How to Hardcode Subtitles to a Video in 5 Simple Steps

Hardcoding subtitles — also called burning in subtitles or hardsubbing — means permanently embedding subtitle text directly into the video image itself. The result is a single video file where the subtitles are always visible, on every device, in every player, without any extra subtitle file needed.

This guide covers three ways to hardcode subtitles: using HandBrake (the most widely used free option), using VLC media player, and using an online tool for quick jobs.

What are hardcoded subtitles?

Hardcoded subtitles are a type of closed captioning used in video files. Audio information such as dialog, sound/music effects, and voiceover content is displayed as text on the screen along with the rest of the video file. 

Hardcoded subtitles are often used to display alternate language translations and improve accessibility for hearing-impaired individuals. They display automatically as part of the video file, with no additional input required from the viewer. 

Hardcoded vs. softcoded subtitles

Understanding the difference helps you decide whether hardcoding is the right approach for your video.

Hardcoded subtitles are permanently rendered into the video frames. Viewers cannot turn them off, and you cannot edit or remove them after encoding. They display correctly on every device and platform without any additional files.

Softcoded subtitles are a separate file (SRT, ASS, or similar) that the video player loads alongside the video. Viewers can toggle them on or off and switch between multiple language tracks. The downside is that not every platform or player supports external subtitle files, and sync issues can arise.

For social media uploads, sharing videos across different platforms, or any situation where you can't guarantee the viewer's player supports subtitles, hardcoding is the more reliable choice.

How to hardcode subtitles to a video

Note: The screenshots used for this tutorial are from the Windows 11 version, but HandBrake is similar across all operating systems. 

There are several different ways to hardcode subtitles. You can even hardcode subtitles online, but these tools can be expensive due to the processing power required for rendering video files - and there's a better option.

The simplest way to hardcode subtitles to a video is with the open-source video conversion app HandBrake. It is available as a free download for Windows, macOS, and Linux. 

To begin hardcoding subtitles to a video, you will need the HandBrake app, a video file, and a subtitles file in a standardized format like SRT or SSA. Now let's take a closer look at how to hardcode subtitles!

Step 1. Install HandBrake

Start by installing the free HandBrake app, available from the official developer website. 

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. If you run into any problems, you can refer to the official installation guide. 

Step 2. Prepare your subtitle file

There is a wide range of subtitle formats, but the simplest option is the SRT (SubRip Text) file format. SRT files contain text and timing information, and you can create them using any basic text editor. 

If you don't already have an SRT file prepared, Notta has a helpful guide on how to create SRT subtitles that can simplify the process. 

If you want to create customized subtitles, you will need to use a more advanced format like SSA (SubStation Alpha). SSA files support multiple fonts, different colors for different speakers, and the ability to position your subtitles anywhere on the screen. 

HandBrake can hardcode your subtitles using both SRT- and SSA-formatted subtitle files. 

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Step 3. Open your video in HandBrake

Open the HandBrake app, and click the 'File' button. Browse to select your video file, and click 'Open'.

HandBrake will load your video file and display a preview of the content. 

Step 4. Configure your subtitle settings in HandBrake

Click the 'Subtitles' tab in HandBrake to view the subtitle settings for your video, and then click the 'Clear' button to remove any default options. 

Open the 'Tracks' dropdown menu and click 'Import Subtitle'. Browse to select your subtitle file and click 'Open'.

To ensure that your subtitles get hardcoded into your video, select the 'Burn In' checkbox. 

Step 5. Encode your video and verify the results

Use the 'Preset' button to select your desired output format, as shown below. It's usually a good idea to match the same resolution as your source file unless you want to create a file with a different resolution. 

When you're happy with the settings, click the 'Start Encode' button at the top of the HandBrake window. 

HandBrake will combine your files and burn your subtitles permanently into the video file. It's a good idea to review your newly rendered video file to confirm that your hardcoded subtitles display correctly. 

FAQs

How do I hardcode subtitles to MP4?

You can hardcode subtitles into MP4 videos using the same steps as any other video format. When preparing your video file in HandBrake, simply select MP4 as your output format on the 'Summary' tab. 

Read next: How to extract subtitles from MP4

How can I hardcode subtitles without losing quality?

Unfortunately, there is no way to hardcode subtitles without losing some video quality. Every time a video gets compressed during the rendering process, some quality is lost. You can minimize this loss of quality by using the correct settings, but there will always be some. 

Can I remove hardcoded subtitles?

No, you cannot remove hardcoded subtitles from a video file. It is possible to crop, cover, or blur out hardcoded subtitles, but there is no way to remove all traces of them from a video. Advanced AI tools like VSR may be able to remove hardcoded subtitles in certain videos, but these tools still create a visible distortion effect around the removed text. 

How do I permanently burn subtitles to a video?

Permanently burning subtitles to a video is another term for hardcoding subtitles to a video. You can use the same steps outlined above for hardcoding subtitles using Handbrake on any platform (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

How do I burn in subtitles in HandBrake without the Burn In option working?

If subtitles are appearing as a separate track in your output rather than being burned in, check that the Burn In checkbox is ticked in the Subtitles tab before encoding. Only one track can have Burn In enabled at a time. If you're using a SRT file and it doesn't appear in the track options, make sure you added it using Import Subtitle from the Tracks dropdown rather than relying on any auto-detected tracks.

Key takeaways

Hardcoded subtitles are the most reliable solution for providing language translations for international viewers and improving video accessibility for hearing-impaired individuals. Hardcoded subtitles will always display as intended, and they cannot be disabled or removed. HandBrake is a popular free app that is ideal for anyone who wants to know how to burn subtitles into video files in a wide range of formatting options.