📲 How to Add Text to TikTok Videos (Step-by-Step — With Detailed Tips)

Let’s walk through each step in more detail so you can get the most out of TikTok’s built-in text tools and create professional-looking content in minutes.

Step 1: Record or Upload Your Video

Open the TikTok app and tap the “+” button at the bottom center of the screen.
You’ll have two options:

• Record a new video by holding the red record button.
• Upload an existing video from your device by tapping “Upload” on the bottom right.

You can also trim your clip, rearrange clips, or add multiple clips before proceeding.

💡 Tip: Keep your video concise and punchy. TikTok viewers usually have short attention spans—get to the point quickly!

Step 2: Tap the ‘Text (Aa)’ Tool

Once your video is ready and you're on the editing screen, tap the “Text (Aa)” icon located at the bottom toolbar. This will open a text input field with formatting options.

📝 Tip: Think about what you want the text to say before typing, especially if you want to emphasize a hook, quote, or call to action.

Step 3: Type Your Text

Type the words or phrases you want to add to your video. You can break it up into separate text boxes if you want different words to appear at different times.

For example, use short, impactful phrases like:

• “Wait for it…”
• “Did you know this?”
• “3 Quick Tips…”

🎯 Tip: Use power words and keep it short and snappy. TikTok users skim quickly, so long sentences might be missed.

Step 4: Customize Your Text Style

This is where you can make your text pop visually.

You can customize:

• Font style: Choose from multiple fonts like Classic, Typewriter, Handwriting, Serif, and more.
• Text alignment: Left, center, or right.
• Color: Pick from a wide color palette.
• Backgrounds: Add a solid background behind your text to increase visibility.
• Bold effect: Highlight specific words using bold or uppercase styling.

🎨 Tip: Use bright, contrasting colors for better visibility—especially against busy video backgrounds.

Step 5: Set the Text Timing (Text Duration)

Want your text to appear and disappear at the right moments? Here's how:

• Tap the text box once after adding it.
• Select “Set Duration” from the pop-up menu.
• A timeline slider will appear at the bottom.
• Drag the red bars to adjust when the text appears and disappears in your video.

You can repeat this for each individual text box to time them perfectly with:

• Specific scenes
• Voiceovers
• Music beats
• Actions in the video

⏱️ Pro Tip: Match your text with audio cues or transitions for a more dynamic effect. Viewers love that extra polish!

Step 6: Preview Your Video

Before publishing:

• Tap Play to see how your text looks in real-time with your video.
• Double-check:
  • Timing syncs well
  • Text is readable
  • There are no typos
  • It doesn’t block important visuals

Make any final tweaks to the position or duration of each text box.

✅ Tip: Preview it a couple of times—you might catch small mistakes that can be easily fixed before posting.

Step 7: Post Your Video

Once you're satisfied:

• Tap “Next” in the bottom-right corner.
• Add your caption, relevant hashtags, and adjust privacy settings.
• Hit “Post”—and you’re done!

🚀 Your TikTok is now live—with engaging, well-timed text overlays that grab attention!

💡 Bonus Tips for Better Text Engagement

• ✅ Use high-contrast colors for readability
• ✅ Add captions if you’re speaking (great for sound-off viewers)
• ✅ Use text to guide your audience (“Watch till the end”, “Wait for it…”)
• ✅ Combine text with effects and stickers for more impact

🎯 Want to Make TikTok Editing Even Easier?

If you want to level up your video editing game beyond TikTok’s basic tools, try ClipGenie.

ClipGenie helps creators:

• Generate scroll-stopping video hooks
• Add text templates in a snap
• Create high-performing short-form content that gets more views and engagement—fast.

👉 Try it now at https://www.clipgenie.io/

✍️ Final Thoughts

Adding text to TikTok videos takes less than 5 minutes—but the impact it makes can be huge. It grabs attention, improves accessibility, and makes your videos stand out in a crowded feed.

So next time you're creating content, don’t skip the text—it might just be the thing that gets you more likes, shares, and followers.