chosen format. You can then import it directly into your editing software or video platform.

Proofread these subtitles in SRT format and check: 1) No line exceeds 42 characters, 2) Timecodes are consistent and do not overlap, 3) Spelling and grammar are correct, 4) Sentence breaks are natural. Correct any errors found and return the final file.

[PASTE_YOUR_SRT_FILE_HERE]

Tip: Always test your subtitles by reading them aloud: if you can't read them comfortably within the timecode duration, they are too long.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • ✗Creating subtitle lines that are too long (more than 42 characters) that overflow the screen or are unreadable on mobile
  • ✗Cutting sentences in the middle of a sense group, making reading jerky and incomprehensible
  • ✗Forgetting to add sound cues ([music], [background noise]) for hearing-impaired viewers
  • ✗Not adapting the language level to the target audience: subtitles that are too technical or too informal hinder comprehension
  • ✗Using inconsistent or overlapping timecodes, causing subtitles that appear and disappear too quickly

FAQ

Can Claude translate my subtitles into another language?
Yes, Claude excels at translation. Provide it with your SRT file and ask for a translation into the target language, specifying to keep the format and timecodes. For best results, ask it to adapt idioms rather than translate word for word.
What is the difference between SRT and VTT formats?
The SRT (SubRip) format is the most widespread and compatible with the majority of video platforms. The VTT (WebVTT) format is designed for the web and supports additional styling options (colors, positioning). For YouTube or Vimeo, use SRT. For a website with an HTML5 player, prefer VTT.
How to handle subtitles for a very long video (over an hour)?
Split your transcription into segments of 5 to 10 minutes and process each segment separately with Claude. Make sure to provide the start timecode of each segment so that Claude adjusts the timecodes correctly. Then assemble the SRT files into a single final document.

Related tutorials

How to transcribe a video with ClaudeHow to translate a text with ClaudeHow to write a video script with Claude

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