How to use the transparent subtitle maker
- Set the text, size, position, colors and outline, and choose the in and out animations. The preview above updates at once.
- Set the hold time and frames per second and the duration and frame count are shown.
- Use button ① to get a transparent PNG sequence ZIP and import it as an image sequence in your editor. You can also get ② APNG or ③ WebM if needed.
Why use transparent subtitles
Using the editor's own caption tool is easy, but when you want to reuse the same effect across videos or overlay captions made in another tool, an image with a transparent background is convenient. A transparent PNG holds only the letters, outline and shadow, and everything else has alpha 0, so it overlays any video naturally.
An animated subtitle is a series of transparent PNGs played in sequence. This tool draws and saves one frame at a time, changing opacity, position, size and the number of visible characters over time. The total length is the in-animation time plus the hold time plus the out-animation time.
Choosing how to save
For editors, a PNG sequence is the most reliable and keeps transparency exactly. Even with many frames, images with only text are small. APNG is handy for putting straight into web pages, messengers and some apps, but check that it is supported.
WebM gives you a single video file, which is convenient, but whether the browser keeps the transparent background while recording differs by environment. If transparency does not show, use the PNG sequence. The font is drawn with your device's font, so if you need a specific font, make the subtitle in your editor.
Tips for readable subtitles
- Use bright text with a dark outline so it reads on any background.
- Keep it short, within two lines at a time.
- Make the text large enough to read on mobile.
- Give a hold time proportional to the amount of text.
- Short, simple motion does not get in the way of reading.
FAQ
How do I use a transparent PNG sequence?
In editors such as Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut and CapCut, unzip the file and choose "image sequence" when importing the first frame, and it comes in as one clip. Match the frame rate to the one you used here. The transparent background lets it overlay video directly.
How do APNG and WebM differ?
APNG is an animated transparent PNG that plays directly in web browsers and some apps, but most editors do not support it. WebM is a video file that can carry transparency (alpha), but whether the browser keeps transparency while recording differs by environment, so it is kept as an experimental option here.
It says there are too many frames.
Up to 600 frames can be made at once. Shorten the hold time or lower the frames per second. For subtitles, 24 to 30 frames per second is smooth enough.
Notes & limitations
WebM transparency depends on the browser and is not guaranteed. You are responsible for the copyright of the fonts and content you use. Everything is processed in the browser and nothing is sent to a server.