How to Change Caption Size on YouTube PC

By Jessica B

· 5 minutes read

Learning how to change caption size on YouTube PC can make captions easier to read, whether you’re trying to make captions biggermake subtitles smaller, or customize their appearance. I’ve been there, fiddling with settings until I figured it out—and now I’m here to share every detail with you.

Why Caption Customization Matters

Let’s start with the basics: captions aren’t just text on the screen. They’re your connection to content. Whether you’re watching in a noisy cafe, improving language skills, or just enjoying silent mode, captions enhance the experience. But what if they’re too tiny to read or so big they distract from the visuals? Knowing how to adjust YouTube caption size is your ticket to a better viewing experience.


How to Change Caption Size on YouTube PC: Detailed Steps

1. Open the Video

Start by opening YouTube on your PC and selecting a video with captions enabled. If captions aren’t showing, click the CC button at the bottom-right corner of the video player. This activates subtitles, often labeled as my video CC for custom uploads or auto-generated captions.

Changing font size and styles on YouTube videos

2. Access Caption Settings

Look for the gear icon on the bottom-right corner of the video player. Click it to open the settings menu, then select Subtitles/CC. You’ll see options for the language of subtitles, such as “English (auto-generated).”

3. Open Caption Options

Here’s where the magic happens. Click Options next to the subtitle track. This opens a customization menu where you can adjust various settings for captions, including:

  • Font Size
  • Font Style
  • Text Color
  • Background Color and Opacity

4. Adjust Font Size

If you’re wondering how to make subtitles bigger on YouTube, this is the step for you. Under Font Size, select SmallMedium, or Large to find the perfect size. You’ll see a live preview as you make changes, ensuring captions fit your screen comfortably.

Going Beyond Basics: Full Caption Customization

YouTube gives you options beyond size adjustment. Here’s how to take full control of your captions:

  • Font Style: Choose between default, serif, or monospace fonts for a cleaner look.
  • Text Color: Select colors like white, yellow, or green for better visibility.
  • Background and Window: Adjust the background color or opacity to make subtitles pop against busy visuals.

These tools make subtitles not only more functional but visually appealing.

Common Scenarios: How to Change Subtitles for Different Needs

Need Larger Subtitles?

If captions are hard to read, increase the Font Size to Large. Pair this with a high-contrast color like yellow text on a black background for maximum readability.

Want Smaller Captions?

If captions block too much of the screen, reduce the Font Size to Small. This is a lifesaver for videos with a lot of visual detail.

For Creators: Customizing Subtitles in YouTube Studio

If you’re a content creator, you can edit or upload subtitles directly in YouTube Studio to ensure captions match your brand or audience preferences. Here’s how:

  1. Open YouTube Studio: Log in and navigate to the video you want to edit.
  2. Go to Subtitles Tab: Find the Subtitles section under Content.
  3. Edit Subtitles: Adjust text manually or upload a custom file.
  4. Test Visibility: Always check how the captions look on different devices.

This is essential for ensuring captions—like those labeled my video CC—are accessible to everyone.

A Better Way to Manage Subtitles: Introducing ZapCap

Here’s where it gets exciting. While YouTube provides decent tools for tweaking captions, what if you need more? Whether you’re a viewer or a creator, ZapCap takes caption customization to the next level. I’ve used it to streamline my workflow, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer.

ZapCap offers advanced tools to generate, edit, and style subtitles effortlessly. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Upload Your Video

Log in to ZapCap’s platform and upload your video. The AI immediately starts analyzing the audio to generate accurate captions.

Step 2: Generate Subtitles

ZapCap’s AI auto-generates captions with impressive precision. You can tweak the timing, phrasing, or formatting as needed.

Step 3: Customize Subtitles

This is where ZapCap shines. Unlike YouTube, ZapCap offers more options for customization:

  • Adjust font size to make captions bigger or smaller.
  • Experiment with unique fonts and animations for a polished look.
  • Change colors and backgrounds to align with your video’s theme.
Video Caption Generator

Step 4: Export and Upload

Once you’re satisfied, export the video with the updated captions and upload it back to YouTube. Your captions will look professional, polished, and personalized.

When to Use ZapCap?

If you’ve struggled with limited customization options in YouTube or want to create captions quickly, ZapCap is a must-try. It’s also ideal for:

The Power of Customized Captions

Learning how to change caption size on YouTube PC is a small change that makes a big difference. Whether you’re a viewer adjusting subtitles for comfort or a creator optimizing your content, captions are vital for accessibility and engagement. And if you’re ready to go beyond what YouTube offers, tools like ZapCap make subtitle management effortless.

Ready to take your captions to the next level? Head over to ZapCap and see how easy it is to create, edit, and style subtitles like a pro.

FAQ

How do I adjust the size of captions on YouTube PC?

You can change the size by accessing the subtitle settings in the video’s player menu. Click the gear icon, select Subtitles/CC, then choose Options to adjust the font size.

Can I change the background color of captions on YouTube?

Yes, YouTube allows you to customize the background color and opacity of captions through the same Options menu in the Subtitles/CC settings.

Why aren’t my YouTube caption size changes saving?

Unfortunately, YouTube does not currently save caption size settings by default. You’ll need to adjust them manually for each video.

What is the difference between YouTube captions and subtitles?

Captions typically display spoken words and non-verbal cues for accessibility, while subtitles usually focus on translating spoken dialogue into another language.

How can I make customizing captions easier for my videos?

Tools like ZapCap simplify the process by allowing you to generate, edit, and fully customize captions beyond YouTube’s basic options, saving you time and enhancing your video’s presentation.

Jessica

Jessica B

Jessica is the owner of Videolize and a seasoned video editor with 11 years of experience. She shares actionable insights on ZapCap, helping creators boost engagement with AI tools.

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