Does TikTok have built-in auto-captions?

TikTok offers basic auto-captions, but they are limited in styling options. AI tools like FluxNote offer 25+ animated styles that significantly outperform TikTok's native captions in engagement.

What caption style works best on TikTok?

Word-by-word karaoke highlighting (where each word lights up as it is spoken) is the highest-performing style. Bold, pop-up, and highlighted styles also work well.

Where should I place subtitles on TikTok?

Center of the screen is safest. Avoid the bottom 20% (UI buttons) and right edge (like/share buttons). The center 60% of the frame is the sweet spot for caption placement.

Guide

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How to Use AI Subtitles on TikTok (Step-by-Step)

85% of TikTok is watched without sound. AI subtitles are not optional — they are essential. Learn how to add perfectly styled, auto-generated captions that boost your TikTok engagement.

Last updated: February 23, 2026

Step-by-Step Guide

Create or upload your video

Generate a new video with FluxNote or import an existing TikTok for caption addition.

Auto-generate captions

FluxNote transcribes audio with word-level timing accuracy. No manual work required.

Choose TikTok-optimized styles

Select bold, animated styles. Word-by-word karaoke highlighting is the top performer on TikTok.

Adjust placement and size

Center captions with 40px+ font size. Avoid TikTok UI zones at the bottom and right edges.

Export with burned-in captions

Export with hardcoded subtitles and upload directly to TikTok.

Why subtitles are mandatory for TikTok success

The data is clear: 85% of TikTok content is consumed on mute. Videos with captions get 40% more watch time than those without. Subtitles are not a nice-to-have — they are the difference between your video being watched and being skipped.

Beyond accessibility, styled subtitles have become a design element on TikTok. Bold, animated, word-by-word captions are now the standard for viral content. They keep eyes on the screen and guide attention.

AI-powered subtitle tools make this effortless. Instead of manually timing every word, AI transcribes and syncs captions automatically with word-level precision.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Create or upload your video. Start with a new AI-generated video from FluxNote or upload an existing TikTok.

Step 2: Auto-generate captions. FluxNote transcribes your audio and generates word-level timed captions automatically.

Step 3: Choose a TikTok-optimized style. Select bold, animated caption styles. Word-by-word karaoke highlighting is the top performer on TikTok.

Step 4: Adjust placement and sizing. Position captions in the center of the frame. Make text large enough for mobile viewing (40px minimum). Avoid TikTok UI zones.

Step 5: Export with burned-in captions. Export with subtitles hardcoded into the video. Upload directly to TikTok.

Tips for best results

- Word-by-word highlighting is the highest-performing caption style on TikTok
- Large, bold fonts — at least 40px for readability on phone screens
- Center placement — avoid the bottom 20% where TikTok UI overlaps
- High-contrast colors — white with dark outline or colored highlights on dark backgrounds
- Match style to niche — bold for motivation, clean for educational, colorful for entertainment

Common mistakes to avoid

- No subtitles at all — this is the single biggest mistake on TikTok
- Tiny text — if viewers cannot read captions on a phone, they scroll away
- Captions in TikTok safe zones — UI elements cover the bottom and right side of the screen
- Boring, static captions — animated, word-by-word styles outperform static text significantly
- Not reviewing for accuracy — check AI transcription for errors before posting

Pro Tips

Word-by-word karaoke highlighting is the top TikTok caption style
Use at least 40px font size for mobile readability
Position captions in the center, avoiding the bottom 20% for TikTok UI
Choose high-contrast colors: white outlines or color highlights
Always review AI transcription for accuracy before posting