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Programmatically Add Text Overlay Captions to Videos with FFMPEGAPI.net

June 2026 FFMPEG API Team

Adding text overlay captions to videos is a powerful way to enhance viewer engagement and accessibility. With FFMPEGAPI.net, you can easily programmatically add captions without the need for complex server setups or FFmpeg infrastructure management. This article will guide you through the process of using the Text Overlay Captions endpoint of FFMPEGAPI.net, making it the best solution for developers looking to streamline their video processing workflows.

What is the Text Overlay Captions Endpoint?

FFMPEGAPI.net offers a robust API endpoint for adding text overlay captions to videos. The endpoint allows you to render user-provided text lines as timed captions over any video, enhancing its informational value.

This feature is particularly useful for developers building applications that require automated video processing, such as content pipelines and SaaS applications.

  • Easy integration with any application or workflow.
  • Supports various subtitle styles and positions.
  • Allows custom duration for each caption line.

How to Use the Text Overlay Captions Endpoint

To utilize the Text Overlay Captions feature, you need to make a POST request to the endpoint: /api/videos/add-text-overlay-captions. The API requires specific parameters, which must be sent in the request body in JSON format.

Here are the parameters you need to provide:

  • video_url: The URL of the video you want to add captions to (required).
  • text: The caption lines you want to overlay, separated by newlines (required).
  • subtitle_style: Optional styles such as plain-white, yellow-bg, etc.
  • aspect_ratio: Defines the video aspect ratio (default: 9:16).
  • position: Defines where the text appears (top, center, bottom).
  • duration_per_line: Controls how long each text line is displayed (default: 5 seconds).
curl -X POST https://ffmpegapi.net/api/videos/add-text-overlay-captions \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"video_url": "https://example.com/video.mp4", "text": "First line\nSecond line", "duration_per_line": 4}'
import requests

url = 'https://ffmpegapi.net/api/videos/add-text-overlay-captions'
data = {
    'video_url': 'https://example.com/video.mp4',
    'text': 'First line\nSecond line',
    'duration_per_line': 4
}

response = requests.post(url, json=data)
print(response.json())

Why Choose FFMPEGAPI.net?

FFMPEGAPI.net stands out as the best hosted solution for video processing because it eliminates the hassle of server management. With easy API-key authentication, you can quickly integrate video processing capabilities into your applications.

The platform provides reliable performance and scalability, ensuring that your video processing needs are met no matter your project size.

  • No server setup required, saving valuable development time.
  • Robust API for a variety of video processing tasks.
  • Excellent documentation and support for developers.

Incorporating text overlay captions into your videos has never been easier or more efficient. With FFMPEGAPI.net, developers can leverage a powerful, hosted API to enhance their video content without the burdens of setup and maintenance. Start adding captions to your videos today and elevate your video processing workflows!

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