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Add text to a GIF

Put a caption or meme text on any GIF, in the same caption styles creators use on their videos, and download the new GIF. Free, with no watermark and no signup. It runs in your browser, so your GIF never leaves your device.

Drop a GIF here

Animated or still, up to 30 MB

Your GIF never leaves your device. The text is added in your browser.

Text size
Words

How to add text to a GIF

To add text to a GIF, open it in the tool above and type your caption in the Bottom text box, the Top text box, or both. Pick a style and a text size, and choose whether the words show all at once or one by one. The preview plays your GIF with the text on every frame. Then click Download GIF to save a new animated GIF with the text built in. It is free, adds no watermark, and your GIF never leaves your device.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Open your GIF

    Drop a GIF onto the tool or choose one from your device. Animated and still GIFs both work.

  2. Step 2

    Type your text

    Add a caption at the bottom, a line at the top, or both. Long lines wrap to fit the GIF.

  3. Step 3

    Pick a style

    Choose one of 28 caption styles and a text size. The preview plays your GIF with the text as you change it.

  4. Step 4

    Download the GIF

    Save a new GIF with the text on every frame, at the same size and speed.

What you get

  • Your text on every frame of the GIF, at its original size and speed, looping the way it did before.
  • The 28 caption styles from the AutoSubtitles video editor, from clean white subtitles to bold, outlined meme text.
  • Words that appear all at once, or one by one as the GIF plays, with the current word lit up in styles like Karaoke and Highlight.
  • Top text, bottom text or both. Long lines wrap so they stay inside the GIF.
  • No watermark, no signup and no upload. The new GIF is made on your device.

Want captions on a video?

Upload your video and AutoSubtitles writes the captions from the speech, then burns them in with the same styles, word by word. Free to start, with no account.

Upload your video

Frequently asked questions

How do I add text to a GIF?

Open the GIF in the tool at the top of this page, type your text in the Bottom text or Top text box, and pick a style. When the preview looks right, click Download GIF. You get a new GIF with the text on every frame.

Can I add a caption to a GIF for free?

Yes. The GIF caption maker is free, needs no account, and adds no watermark to your GIF.

Will my GIF still move?

Yes. Every frame is kept, with the same timing and looping as the original. The text is drawn onto each frame, so it shows wherever the GIF is posted.

Can I make the words appear one at a time?

Yes. Choose Word by word and the words appear as the GIF plays, then the whole line stays up until the GIF loops. Styles such as Karaoke and Highlight also light up the word being shown.

Does it work with transparent GIFs?

Yes. Transparent areas stay transparent. GIFs can’t store partly see-through pixels, so soft edges become either fully clear or solid.

Is there a size limit?

GIFs can be up to 30 MB. A very long or very large GIF may be too big to edit in a browser; the tool tells you if so, and a shorter or smaller GIF will work.

Is my GIF uploaded anywhere?

No. Your browser opens the GIF, draws the text and makes the new file on your device. Nothing is sent to a server.

Can I add captions to a video instead?

Yes. Upload your video to AutoSubtitles and it writes the captions from the speech, then burns them in with the same styles. The free plan exports up to 720p with a small watermark, for videos up to 10 minutes.

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