Creating subtitles for your videos doesn't have to cost hundreds of dollars or require complicated software subscriptions. In this comprehensive tutorial, we'll show you exactly how to generate professional-quality subtitles completely free using Google's AI Studio and a simple editing tool.
What You'll Learn
- Generate accurate video subtitles using Google's Gemini AI
- Edit and perfect your subtitles with a free online editor
- Export subtitles in multiple formats (SRT, VTT)
- Translate subtitles to other languages instantly
- Save hundreds of dollars on subtitle services
Prerequisites
- Any video file you want to add subtitles to
- Web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.)
- Internet connection
- No account registration required for either tool (only need gmail or google account)
Step 1: Access Google AI Studio
Navigate to aistudio.google.com in your web browser. Google AI Studio is Google's free interface for interacting with their Gemini AI model.
Unlike ChatGPT or other AI services, Google AI Studio allows you to upload video files directly and process them without creating an account.
Step 2: Upload Your Video File
- Click on the file upload area in Google AI Studio
- Select your video file from your computer
- Wait for the upload to complete (processing time depends on file size)
- The AI will automatically extract and analyze the audio content
Supported formats: MP4, MOV, AVI, and most common video formats
Step 3: Write the Perfect Prompt
The key to getting accurate subtitles is crafting a specific prompt. Here's the exact prompt we recommend:
Please create subtitles in SRT format for the attached video. Make sure you:
- Use proper SRT timestamp format (00:00:00,000)
- Limit to one line per subtitle entry
- Keep subtitle segments short and readable
- Ensure timestamps match the audio precisely
- Format exactly like this example:
1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,500
Your subtitle text here
2
00:00:03,500 --> 00:00:07,200
Next subtitle text herePro tip: The more specific your instructions, the better the AI results. You can also request specific formatting or timing preferences.
Step 4: Generate Your Subtitles
- After uploading your video and entering the prompt, click "Run"
- The AI will process your video and generate subtitles (usually takes 1-3 minutes)
- Review the generated subtitles in the output area
- Copy the subtitle text or download it directly
Step 5: Download and Save Your Subtitle File
- Scroll to the bottom of the AI response
- Look for a download button or copy the subtitle text
- Save the file with a
.srtextension (e.g.,my-video.srt) - Name it exactly the same as your video file for easy organization
File naming example:
- Video file:
tutorial-video.mp4 - Subtitle file:
tutorial-video.srt
Step 6: Review and Edit with HappyScribe (Optional but Recommended)
While Google's AI is highly accurate, it's always good practice to review your subtitles. We recommend using HappyScribe's free editor:
Using HappyScribe's Free Editor
- Go to happyscribe.com/subtitle-tools/online-subtitle-editor/free
- Select your language (e.g., English US)
- Upload your SRT file from Step 5
- Upload your original video file
- The editor will sync your subtitles with your video
Making Edits
- Text corrections: Click on any subtitle text to edit
- Timing adjustments: Drag the subtitle bars to adjust timing
- Adding subtitles: Click "+" to add new subtitle segments
- Removing subtitles: Select and delete unwanted segments
Preview and Export
- Use the play button to preview your subtitles with the video
- Make any final adjustments
- Click "Export" when satisfied
- Choose your format (SRT for YouTube, VTT for web players)
- Download the final file
Step 7: Using Your Subtitles
For YouTube:
- Upload your video to YouTube
- Go to Video Details → Subtitles
- Click "Upload File" and select your SRT file
- Set the language and publish
For Other Platforms:
- Vimeo: Upload SRT files directly in video settings
- Social Media: Most platforms auto-detect SRT files when uploading
- Website Videos: Use VTT format for HTML5 video players
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Multi-Language Translation
Want subtitles in multiple languages? Add this to your original prompt:
After creating English subtitles, please also translate them to:
- Spanish
- French
- German
Provide each language in separate SRT format blocks.Improving AI Accuracy
- Clear audio: Better audio quality = more accurate subtitles
- Minimize background noise: AI works best with clean speech
- Consistent speakers: Multiple overlapping voices can confuse the AI
- Technical terms: Include a glossary in your prompt for industry-specific terms
Batch Processing
For multiple videos, you can:
- Upload all videos to Google AI Studio in separate sessions
- Use the same prompt template for consistency
- Process them one by one (current limitation of the free tool)
Cost Comparison
Traditional subtitle services:
- $1-3 per minute of video
- 24-48 hour turnaround
- Revision fees for changes
- Monthly minimums
Our free method:
- $0 cost
- 5-10 minutes total time
- Unlimited revisions
- No account requirements
Troubleshooting Common Issues
"Video won't upload"
- Check file size (Google AI Studio has upload limits)
- Try converting to MP4 format
- Ensure stable internet connection
"Subtitles are inaccurate"
- Improve your prompt with more specific instructions
- Check audio quality of source video
- Use the HappyScribe editor for manual corrections
"Timestamps don't match"
- Specify exact timing requirements in your prompt
- Use the editor to manually adjust timing
- Consider breaking long videos into shorter segments
"Missing subtitles for parts of video"
- AI might skip very quiet sections
- Add manual subtitles using HappyScribe editor
- Check for background music that might interfere
Automating the Process
For content creators with high video volumes, consider:
- Template prompts: Save your best-performing prompts
- Batch processing: Process multiple videos in sequence
- Quality checklists: Create review standards for consistency
- File organization: Develop naming conventions for easy management
Want to see advanced automation techniques? Let us know in the comments and we'll create dedicated tutorials for scaling this process.
Conclusion
This free method for creating video subtitles can save content creators and businesses hundreds of dollars monthly while maintaining professional quality. The combination of Google's AI Studio and HappyScribe's free editor provides a complete workflow that rivals paid services.
The entire process takes less than 10 minutes per video and requires no technical expertise or account registrations. Whether you're a YouTube creator, marketer, or business owner, this method scales with your needs without impacting your budget.
Resources and Links
Primary Tools:
- Google AI Studio - Free AI subtitle generation
- HappyScribe Free Editor - Subtitle review and editing
