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To hardcode subtitles into a video with HandBrake, add or select the subtitle track in the Subtitles tab, enable Burn In for that track, then encode and check the exported video. Burned subtitles become part of the picture and cannot be switched off. If viewers should be able to hide or change them, use a selectable subtitle track instead.
Before you start: choose burned-in or selectable subtitles
HandBrake defines a hard burn as writing subtitles on top of the image permanently. They will appear wherever the video is played, but viewers cannot toggle them off. A soft subtitle remains a separate track; viewers can select it only in compatible containers and players.
- Choose Burn In when subtitles must always be visible or the destination does not reliably support selectable tracks.
- Choose a soft track when viewers should be able to turn subtitles off or choose among languages. Confirm that both the container and playback platform support the track.
HandBrake documents support for user-supplied SRT files, embedded text subtitles such as SRT, ASS and closed captions, and bitmap subtitles from DVD or Blu-ray sources. Its handling of tracks varies by container, so decide on the destination and track behavior before encoding. HandBrake subtitle documentation
Hardcode subtitles in the HandBrake GUI
- Open your video. Launch HandBrake and open the source file. If it has embedded subtitles, identify the correct language and track before proceeding.
- Open the Subtitles tab. Add or select the embedded subtitle track, or import the separate subtitle file, such as an SRT.
- Enable Burn In for the track. HandBrake can burn only one subtitle track into an encoded file. Select the burn-in option for the single track you want permanently visible.
- Check SRT text and timing. If the imported SRT displays missing or incorrect characters, check its character encoding. HandBrake warns that a wrong character code can prevent a subtitle track from appearing and cause player problems. If subtitles are early or late, use the SRT offset adjustment in milliseconds; test a representative section before encoding the full video.
- Choose an output container for the destination. See the format notes below if you also need selectable tracks or use PGS subtitles.
- Encode, then check the export. Play the result and inspect the beginning, middle and end. Check synchronization, spelling, line breaks, contrast and framing, including whether text covers important picture detail.
Choose a container that fits the subtitle job
| Container | What HandBrake documents | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| MP4 | HandBrake documents burning one subtitle into the video; it does not document passing through PGS. | Use burn-in when subtitles must be visible in the image. Check the intended player for support before relying on a soft track. |
| MKV | HandBrake documents passing through multiple PGS tracks and burning one subtitle. | Choose this when you need supported PGS tracks to remain selectable, or burn one track for permanent visibility. |
| WebM | The cited HandBrake documentation supports hard subtitles, not soft subtitles. | Use burn-in if subtitles are needed in this output; verify compatibility with the destination. |
These are HandBrake format capabilities, not a guarantee that every playback device or platform supports every soft subtitle track. HandBrake also documents that burned ASS/SSA subtitles preserve their styling, while passed-through text in MP4 may preserve fewer styling attributes. HandBrake subtitle formats and behavior
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Burn subtitles with HandBrakeCLI
For command-line encoding, HandBrakeCLI documents --subtitle-burned for burning a selected subtitle track and --srt-burn for burning an imported SRT. Track indexes depend on the tracks supplied by your source, so do not copy an assumed index: check the current CLI reference and adapt the command to the actual input.
For example, the options belong in a command shaped like this; replace the placeholders with the correct source, destination and track index for your file:
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HandBrakeCLI -i "input-video" -o "output-video" --subtitle-burned=<track-index>
For an external SRT, use the documented SRT import and burn options for your installed HandBrake version. Check the current HandBrakeCLI command-line reference for required option syntax and track mapping rather than assuming an index or importing syntax.
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Fix common hard-subtitle problems
- No subtitles in the export: Confirm that the intended track was added or selected and that Burn In is enabled for it. For an SRT, check the character encoding; HandBrake notes that an incorrect character code can result in no subtitle track.
- Wrong language or dialogue: Reopen the source’s subtitle list and verify the selected track before encoding. Sources can contain several languages or subtitle types.
- Subtitles are out of sync: For SRT input, adjust the offset in milliseconds, then encode and review a short representative section to confirm the correction.
- Text looks wrong or loses styling: Check the subtitle source and output format. HandBrake documents preservation of ASS/SSA styling when burned; passed-through text in MP4 may retain fewer styling attributes.
- Text is cut off, hard to read or covers key action: Review the encoded video at the size and aspect ratio used for delivery. Check line breaks, contrast and placement across different scenes before sharing it.
- A selectable track does not appear in the player: Check support in both the chosen container and the specific destination player. A burned subtitle is part of the image; a soft track depends on compatible playback support.
Or let it run in the cloud
If the finished video is for a continuous YouTube channel, StreamNeo can loop uploaded videos from the cloud after you add your YouTube stream key. The subtitle workflow above still applies: encode the video with burned-in subtitles first if they must always appear.
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