Updated Easy Ways to Add Text Overlay to Video for 2024

Easy Ways to Add Text Overlay to Video

Text overlay refers to adding a text element over a video scene. The viewers will see your text elements appear on the screen while watching the video. Adding text overlay is quite common in videos and movies. Starting from showing credits in intro and outro of video to showing topics and important points to emphasize on them, text overlay is highly useful.

If you want to add text overlay video, you will need a video editor on your device. Every video editor has text overlay option, but you need to choose that video editor which offers a wide range of text overlay options. We will illustrate how to add text overlay to your video on your computer, smartphone, as well as online from your web browser.

Part 1. Add Text Overlay to Video on PC

If you are a Windows user and you are looking for an all-around video editor, we recommend Wondershare Filmora . It is a professional video editor, and it is quite popular among regular video creators. Filmora has a diverse collection of video, audio, and text effects. You can also use transitions and elements as per your requirements. Here are the steps to add video overlay video in Filmora.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Step1 Download and install Wondershare Filmora for Windows. Launch the application and click on New Project.

Step2 Import your video file into Project Media folder and drop it on Timeline.

Step3 Go to Titles option at the top and you will find different categories of text styles to apply to your video.

Step4 Select any category and any desired text style and drop it on Timeline. Place the text to that position on Timeline where you want the text to appear on the video.

Step5 Double-click on Text layer present on Timeline and customize the text label and other parameters as per your requirements.

Step6 Finally, play the video and click on Export button to save the video on your hard drive.

Part 2. Add Text Overlay to Video on Mac

When it comes to editing videos on Mac, iMovie is a popular choice. This is because iMovie is an Apple product and it comes pre-installed on Mac. Adding text to your video is super easy on iMovie. There are different types of text styles available and here are the steps to add video overlay using iMovie.

Step1 Open iMovie from Applications folder. Click on Create New button and thereafter, click on Import Media button to bring in your video clip.

Step2 Drag and drop the video file from Media folder to Timeline. Select Titles at the top and you will see different text styles. Place your mouse pointer over them to preview them. Drag and drop any desired text style on Timeline and place it where you want it to appear in the video.

Step3 Edit the text from Preview Screen instantly. You can also change font, size, and other text elements.

Step4 If you are satisfied with the text overlay, go to File> Share> File to export the video file.

Part 3. Add Text Overlay to Video on iPhone

If you have captured a video on your iPhone and you want to add some texts over the video, you can do it instantly with iMovie app. Yes, iMovie app from Apple is available for iPhone as well. There is no need to transfer the video file to your PC or Mac for text overlay video. Here are the steps to follow.

Step1 Open iMovie app and tap on Plus icon to import your video clip to iMovie.

Step2 Tap on the video clip and tap on “T” icon located at the bottom.

Step3 You need to choose the text style as per your preference from the bottom.

Step4 Tap on the Viewer to place the default text and tap on Edit option to change the text as per your requirements.

Step5 You can also reposition the text as well as adjust the size, font, as well as color. When you are satisfied, tap on Done.

Part 5. Add Text Overlay to Video Online

If you are not a regular video creator and you edit video rarely, installing an app on your phone or computer is going to be useless. You can use an online video editor to add text overlay to your video. This can be done on any device starting from smartphones to computers. Here are the steps to add overlay video online.

Step1 Open your web browser and visit “online-video-cutter.com/add-text-to-video”. Click on Open File button and select your video file from your storage device.

Step2 Wait for the video to get uploaded. Move the playhead on video navigation panel to where you want to add the text overlay. Click on Add Text button from the top.

Step3 Click on the video where you want to place the text and type in the required text.

Step4 Select the text and below the navigation panel, you will find all the tools to customize the text as per your preference.

Step5 Once done and you are satisfied, click on Save button.

Conclusion

Adding text overlay to video is a basic operation in video editing. We have illustrated how you can use iMovie for Mac as well as iPhone to add text overlay video. For Windows users, Filmora is the perfect video editor with different categories of tile and text styles to add text to any video. Furthermore, you can use the online video editor for text overlay video on the go.

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Step1 Download and install Wondershare Filmora for Windows. Launch the application and click on New Project.

Step2 Import your video file into Project Media folder and drop it on Timeline.

Step3 Go to Titles option at the top and you will find different categories of text styles to apply to your video.

Step4 Select any category and any desired text style and drop it on Timeline. Place the text to that position on Timeline where you want the text to appear on the video.

Step5 Double-click on Text layer present on Timeline and customize the text label and other parameters as per your requirements.

Step6 Finally, play the video and click on Export button to save the video on your hard drive.

Part 2. Add Text Overlay to Video on Mac

Step1 Open iMovie from Applications folder. Click on Create New button and thereafter, click on Import Media button to bring in your video clip.

Step3 Edit the text from Preview Screen instantly. You can also change font, size, and other text elements.

Step4 If you are satisfied with the text overlay, go to File> Share> File to export the video file.

Part 3. Add Text Overlay to Video on iPhone

Step1 Open iMovie app and tap on Plus icon to import your video clip to iMovie.

Step2 Tap on the video clip and tap on “T” icon located at the bottom.

Step3 You need to choose the text style as per your preference from the bottom.

Step4 Tap on the Viewer to place the default text and tap on Edit option to change the text as per your requirements.

Step5 You can also reposition the text as well as adjust the size, font, as well as color. When you are satisfied, tap on Done.

Part 5. Add Text Overlay to Video Online

Step1 Open your web browser and visit “online-video-cutter.com/add-text-to-video”. Click on Open File button and select your video file from your storage device.

Step2 Wait for the video to get uploaded. Move the playhead on video navigation panel to where you want to add the text overlay. Click on Add Text button from the top.

Step3 Click on the video where you want to place the text and type in the required text.

Step4 Select the text and below the navigation panel, you will find all the tools to customize the text as per your preference.

Step5 Once done and you are satisfied, click on Save button.

Conclusion

Difference Between Time Lapse and Hyperlapse

You’ve probably heard the terms “hyperlapse” and “timelapse” before. Whether it was in a blog post, a how-to guide, or on your preferred social media platform. Each of us has seen at least one image of one of them. However, what makes a difference? You’re about to learn in this article!

With that said, let’s begin!

Part 1. What is a timelapse, and how is it used?

Timelapses are familiar to you, whether they were used in a series to demonstrate a swift change from night today or at the beginning of your favorite influencer’s vlog. But exactly what is it? The term “timelapse” refers to a photography method in which static images are stitched together to produce a time-warping video. When the video is played, the time seems to pass more quickly, creating the illusion that time is slipping away.

Put your camera in a fixed position, stop it from moving, panning, or tilting, then record for a long time to make your own timelapse. This period of time could last for five minutes, an hour, days, or even years. Once the film is gathered, all that’s left to do is speed everything up.

The fact that time-lapses make for a pleasant visual effect is what makes them so popular in Vlogs and other media. This method enables you to describe the passage of time, the movement of individuals through space, etc. utilizes time-lapse.

Part 2. What is a hyperlapse?

On the other side, there are these things that we refer to as hyperlapses. In the subgenre of time-lapse photography known as cinematography, a hyperlapse is a filmmaking method used to generate motion shots by capturing movies rather than taking images. In order to create a hyperlapse, the camera does not remain stationary; rather, it follows the subject around and is typically held by the photographer.

The amount of time that elapses between pictures in a stop-motion video typically ranges from tenths of a second up to a few fractions of a second, although this can change significantly depending on what you want to show. However, after you have picked it, it must remain consistent in the same way that the timelapse does.

The attractive 3D look that hyperlapse produces is the primary draw for its utilization. The hyperlapse that is formed can produce a dreamy image, regardless of whether the camera is attached to a moving vehicle or is mounted on a tripod that is moving towards its target.

Additionally, you may use this approach to make stunning photographs with motion blur by employing long exposures. In most cases, the final image will be stabilized in post-production in order to eliminate some of the flaws that may have been captured in the original photo.

Part 3. What differentiates them from each other?

The movement of the camera is what differentiates these two approaches the most from one another. When capturing a time lapse, the camera is kept relatively still and in the same position throughout. In addition, when you use a hyperlapse, the camera is continuously moving, which creates a 3D appearance in the image.

You could be scratching your head right about now, wondering when you should employ one of the two methods. If your subject is moving, you should take a time-lapse photograph; if the camera is moving, you should take a hyperlapse photograph. This question has a relatively straightforward answer.

The act of recording video for a hyperlapse can cause your storage to be filled up really rapidly. Therefore, you may wish to swap between the two methods depending on the length of time that you want to shoot for. If you are going to be filming for a significant amount of time, you should consider using a timelapse.

It is simple to determine the timelapse interval if you already know these answers. Choose the video’s final frame rate. It may be 24, 25, or 30 fps. You shouldn’t select more quickly. Choose the option that best fits your audience and location. Additionally, a time-lapse calculator is available.

The shoot time should then be converted to seconds. For instance, two hours are equal to 2 x 60 x 60 seconds, or 7200 seconds. Determine how many frames are required for your chosen timelapse now. For instance, the final product should be 30 seconds of 25fps video. You’ll need to capture 750 frames in total because 30 x 25 is 750.

Divide the time (7200s in this case) by the number of frames to obtain the interval (750). You can round up the result, which is 9.6, which is pretty near to 10 seconds. Therefore, in our case, your interval should be set to 10s.

Part 4. Motion control timelapse

Now that we understand how the timelapse images that are static are created, we are able to incorporate some movement into the shots that are static. Moving the camera around during a timelapse is much more difficult than it appears to be in the video. Every movement of the camera is slowed down when using slow motion, which means that you can make even a shaky handheld movie look good when using slow motion. The situation is completely reversed while viewing a timelapse.

Because every movement of the camera is sped up, shooting with the handheld mode is nearly impossible. If you want the camera to appear to be moving slowly in the final timelapse, you will need to move it very slowly while shooting in order to achieve this effect.

For this reason, we will need to make use of motion control devices in order to accomplish our goal. Therefore, we refer to these kinds of photos as motion control timelapses. The camera can be moved very slowly and accurately along one, two, or all three axes using motors that are controlled electronically. The three-axis systems, which include a slider as well as a pan-tilt head, are by far the most popular.

Extra Info: Best Time Lapse Video Maker – Filmora

To create a time lapse video with cool effects, you can use the best video editor with rich effects – Filmora . This software offers many video speed change settings and creative effects to help make a time lapse video easily. Just download the software on your PC or Mac and then start creating a video on your own.

Conclusion

The finest results can be achieved by utilizing a variety of filmmaking approaches concurrently. Therefore, you shouldn’t be afraid to try out new things by combining time-lapse photography with slow motion and video. In addition, make sure you visit the Hyperlapse Academy so you can become familiar with all of the different approaches. Use your imagination, and don’t stop firing.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

The Ultimate Guide to Countdown Animation in Videos

Many online marketers find that the animated countdown timer is the perfect way to bring a visual element to their videos while maintaining the quality and effectiveness of the video itself.

There are many ways to show a countdown timer on videos using animated GIFs. But they can be hard to implement or could cost a lot of money. You can use some free services, but they are limited in terms of features.

But not to worry, this post will go through a detailed process of creating an animated timer with 3 different methods. Before that, let’s discuss the benefits of using a timer for videos.

Method 1: Make a Countdown Animation with a Professional Video Editing Software
Method 2: Generate the timer with Free Online Countdown Timer Video Generators
Method 3: Make a Countdown Timer with a Graphic Design Platform

Top 10 animated countdown effects to make your video like a Pro

What are the benefits of using a countdown timer for videos/live streams?

Countdowns are a great way to get your message across and get your viewers excited about your product or service. A countdown timer provides a very simple visual cue to help motivate yourself and your audience to start watching the video.

It also works well with vlogs and YouTube, seamlessly transitioning from one part of your video to the next. This works best when your video isn’t about the product itself (but rather a review, a demo, or something else that lends itself well to a countdown).

As you can see, the Vlogger uses a countdown timer at the beginning of his video. Vlogger uses a countdown timer to make it appear as if the time is running out because it adds urgency and suspense. As a viewer, you’ll want to hurry up and watch this video, so you don’t miss out on anything.

Let’s now dive deep into methods of creating countdown animation for videos.

Method 1: Make a Countdown Animation with a Professional Video Editing Software

The most common trend today is video content creation, and it’s everywhere. Videos are not only entertaining, but they have a significant impact on audience retention.

With a video editor, you can create compelling content that will entice your viewers to watch the whole thing. Moreover, it can also help you get started by adding captions, transitions, effects, etc.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

If you’re ready to make your next project more engaging and interactive, you can try the best video editing software, Wondershare Filmora !

Wondershare Filmora is the industry standard when it comes to editing video. The video editing software industry is filled with features that promise to be faster, smarter, and easier to use than others.

Moreover, Wondershare has Filmstock effects that have revolutionized the world of video creators.

Filmstock is a collection of videos ready to be used with Filmora that contains more than 1,000 free stock footage clips of various scenes and locations, plus video effects, transitions, and titles, to make creating professional-quality videos faster and easier.

Let’s see some of its features that help us make animation countdown timers easily.

Rich effects for you to choose customizing countdown animation at ease.
You’re not stuck with traditional slow motion in your videos; you can add dynamism and energy to your videos with smooth animations.
It has various countdown animation templates simplify the whole process, just drag-and-drop, everything gets done.

How to make a countdown animation with Filmora

You’re looking for an animated countdown timer for your website or your very first YouTube video, but you want one that stands out. You don’t want your visitors to think it’s generic or boring, so you’re thinking about how to make your countdown timer more interesting.

That’s where Filmora comes in. It’s an amazing tool that makes it easy to create countdown animations on websites or videos for almost any purpose. Let’s look at how to create your own cool, creative countdown timers using Filmora.

Step1Open Filmora and import the background video file from the media section.

Step2After importing the video, go to elements options from the top tab.

Step3After choosing elements, you’ll see the countdown tab on your left. Click on the countdown and choose any animation. You can adjust the animation duration, size, and audio.

Step4Adjust the animation duration according to the background video, and finally, export your animated countdown timer.

Pros and Cons of using Video Editing Software to make a countdown animation

Pros

You can save any countdown effects project as a project to be used in future videos.
You can create a vision of your brand concept in your way.
Free templates are available according to your brand and target audience.
More stable.

Cons

Standard out-of-the-box video editing software isn’t enough to create a professional-quality video.

Method 2: Generate the timer with Free Online Countdown Timer Video Generators

If you’re trying to catch your audience’s attention by giving them a reason to ‘countdown’ to something, then you’ll want to use a countdown timer with some great free online countdown videos.

There are many countdown timer websites like;Biteable ,Kapwing ,Movavi ,and MakeWebVideo . But we’ve rounded up the best countdown video generator site you’ll ever see:

FlexClip

FlexClip is a powerful yet easy-to-use online video editor. Its music library is versatile and high-quality. It lets you pick and add favorite tracks without infringing worries. Apply interesting editing to make your videos look better by adding transitions, filters, text, and more.

FlexClip’s biggest advantage is its extensive amount of free media assets. Whether you’re a master or rookie with FlexClip, you’re capable of producing excellent videos with music. You can be a video guru or a video beginner. You’re capable of producing awesome videos with great sound using FlexClip.

Key Features:

Provides a complete set of video-making processes.
A diverse range of royalty-free music selection
Loads of handy editing tools
Thousands of ready-made templates
Multiple advanced features like adding text, emoji, effects, and more

How to make a countdown animation with FlexClip

The FlexClip countdown creator is a leading video editor with many powerful features. To make your countdown video, click the Create a Video button below.

Step1Set Your Countdown Video Background

Set your timer to how long you want your message to start your countdown. Usually, it’s 10 seconds.

Then add scenes and adjust the duration of scenes to make them all length. You can use the background color to make it more appealing to your audience.

Step2Highlight Your Countdown with Animated Elements

Using the amazing elements, you can make your countdown interactive and much more fun. Just go to the sidebar and switch to the Elements options. Apply the elements you want, then customize them on size, position, and color.

Step3Add the Number to Your Countdown

Now, add the numbers for the countdown, e.g., if you want a 10-second countdown, type in the number “10”. You can pick a basic text effect and manually enter the number.

After you’ve created the number, go to the timeline and control how long the number will appear and when it will disappear.

Step4Add Music or Sound Effects to Your Countdown Video

FlexClip lets you upload your audio files from a local folder, or you can select one from FlexClip’s library. Once you’re done adding the countdown music, you can trim the duration, set it to start and end at any time, and use the fade-in/out effect to make the music match your countdown. Plus, you can also adjust the volume to make the music softer.

Step5Preview and Export Your Countdown Video

You can preview it to see how the countdown video will look in the end, finally, hit export, and you’re done!

Method 3: Make a Countdown Timer with a Graphic Design Platform

Today’s graphic design platforms give designers more options than ever before, but many designers struggle to make the most of these resources. Let us share some tips and tricks on designing a countdown timer using the tools available through Canva, a graphic design platform.

Canva

Many types of graphic design software are available, and Canva is one of the best. While its critics may disagree, Canva is an undeniable tool to help millions of business owners and marketers improve their social media graphics and redesign their brand image without needing to learn graphic design.

Key Features:

Drag and drop feature
Free templates
Background Removal Tool
Canva Brand Kit
Magic Resizing

How to make a countdown animation with Canva

Canva offers a range of great-looking countdown templates that’ll help you create one in just a few minutes. And if you need a simple countdown animation, you can download one of their free templates. Let’s make it from scratch:

Step1Select The Background

With Canva, you get a wide range of free backgrounds. Click on the button labeled “Search.” Now choose the “light old film” background element and click Add.

Step2Enter Your Text (Number)

Then select the text tab and choose any font style, color, and size.

Step3Animate Text

Next, select the font again, and then, at the top, there’s an option for Text Animation.

Adding text animation to your countdown timer will make it more realistic and match your background better than a straight-up countdown timer.

Step4Edit The Page Timing

Next, click on the “Edit Timing” option. You can set the timer for each page as per your choice

Step5Duplicate The Page

Now, select the duplicate page option and change the number of duplicate pages from 3 to 2,1, with the same design and formatting.

Step6Export / Download Video

You’re finally done! Click the Download button to export your design.

The background of this photo is not a static image, so you cannot select the JPG, PNG, or SVG. You must choose an MP4 video or a GIF when creating an animation.

Top 10 animated countdown effects to make your video like a Pro

Animated countdown effects are a great way to add some “pizzazz” to a simple video. They look awesome and are extremely effective in creating a memorable video. When used well, they can add some excitement to a boring video. We’ll go over the top 10 animated countdown effects from Filmstock

Cool Countdown

Fitness Countdown

Cinematic Countdown

Neon Countdown

Cyber Countdown

Digital Countdown Pack

Big Metal Countdown

Glitch Countdown Transition

Countdown To New Year

Flashing Light Countdown

How to use these effects in Wondershare Filmora

You can access Filmstock directly from the Filmora application or by visiting the website:

Create a new project by clicking Filmora Video Editor in the menu.
Select the audio effects tab, or go to the Audio tab, title tab. You will see the film stock option.
Click the Visit Filmstock button, and you will be taken to the Filmstock website.

After the download, the new effects will be added to your project in the appropriate section (Audio, Title, Transitions, and Elements). You’ll also be able to preview each effect from this window.

Note: It is highly recommended to log in to Filmstock and Filmora with the same Wondershare ID.

Final Words

A countdown is a powerful tool to add suspense to your videos. It gives your audience more incentive to watch your video all the way through. Get this article, as it is the ultimate guide to making your countdown animations, plus the best video editing software, Wondershare Filmora.

Wondershare Filmora is an excellent place to be creative and make some terrific countdown timers that can improve your viewers’ overall experience. Use their templates to create a strong and engaging online presence. Your audience won’t be able to resist the mesmerizing, hypnotizing, and enthralling effects of Wondershare Filmora.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

What are the benefits of using a countdown timer for videos/live streams?

Let’s now dive deep into methods of creating countdown animation for videos.

Method 1: Make a Countdown Animation with a Professional Video Editing Software

The most common trend today is video content creation, and it’s everywhere. Videos are not only entertaining, but they have a significant impact on audience retention.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

If you’re ready to make your next project more engaging and interactive, you can try the best video editing software, Wondershare Filmora !

Moreover, Wondershare has Filmstock effects that have revolutionized the world of video creators.

Let’s see some of its features that help us make animation countdown timers easily.

Rich effects for you to choose customizing countdown animation at ease.
You’re not stuck with traditional slow motion in your videos; you can add dynamism and energy to your videos with smooth animations.
It has various countdown animation templates simplify the whole process, just drag-and-drop, everything gets done.

How to make a countdown animation with Filmora

Step1Open Filmora and import the background video file from the media section.

Step2After importing the video, go to elements options from the top tab.

Step3After choosing elements, you’ll see the countdown tab on your left. Click on the countdown and choose any animation. You can adjust the animation duration, size, and audio.

Step4Adjust the animation duration according to the background video, and finally, export your animated countdown timer.

Pros and Cons of using Video Editing Software to make a countdown animation

Pros

You can save any countdown effects project as a project to be used in future videos.
You can create a vision of your brand concept in your way.
Free templates are available according to your brand and target audience.
More stable.

Cons

Standard out-of-the-box video editing software isn’t enough to create a professional-quality video.

Method 2: Generate the timer with Free Online Countdown Timer Video Generators

There are many countdown timer websites like;Biteable ,Kapwing ,Movavi ,and MakeWebVideo . But we’ve rounded up the best countdown video generator site you’ll ever see: