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Free subtitles in Shotcut: import an SRT and burn it in

Updated 9 November 2026 · by Szymon at szy.monster

Shotcut, the free open-source editor, has had a Subtitles panel since version 22.12. It can import SRT files, show them on the timeline and burn them into the video. Pair it with a free SRT from Whisper and the whole workflow costs nothing.

1. Make the SRT

Open AutoSubtitler, drop in your video and press Make subtitles. Download the .srt when it's done. The video never leaves your computer.

2. Open the Subtitles panel

In Shotcut, choose View › Subtitles. The panel lists subtitle tracks and their items.

3. Import the SRT

In the Subtitles panel's menu, choose Import SRT (sometimes shown as Import from file), pick the .srt, and confirm the language. A subtitle track appears on the timeline.

4. Edit

Select a subtitle in the panel to change its text, start or end. You can also adjust the timing on the timeline.

5. Burn in or keep separate

• To draw the subtitles into the picture, use Burn In Subtitles from the panel menu. This adds a text filter you can style with a font, size, colour and outline.
• If you export to a container that supports subtitle tracks, such as MKV, Shotcut can include them as a separate track that viewers switch on and off.
• You can also export the track back to an .srt file from the panel menu.

Tips

• Shotcut's menu labels have changed a little between releases. If an item isn't where this guide says, look in the Subtitles panel's menu (the ☰ button).
• Using Linux? AutoSubtitler runs in any modern browser, so there's nothing to install.

Also free and open source: Kdenlive.