Reel captions · For creators
Auto captions for Reels: animated, word-timed subtitles
Reel captions is Distinct's auto-caption tool for short-form video: upload a reel, every spoken word is transcribed and timed (English, Hindi, or Hinglish), and you pick an animated caption style, fix any word, and export an MP4 with the captions burned in. It is included on every plan, Free too, and costs 2 AI credits per minute of video.
How it works
1. Upload a reel
Drop in an MP4 or MOV up to 3 minutes and choose the spoken language. Hindi can be written in English letters, the way most creators type Hinglish.
2. Every word is timed
Only the audio is sent to be transcribed. In about half a minute each word comes back with its timing, and the important words are already marked as keywords.
3. Pick a style and fix anything
Choose a style, then change the font, size, colours, outline, animation, and position. Click any word to correct it, mark it as a keyword, add an emoji, or start a new line.
4. Export
Download the video with the captions burned in as an MP4, or a .srt subtitle file to upload separately. Exporting again is free.
What's included
Word-level timing
Captions follow speech word by word, so the word being said can pop, bounce, change colour, or get a highlight box.
Eight styles to start from
From big uppercase words with a thick outline to clean two-line podcast subtitles, karaoke fill, boxed text, a moving highlighter, and a heavy Devanagari style for Hindi script.
Hindi and Hinglish
Speech that switches between Hindi and English is transcribed as spoken, in Devanagari or in English letters.
Full control over the look
Eight open-licence fonts, text and keyword colours, outline, shadow, background box, words per line, position, and emojis.
Instagram safe area
Turn on the guides to see what the Instagram buttons and caption cover, and keep your captions clear of them.
Saved projects
Every captioned reel is saved, so you can reopen it, restyle it, and export it again without paying for the transcription twice.
What makes it different
- Your video stays on your device
- Only the audio track is uploaded for transcription. The video is kept in your browser and the MP4 is rendered there, so nothing large is uploaded and nothing waits in a render queue.
- Next to the rest of your content work
- The same workspace writes the hook and script before you film and the caption after, so the captions are one more step, not another subscription.
What it does not do
- Free includes 10 one-time credits, enough for about 5 minutes of video. Pro and Max renew credits monthly.
- Videos up to 3 minutes and 500 MB. Transcription costs 2 credits per started minute.
- It adds captions only. It does not cut, trim, or otherwise edit the video.
- MP4 export runs in the browser and needs Chrome, Edge, or Safari 17 or later. Other browsers can download a .srt file.
- The video is stored in your browser, so opening a project on another device asks you to pick the same file again.
Common questions
- How do I add animated captions to an Instagram Reel?
- In Distinct, open Studio, then Reel captions, and upload the reel. Every word is transcribed and timed, you pick a caption style, and you export an MP4 with the captions burned in, ready to post.
- Does it work for Hindi and Hinglish videos?
- Yes. Pick Hindi or Hinglish as the spoken language. Hinglish follows speech that switches between Hindi and English, and you can choose to see Hindi written in English letters or in Devanagari.
- Can I get captions like big creators use?
- The styles cover the common looks: big uppercase words with the spoken word lit up, clean podcast subtitles with highlighted keywords, karaoke fill, and boxed text. Search the style list by the look you have in mind, then adjust the font and colours.
- How much do Reel captions cost?
- 2 AI credits per started minute of video, so a 45-second reel is 2 credits and a 1:40 reel is 4. Editing, restyling, and exporting are free. Reel captions work on every plan: Free's 10 one-time credits cover about 5 minutes of video, Pro ($4.99 a month) includes 50 credits and Max ($19 a month) 200. Every plan is free during the beta.
- Is my video uploaded?
- No. Only the audio is sent for transcription. The video stays in your browser and the captioned MP4 is rendered on your device.
Learn more
More from Distinct
Start using Reel captions
Free while we're in private beta. No card required.