How to Add Text to YouTube Shorts

Adding text to your YouTube Shorts transforms them from simple video clips into engaging, story-driven content that can stop viewers mid-scroll. It's one of the simplest and most effective ways to boost your performance on the platform, and this guide will show you exactly how to do it. We'll cover everything from using YouTube's built-in tools to pro-level tips for making your text stand out.

Why Does Text on YouTube Shorts Even Matter?

You might think video is a purely visual medium, but text plays a massive role in catching and holding attention, especially in a fast-paced feed like YouTube Shorts. Before we get into the "how," let's quickly cover the "why."

• It Hooks Viewers Immediately: The first one to three seconds are everything. A bold text hook like "You won't believe this trick" or "3 mistakes you're making" grabs attention instantly and gives people a reason to keep watching.
• Most People Watch with Sound Off: Whether they're on public transit, in an office, or just scrolling at night, a significant portion of your audience watches without sound. Text captions and overlays make your Shorts understandable and accessible to everyone, dramatically increasing your potential reach.
• It Adds Context and Story: Text helps you guide the narrative. You can explain what’s happening, add a funny comment, or provide extra details that aren't obvious from the video alone. It turns a sequence of clips into a coherent story.
• It Drives Action: A simple text overlay with a call-to-action (CTA) like "Link in description!" or "Follow for Part 2" prompts viewers to take the next step, turning passive viewers into engaged followers.

Method 1: Using the YouTube Mobile App (Perfect for Beginners)

The easiest way to add text is directly within the YouTube app as you're creating your Short. While it has some limitations, it's fast, convenient, and perfect for getting started.

Step 1: Create or Upload Your Short

Start by opening the YouTube app on your phone. Tap the + icon at the bottom center of the screen and select "Create a Short." You can either record a new video using the Shorts camera or upload a pre-recorded clip from your phone's gallery by tapping the square icon in the bottom-left corner.

Step 2: Access the Text Tool

Once you’ve recorded or selected your video, you’ll be taken to the editing screen. Here, you'll see a row of tools at the bottom. Tap on the "Text" icon (it usually looks like "Aa").

Step 3: Write and Customize Your Text

Now the fun part begins. A text box and keyboard will appear.

• Type Your Words: Enter the text you want to display. Keep it short and to the point.
• Change the Color: Above your keyboard, you'll see a palette of color options. Tap one to change your text color.
• Add a Background: To the left of the fonts, you'll see an icon that looks like the letter "A" with a highlight behind it. Tapping this cycles through different background styles (like a solid block or a semi-transparent highlight) to make your text more readable. This is a game-changer for text on busy backgrounds.
• Select a Font: At the top of your screen, you can cycle through various font styles. Choose one that matches your video's vibe and is easy to read.
• Adjust Alignment: An icon on the left (usually with lines) allows you to align your text to the left, center, or right.

Once you are happy with how your text looks, tap "Done" in the top-right corner.

Step 4: Adjust the Timing with the Timeline

This is the most critical step and one many creators miss. You don't want your text to stay on screen for the entire video. To control when it appears and disappears, tap the "Timeline" button at the bottom of the editing screen.

You'll see your video timeline at the bottom, with a separate colored bar representing your text clip. You can:

• To change the start time: Tap and hold the left edge of the text bar and drag it to where you want the text to first appear.
• To change the end time: Tap and hold the right edge of the text bar and drag it to where you want the text to disappear.

You can add multiple text boxes and adjust the timing for each one individually, allowing you to create sequences of text that appear exactly when you want them to. Once you're finished, tap "Done." You can now proceed to add your caption, check your settings, and post your Short!

Method 2: Using Third-Party Video Editing Apps (For Maximum Creative Control)

While the YouTube app is convenient, it's also basic. If you want more font choices, cool animations, custom branding, and a more professional look, using a third-party editor is the way to go.

Popular, mobile-friendly editing apps like CapCut, VN Video Editor, or InShot are designed for this kind of work and offer far more creative tools. The general process is similar across all of them.

Step 1: Import Your Video into the Editor

Download your chosen editing app and start a new project. Import the video clips you plan to use for your Short from your phone's gallery.

Step 2: Add and Animate Your Text

Find the text tool in the app's toolbar. You'll immediately notice more options than YouTube offers:

• A Huge Font Library: Most apps have hundreds of free fonts, and some even let you import your own custom brand fonts.
• Animation Effects: You can make text fade in, pop up, slide in from the side, or even animate character by character. These small animations can make your video feel much more dynamic.
• Advanced Customization: Adjust spacing between letters (kerning), add outlines (strokes), drop shadows, gradients, and more to make your text truly unique.

Step 3: Edit and Finalize Your Video

Like in the YouTube app, you can drag the text layers on an editing timeline to control when they appear and disappear. This is also where you can add background music, an intro clip, or other visual effects.

Step 4: Export and Upload to YouTube

Once your video is perfect, export it to your phone. Make sure you use the right settings: typically a 9:16 aspect ratio and 1080p resolution for the best quality on Shorts. From there, simply open the YouTube app and upload this final, edited video file as a Short.

Pro Tips for Text That Grabs Attention

Just adding text isn't enough, you need to add the right text in the right way. Here are some best practices to follow.

1. Readability Is Your #1 Priority

If people can't read your text easily, it serves no purpose.

• Contrast is your friend: Use light-colored text on dark backgrounds and dark-colored text on light backgrounds. If the background is too busy, use the text background/highlight feature or add an outline.
• Go big and bold: Flimsy, thin fonts are hard to read on a small phone screen. Choose bold, clean fonts.
• Keep it simple: Super fancy script fonts can be hard to read at a glance. Prioritize clarity over complex style.

2. Keep it Short and Sweet

Your video is only 60 seconds max. No one has time to read paragraphs. Use short sentences or even single words to emphasize key moments. Think of your text less like subtitles and more like dynamic headlines.

3. Be Aware of the "Safe Zones"

YouTube's interface covers parts of the screen. The very bottom of a Short is where the channel name, description, and engagement icons live. The right side has the like, comment, and share buttons. Avoid placing your text in these areas, as it will be cut off or covered. The safest place for important text is usually near the center of the screen, tilting slightly towards the top.

4. Sync Your Text with the Action

Don't just slap text over a clip. Use the timeline editor to make your text appear exactly when something important happens to add emphasis. Think of it like a visual sound effect. When a surprising moment happens, make the word "WAIT!" pop up on screen at the same time.

Final Thoughts

Adding text to your YouTube Shorts is a powerful technique for creating more accessible, engaging, and professional-looking content. Whether you use the simple tools inside the YouTube app or opt for the greater creative freedom of a third-party editor, mastering the use of text gives your content an undeniable edge in a crowded feed.

Planning and creating engaging short-form videos is just one part of the puzzle. The other is managing and scheduling that content consistently and without the headache. At Postbase, we built our platform specifically for how content works today, which means short-form video comes first. By using a content calendar to plan your videos ahead and then scheduling them reliably across all your platforms, you can be sure your hard work actually gets seen by your audience.