How to Add a Title to a TikTok Video

A great TikTok video often grabs your attention before you've even heard the audio, and that's usually thanks to a killer on-screen title. Getting that hook right is the difference between a scroll-stopper and a video that gets swiped away in a fraction of a second. This guide breaks down exactly how to add a title to a TikTok video, from the basic steps to creative strategies that will help you boost views and engagement.

Why Your TikTok Title Matters So Much

In the fast-paced world of TikTok's "For You" page, a video has less than a second to capture interest. The on-screen title - the text you lay directly over your video footage - is your first, and sometimes only, chance to convince someone to watch. It's not the same as your caption, the title functions as a headline, providing immediate context and a reason to stay.

A well-crafted title can:

• Stop the Scroll: An intriguing question or a punchy statement makes people curious.
• Set Expectations: It tells the viewer exactly what they're in for, whether it's a tutorial, a storytime, or a funny "Point of View" (POV) clip.
• Increase Watch Time: When the title promises value or a satisfying conclusion, viewers are more likely to stick around until the end.

How to Add a Title to a TikTok Video (The Step-by-Step Guide)

Adding a basic title is straightforward once you know where to look. Here's how to do it inside the TikTok editor, which is where most creators add their text overlays.

Step 1: Record or Upload Your Video

Start by either recording your video directly in the TikTok app or uploading a pre-edited clip from your camera roll. Once your footage is ready, tap the red checkmark at the bottom right to proceed to the main editing screen.

Step 2: Add Your Text

On the right-hand side of the editing screen, you'll see a collection of icons. Tap the "Text" icon (it looks like "Aa"). This will open up a text entry field where you can type out your title.

Step 3: Customize Your Title's Appearance

Don't just stick with the default settings. A title that stands out visually is much more effective. After typing your text, you'll see several customization options:

• Fonts: TikTok offers a variety of fonts. Choose one that matches your video's vibe and, most importantly, is easy to read. A clear, bold font is usually better than a script that's hard to decipher on a small screen.
• Color: Tap the color circles to change your text color. Think about contrast! A light-colored font will disappear on a bright background, while a dark font might be lost in shadows.
• Background/Highlight: By tapping the 'A' icon with a square around it, you can add a solid or semi-transparent background color to your text. This is a game-changer for readability, as it makes your title pop regardless of what's happening in the video behind it.
• Alignment: Use the alignment icon (usually lines on the left) to make your text left-aligned, centered, or right-aligned. For most titles, centered text works best.

Step 4: Position and Resize Your Title

Once your title is styled, tap "Done" in the corner. You'll return to the video preview. From here, you can:

• Move it: Place a finger on the text and drag it anywhere on the screen. A common practice is to place it near the top of the video, leaving room for the caption and interface elements at the bottom. Be mindful of the "safe zones" - avoid placing text too close to the edges where it might be cut off.
• Resize it: Use two fingers to pinch and zoom, making the title larger or smaller.
• Rotate it: Use a twisting motion with two fingers to rotate the title to an angle.

Step 5: Set the Title's Duration

Maybe you don't want your title to stay on screen for the entire video. For introductions or a quick punchline, you can set the exact time it appears and disappears.

1. Tap on the text overlay you just placed on your video. An option will pop up that says "Set duration."
2. Tap it to open a timeline editor at the bottom of the screen.
3. You'll see a red bar representing your title's duration. Drag the start and end sliders to define exactly when the text appears and when it goes away.
4. This is great for creating a "Part 1" intro title that vanishes after a few seconds or for revealing lines of text one by one to tell a story.

After you've set the duration, tap the checkmark. Your title is now perfectly placed and timed. Proceed to the final posting screen to add your caption, hashtags, and select a cover.

Beyond the Basics: Creative Title Strategies for Higher Engagement

Knowing how to add a title is just the first step. Knowing what to write and how to frame it is what gets you views. Here are some proven title strategies that consistently perform well.

1. The Powerful Hook Question

Ask a provocative or highly relatable question to create immediate curiosity. The brain is wired to seek answers, making this an effective way to hold attention.

• "Did you know you've been using your air fryer wrong?"
• "Is this the most beautiful hiking spot in California?"
• "Why did nobody tell me about this travel hack sooner?"

2. The "POV" and "PSA" Formula

"Point of View" (POV) content places the viewer in a specific, often humorous or relatable, situation. A "Public Service Announcement" (PSA) frames your tip or advice as something official and important.

• POV: "POV: You're on a work Zoom call trying not to laugh."
• PSA: "PSA for all freelancers: START DOING THIS NOW"

3. The Cliffhanger for Series Content

If you have a story that takes more than one video to tell or a project with multiple steps, use titles to build a series. This encourages viewers not only to finish the current video but also to follow you for the next installment.

• "Unpacking my weirdest thrift store find: Part 1"
• "Turning my boring backyard into an oasis - Day 1"
• "Rating every coffee shop in my city (1/25)"

4. The Direct Value Promise

Tell the viewer exactly what they will get by watching. This is highly effective for educational or tutorial-style content because it promises a tangible takeaway.

• "3 Excel tricks that will save you hours"
• "How I make a week's worth of healthy lunches in 1 hour"
• "This app saved me $500 on my last flight"

Don't Forget Your Cover: Creating a Titled Thumbnail

The on-screen title hooks viewers on the For You page, but the cover (or thumbnail) is what sells your video to people visiting your profile page directly. Organizing your content with clear, titled thumbnails turns a chaotic profile grid into an easy-to-browse library, encouraging people to watch more of your videos.

Here's how to add a title to your cover on the Post screen:

1. After finishing all your video edits, tap "Next."
2. On the final "Post" screen where you write your caption, look at the video preview and tap "Select cover."
3. You can drag along the filmstrip at the bottom to choose a frame from your video.
4. Next, choose one of the pre-designed text templates and type in your cover title. Make it short, bold, and descriptive (e.g., "Paris Vlog," "Lasagna Recipe," "Skincare Haul").
5. Reposition the text on the cover frame and hit "Save."

Keeping a consistent style for your cover titles is a professional touch that seriously elevates your brand. It shows viewers you're organized and helps them quickly find the content they're most interested in on your profile.

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Adding TikTok Titles

1. Making It Unreadable. The single biggest mistake is choosing a font color that clashes with the background. Using a feature like a text background or outline is a simple fix for that. And avoid overly scripted fonts that are hard to read at a glance.
2. Placing it in the "Clutter Zone." TikTok overlays its own UI elements on the bottom and right side of the screen (your username, caption, likes, comments, etc.). If you place your title there, it will be unreadable. Keep titles in the upper-center or left-center portion of the screen.
3. Making the Title and Caption Redundant. The on-screen title is the headline - big, bold, and short. The caption is for adding more context, asking a question to spark comments, and including your relevant hashtags. Don't waste valuable title space with hashtags or user tags.

Final Thoughts

Adding a title to your TikTok video is a simple technical task, but mastering the art of the on-screen hook takes practice. Think of your title as the headline of an article, the cover of a book, or the subject line of an email - it needs to make a direct promise and an immediate impression to stop the scroll and get your content the attention it deserves.

We built Postbase from the ground up to solve the real-world problems creators and marketers face, which is why our platform is designed for a video-first world. Planning your Reels, Shorts, and TikToks is seamless in our visual calendar, so you can see your entire video strategy laid out. Since we handle video natively and prioritize reliable scheduling, you can feel confident that your awesome, perfectly-titled content goes live exactly when it's supposed to, without a second thought.